Simon piling up rushing yards
Tailback closing in on U of R record
Moreover, Simon needs only 106 yards to tie Hughes’ all-time Rams rushing-yardage record of 2,934.
“It was cool to find out that I was able to get in the same conversation with people like Jason Clermont and Neal Hughes,” Simon says leading up to Saturday’s regular season finale against the host UBC Thunderbirds.
“In the moment, I don’t really think about it much, because I have a lot more to worry about in terms of the season, but I’m sure that a couple of years from now I’m going to look back on this and think that it’s pretty cool.” Atlee Simon is enjoying quite a run.
The University of Regina Rams’ tailback has rushed for 549 yards over his team’s last three Canada West football games.
Simon had 250 yards over the first four contests before erupting for single-game totals of 163, 205 and 181.
“Our offence in general has really picked up,” Simon says. “Our Oline has been meshing really well together. We’ve had the same unit in for the last few weeks, so they’ve gotten some confidence and continuity together and they’re making a lot of nice holes.
“I’ve changed my running style a bit, just to mesh with them a little bit better. I’m running a little more patiently and letting the holes open up. Overall, it’s working out really well.”
The catalyst was the 163-yarder Sept. 29 in a 50-40 victory over the host University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
During the three-game stretch that began in Saskatoon, Simon is averaging 7.8 yards per carry — compared to 4.0 at the four-game mark.
“It was frustrating the first few weeks because I knew I had that ability in myself,” Simon says. “It just wasn’t translating on to the field. I knew I had to keep playing within myself and not get too frustrated.
“I just needed one game to pop and the U of S was that game for me. I just tried to not look back from there.”
Instead, Simon is savouring this run of prosperity.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he says. “It makes the soreness after the game a lot more worth it, I can tell you that.
“When you’re having fun with your teammates and we’re gaining a lot of yards, that’s what you live for when you play football. It’s definitely something I appreciate.”
Also worth appreciating is the manner in which Simon has ascended on the collegiate Rams’ all-time statistical lists.
In recent weeks, Simon has set U of R all-time records for touchdowns (29) and rushing TDs (20).
The previous record-holders were Jason Clermont (26 overall TDs) and Neal Hughes (17 rushing TDs), both of whom went on to enjoy long and successful CFL careers.