Mitchell Blair
The second half of the season has started with a resounding thud for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The green and white not only walked into a new stadium as they played their first game at Investors Group Field, but what they also walked into was a hornets’ nest as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers outclassed the Riders 25-13 in the back half of their home-and-home series.
The Riders struggled to get their feet underneath them offensively in the first half and it hurt them as they had to settle for field goals and touchdowns which were disturbing seeing the defense had held the Winnipeg offense to just 23 yards in the first half. Once the Bombers got some rhythm going in the first half, it became obvious that the energy they generated from playing in front of a sold-out crowd was going to lift them to only their second win of the season as they made life miserable for the Riders especially on offense where Darian Durant was sacked eight times. Head Coach Corey Chamblin was not making any excuses for what happened when it was over as he gave credit to the winners.
“The Bombers played like they had nothing to lose,” Chamblin said. “They played with a real edge to them. They had their best game today and we didn’t have ours.”
Chamblin wasn’t happy with the overall effort especially the spark or lack of it that was shown. Chamblin believes it was just a matter of not being able to get on track.
“There are lessons to be learned from that game. We can’t give up the ball and we can’t give up the long one, “Chamblin said while talking to 620 CKRM’s Carm Carteri after the game. “We can’t expect to go and blow everyone out, but we have to stay away from doing those things if we are going to be successful. It was a frustrating day, but we are still 8-2. Those guys across the room are professionals too and they are expected to make plays. We will just go back to the drawing board and look to be 1-0 next week. We’re not looking at 8-2, we are just looking at being 1-0.”
Linebacker Weldon Brown was also quick to give the Bombers credit after the game saying it was just their day.
“Those guys came to play and we had to match their intensity and bring our “A” game and it just didn’t happen.” Brown said. “They got some pep in their step from their crowd and they made it difficult for us. We made some plays, but when we needed the big play we just didn’t get it. They got a big play on special teams and it was big for them because it gave them the confidence to make more plays.”
Brown wouldn’t classify what happened as a wake-up call, but he says it is something they will learn a lesson from.
“We have to bring it each week,” Brown said. “We have to bring our “A” game each and every week because teams are out there ready to give it to us especially if we’ve beaten them already this year. The second half of the season is here and anything can happen so we have to make sure we are in right frame of mind. We will get back to practice next week and get back to the drawing board to do what we have to do to correct what happened today and bring it next week.”
One of the few highlights of the day for the football team was the play of kicker Christopher Milo. He kicked four field goals to give him 27 in 27 attempts for the season. He wasn’t about to make excuses for his team after this game, but he added that there is no reason to start questioning things.
“It wasn’t our day today, but we have a lot of character in that room. “Milo stated. “The guys are down today and for good reason. We’ll battle back though. We know we can’t win them all and this was a bump in the road, but we will get back to playing the way we know we can. We’ll work on things in practice and we’ll be ready for next week. “
The loss drops the Riders record to 8-2 leaving them tied with Calgary for first place in the West. They will be back home next Saturday night when the defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts come to town in a 730 start.
GAME NOTES:
- The Riders went into the game having committed just six turnovers in nine games. They committed eight on Sunday
- For the first time this year, Kory Sheets did not lead the team in rushing. That honor went to quarterback Darian Durant who had 92 yards.
- It took the Bombers until the 2:30 mark of the 3rd quarter to record their first first down of the game
- Before leaving the game with a lower-body injury, Rey Williams recorded his 7th sack of the year. The club lead last season in that category was 6.
