Rod Pedersen
The Saskatchewan Roughriders played host to the Edmonton Eskimos Friday evening at Mosaic Stadium in the final preseason game of 2014 for both teams. The Riders went into the match with a 1-0 exhibition record after a 21-17 victory over Ottawa the week before while the Eskimos were 0-1 after falling 14-11 at home to B.C. in the first week of preseason play. Here’s the game log from the broadcast booth:
– Regina was pounded by a slow and steady rain all day long on game day. At the 7:07 pm kickoff, there were light rainshowers with a temperature of 23 degrees Celsius and a southwest wind at 20 km/h
– The Riders were in their home green uniforms with green pants and helmets while the Eskimos wore their road white uniforms with green pants and gold helmets.
– There were 134 players in uniform for the clash: 71 for the Riders and 64 for the Eskimos.
– The Riders won the coin toss and deferred. The Eskimos elected to take the football to open the game, and started out defending the south endzone.
– Edmonton’s first drive began at their 23 with Mike Reilly at quarterback. The kickoff from Chris Milo traveled 70 yards. They managed one first down via penalty before punting.
– Saskatchewan’s first drive commenced at the Edmonton 51 after a Marshay Green return. Darian Durant was behind centre. They were 2-and-out after incomplete passes to Taj Smith and Ryan Smith.
– Edmonton took over for a second time at their 31. On 1st-and-20 Rider DE John Chick sacked Mike Reilly. They ended up punting from their 16.
– Riders’ second drive began at the 55 after another Marshay Green return. Keith Toston was the starting tailback and rumbled for 11 yards on his first carry. On the next play he fumbled and Edmonton recovered at their 25. TURNOVERS: RIDERS 1 ESKIMOS 0.
– Edmonton’s third drive. Two-and-out.
– Marshay Green fumbled the return and the Esks got it at the Rider 32. TURNOVERS: RIDERS 2 ESKIMOS 0. Eskimos ended up punting after a major foul on tackle Thaddeus Coleman.
– Riders’ third series began at their 5. Anthony Allen was in at tailback. They moved it up to their own 54 before punting.
– Edmonton got it for a fourth time at their 13 after a 46-yard Josh Bartel punt. They were 2-and-out on two incompletions which were nearly picked by the Riders’ Rod Williams and Tristan Jackson.
– Riders’ fourth series began at the Esks’ 37 after another Green return, this one 14 yards. The drive carried over into the second quarter. Net yards in the opening quarter were Riders 92-Eskimos 7.
AFTER ONE: RIDERS 0 ESKIMOS 0
– The Riders opened the second period 2nd-and-9 at the Edmonton 26. On the first play Durant heaved a 26-yard TD pass to Taj Smith in the left corner of the north endzone. Riders led 7-0 just 0:14 into the frame. It was a 4-play, 38-yard drive.
– Eskimo ball at their 47. They got to the Rider 42 before receiver Adarius Bowman fumbled and the Riders took over at their own 33. TURNOVERS: RIDERS 2 ESKIMOS 1.
– On that fifth Rider series, they went backwards and wound up punting from their 30. Rookie tailback Jermaine Thomas was tackled for a 3-yard loss on first down and on second down Durant’s pass intended for Taj Smith was incomplete.
– Edmonton took over for a sixth time at their 45 with 11:49 to go in the half. On first down Rider newcomer David Lee sacked Mike Reilly. They punted
– Riders got it at the Edmonton 45 after a 29-yard return by rookie Ryan Smith. Riders went up 14-0 on a 39-yard TD toss from Durant to Taj Smith. It was a 5-play, 45-yard drive.
– Esks took over at their 35. Grant Shaw hit a 50-yard punt single.
– Riders took over at their 35-yard line but were 2-and-out after a Keith Toston run and a Chaz Schilens reception.
– Edmonton got it at their 14. They got to the Rider 45 before punting. Shaw hit a 50-yard punt single making it 14-2 Riders with 0:25 left in the half.
– Rider ball at their 35. They knelt down to grind out the clock. Durant finished the half 7/11 for 113 yards and two touchdowns with three yards rushing on one carry.
AT THE BREAK: RIDERS 14 ESKIMOS 2
– The Eskimos got the ball to open the second half, opening at their 28. They defended the north endzone with Matt Nichols at QB. First play 59 yards to Nate Coehorn to the Rider 24. Three plays later Nichols heaved a 20-yard TD toss to Adarius Bowman. 14-9 Riders just 2:18 into the second half.
– Riders began at the Edmonton 52 after a 55-yard return by Isaiah Sweeney. Sophomore Tino Sunseri quarterbacked the Riders. First pass was incomplete and he took a sack on second down. 2-and-out.
– Edmonton got it at their 16. Sophomore tailback John White ripped off a 41-yard touchdown to finish the drive giving the Eskimos a 16-14 lead with 8:50 to go in the third. It was a 4-play, 94-yard drive.
– Riders trailed for the first time as they started at their 34 after a second Isaiah Sweeney return. Sunseri was picked off by Edmonton DE Cameron Sheffield at the Edmonton 49. TURNOVERS: RIDERS 3 ESKIMOS
– Eskimos go 2-and-out.
– Saskatchewan took over at their 23. 2-and-out again.
– Eskimo ball at their 45. 13 penalties for 110 yards to this point in the game for Edmonton. They went 2-and-out.
– Rider ball at their 37 with 1:32 to go in the third period. The drive carried over into the fourth quarter on some nice runs and receptions by first-year tailback Keith Toston.
AFTER THREE: ESKIMOS 16 RIDERS 14
– The drive stalled at the Edmonton 21 and the field goal unit came on led by rookie kicker John Mark. He hit the left upright for a dead ball and the Riders came away with no points. Riders continued to trail by two with 13:08 to go.
– Eskimo ball at their 25. Nichols still the pivot. 2-and-out.
– Rider ball at their 52 with Seth Doege at QB. 2-and-out. On first down Seth dropped a 45-yard pass in Isaiah Sweeney’s stomach but he dropped it.
– Edmonton ball at their 28 with 10:58 to go. 2-and-out.
– Rider ball at their 25 with Adam Weber at QB. On 2nd-and-9 he put a 20-yard pass in Dan DePalma’s hands but he dropped it. 2-and-out.
– Attendance 15,353.
– Eskimos took it over at their 30 with Nichols still calling signals. They managed one first down on a Patrick Robertson reception before punting.
– Rider ball at their 24 with 6:29 left an Seth Doege back in at QB. 2-and-out. He aired it out for Alex Pierzchalski but couldn’t connect at the 55.
– Eskimo ball at their 29 with 5:03 remaining. Pat White was at QB but he couldn’t move the ball. Punt.
– Rider ball at their 36 with 2:10 to go after a penalty on their return team. Weber at QB. They turned it over on downs after a drop by Sweeney on 3rd-and-6. TURNOVERS: RIDERS 4 ESKIMOS 1
– Eskimo possession at the Rider 40. They got to the Rider 25-yard line before attempting a 32-yard Hugh O’Neill field goal. He struck it through with 0:13 remaining for a 19-14 lead.
– Riders needed a touchdown to win starting at their 35 with Seth Doege at QB. First down to Jordan Sisco to the Rider 51. On the final play Doege’s Hail Mary pass was knocked down to the end the game.
GAME OVER: ESKIMOS 19 RIDERS 14
POSTGAME COMMENTS FROM RIDER HEAD COACH COREY CHAMBLIN
– I wanted the win and didn’t get that. We saw some evaluations and when it was on the line we saw how some guys played. We evaluated the top end and the bottom end of the roster. Some guys didn’t make plays and during the season those are plays you need to make.
– With the backs, I have to look at film. Toston and Allen did some good things. We have a long ways to go and it’s going to be a work in process.
– Edmonton was sloppy and kept us in it some times. But there are some things we needed to clean up too but in the end we’ll be good.
– I was happy with what I saw from the things in the first half. But we gave up some big plays in the second half. We can’t be a 50/50 team.
– I was disappointed in the way we came out with the 1’s on defense in the third quarter. I told them that’s now how we come out. I told them to get it done on the field, don’t talk off the field
– The running back position will be by committee for now. There’s still something to be proven there. Maybe I’ll see something on film that stands out but we need more out of that position.
– I do ask Darian questions about players like what’s their demeanour and different things. But there’s a lot of guys in these decisions, like George Cortez for instance. Darian is always one guy we ask.
– Taj Smith is on pace to be a big time receiver in this league. We’ve moved him around to give him the best opportunities. He’s just got to make his mind up to be that player.
– There’s only so many positions to go around. It’s tough to get released or get fired if you’re on my side of things. I told the guys that even if they don’t make it, they could get called back whether it be because of injury whatever. You’re always playing to make a team.
**The Roughriders kickoff the 2014 season on Sunday, June 29 at home against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a Grey Cup rematch in a 5:00 kickoff.
