It wasn’t as ugly as a loss as the Labour Day rematch in Winnipeg nearly three weeks ago, but it was still not pretty for the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the green and white 31-13 at IG Field.
The Riders committed six turnovers in the loss including turning the ball over on downs three times.
A key turnover was an interception thrown by Riders QB Cody Fajardo late in the second quarter, the pass was intended for receiver Tevin Jones, it appeared the receiver did not see the ball coming towards him. Jamal Parker recorded the interception.
Trailing 17-3 after the first half, the Roughriders made a game of it in the third quarter when Fajardo converted on a third and one situation and scored a touchdown and closed the gap within seven points.
In the beginning of the fourth quarter, Saskatchewan had an opportunity to tie the game as they were driving deep in Winnipeg’s end. With the drive stalled at the six, the head coach Craig Dickenson elected to kick a field goal to make the score 17-13 in favour for Winnipeg.
The Blue Bombers would deliver the knockout blow on the ensuing drive, a two play possession was wrapped up by a 42 yard touchdown catch by Nic Demski.
Dalton had four receptions and 125 yards receiving for the Bombers. QB Zach Collaros and Demski continue to haunt their former team. Demski had 94 yards receiving with 21 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns. Collaros had 296 yards passing with four touchdowns.
Fajardo was 26/38 for 307 yards with a rushing touchdown along with an interception. Kian Schaffer-Baker led the receivers with three catches for 110 yards. Kyran Moore had ten receptions for 76 yards.
Saskatchewan’s record drops down to 6-9. The Riders next action is Friday when they travel to Hamilton and meet the Ti-Cats.
Post Game Thoughts
Despite the loss, Dickenson was trying to look at the positive side of his team’s performance.
“That group in there is working their tail, that was a physical game, that was certainly much closer game than the score indicated and I felt like we came together as a team in a lot of ways and I was proud of the guys.”
The goal remains to be in the Grey Cup in Regina according to the Riders head coach.
“That’s a long ways away, but we still control our destiny and we’re going to stay positive and upbeat and push as hard as we can until they say we’re done for the year.”
Even with the losing streak continuing, Dickenson believes the bigger concern at the moment is execution.
“These guys care about each other, I just don’t think we’re playing well enough right now, but I think we can get there, and we’ll do everything we can get to get there.”
Despite the loss, defensive end, Charleston Hughes feels the Riders are heading in the right direction.
“That’s the best team in the league right now, we’ve played them multiple times, we’ve been close up to a certain point, so we got to figure out what that certain point is.” He added that once they find that turning point the green and white must execute on it.
Receiver Kyran Moore knows next Friday’s game in Hamilton is shaping up to be a must win for Saskatchewan.
“We know that’s a playoff game and we got to take care of business.”
The Riders will travel to meet Hamilton to meet the Ti-Cats on Friday.
(CKRM)
