Mitchell Blair
What was a dream season for the Saskatchewan Roughriders is currently a nightmare. After starting the season with a record of 8-1, the Riders have lost their winning formula as they dropped a 17-12 decision to the Alouettes in Montreal on Sunday for their fourth straight loss meaning they are now in 3rd place looking up at the B.C Lions and Calgary Stampeders.
The losing streak has coincided by sluggish play from the offense and that was evident again on Sunday afternoon as Darian Durant was constantly harassed, hit and hurried while the run game was virtually ignored as the team ran the ball just nine times for 15 yards.
When it was all over, Head Coach Corey Chamblin remained optimistic with the fact the game was in their grasp at the end only to have it slip through their fingers.
“The biggest thing is we showed we are a resilient football team that never gives up. “ Chamblin said. We still had a chance at the end of the game to win it. We kept the game close, but we have to start winning these games. We can’t be close and lose, we have to start winning, but we are just a play or two away again from turning a loss into a win.”
Chamblin would not use injuries as an excuse, but he will admit the offensive line is a huge area of concern right now for the lack of protection Durant is receiving as he attempts to move his unit down the field.
“We have to get healthy. We need some continuity.” Chamblin admitted after the game to 620 CKRM’s Carm Carteri. “We have to shore up some protection issues. We’ve had a lot of musical chairs there in the past few weeks. We just have to come around and start playing better ball.”
Chris Getzlaf had a big afternoon catching six balls for 124 yards. The veteran receiver was almost at a loss for words as to what had just gone on saying it’s the same old song.
“We have to move the ball and put points on the board.” a very disappointed Getzlaf said. “We had chances to score and we’re not getting points. We had the ball down at the two yard line once and couldn’t get it in and we had an interception in the endzone. If we kick a field goal, it’s a different story at the end of the game. We have to find a way to punch it in. We had a lot of chances today, but we just couldn’t capitalize for whatever reason whether it be holding a block for an extra half second or something else.”
Defensively, the team did a good job in controlling the Montreal offense for most of the game, but they did manage to forge enough big plays to get the win. Defensive lineman Keith Shologan feels this was just another one that slipped away.
“Give Montreal credit, they played well and beat us today, but this was one where we had a lot of opportunities and didn’t take advantage of them.” Shologan said. “They had a couple of big plays on us, but at the end of the day I thought we handled them pretty well.”
There isn’t much time for the team to dwell on this game as they get back on the field for what is a huge game in Vancouver against the Lions Friday night. With B.C leading the season series by verge of their 24-22 win last week, the Riders need a victory to not only straighten themselves out but avoid losing that season series to the Lions in case the two teams end up tied at the end of the regular season.
GAME NOTES:
- Punter Ricky Schmitt had 3 singles in the game to give him a league high 12
- The Riders have a record of 2-9-1 when Darian Durant attempts 40 or more passes in a game
- Geroy Simon became the CFL’s all time leading pass catcher. A ceremony to mark the occasion will be held before the next home game October 12 against Edmonton
- Weston Dressler had 92 yards receiving on the day to move him ahead of Jeff Fairholm into 3rd place in Riders history in that category.
