The Big Kahuna Rams’ new-look defence – which head coach Chris Butschler promised would confuse and confound opposing teams – did its job Saturday, leading the team to a 9-3 win over the Chilliwack Huskers.

And though the offence sputtered in the opening week of the B.C. Football Conference season – seven of the Rams’ nine points were scored by new kicker Curtis Glawson, while the other two came on a safety – the defence held strong.

“We didn’t play well – the score doesn’t really do the game justice,” Butschler said.

“We turned the ball over a lot, and each (turnover) was inside their 30-yard line. Offensively, we’re a work in progress, but it’s still a win.”

And though the offence failed to manufacture a touchdown, the South Surrey club’s defence kept the Huskers at bay, limiting them to just one field goal, which came off the foot of Jason Dumas in the second quarter.

Defensive lineman Lincoln Bryan led the team with six tackles, and Andrew Doherty had the Rams’ only sack.

New defensive back Jordan Linnen also had one interception.

“The defence was very good, and (defensive co-ordinator Corey Goff) still wasn’t completely happy with it, so that’s good,” Butschler said.

Offensively, however, the Rams sputtered as they tried to grasp the team’s new up-tempo offence, which had just 40 plays in the playbook for Week 1.

They fumbled twice – once on Chilliwack’s one-yard line – and quarterback Cam Clark also threw a pair of interceptions.

“It wasn’t Cam’s best game as a Ram, but we have a new offence so it’ll take some time to figure out,” Butschler explained.

“But give the Huskers some credit, too. They confused Cam and stopped the run.”

Clark finished the day 14-for-21 in passing, for a total of 185 yards.

Xavier Johnson was the Big Kahuna’s top pass-catcher, with 134 yards on nine receptions.

Butschler was also not completely happy with the team’s running game, which was led by Kyle Willis, who finished with a team-high 49 yards.

By comparision, Chilliwack’s top rusher, Zack Dention, finished with 93 yards, while backup Adann Hendrickson added 65.

The kicking game was far from perfect, too. Though Glawson hit on two field goals – the longest from 42 yards out – he missed on three more.

First-game rust aside, Butschler said the win was still important, and will hopefully provide his troops with a boost as they prepare for a much tougher opponent tomorrow (Saturday) against the national champion Vancouver Island Raiders, who are led by running back Andrew Harris.

“We’ve got some problems to fix, for sure, and we’re not going to be close if we don’t fix them,” Butschler said.

“But they’re mostly small things. We’re closer (to being a top team) than a lot of people realize.”

Nick Greenizan