Rob Vanstone: “Whatever happens, we’re all going to have a home” — the Roughriders’ quarterback keepers
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ quarterbacks didn’t really have anyone in their faces until after the game.
The B.C. Lions were unable to sack Jake Dolegala, Shea Patterson or Mason Fine on Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium, where the home team won 30-27.
But once the dressing room was opened to reporters, everyone rushed toward the three Roughriders passers — each of whom had impressed during the CFL pre-season game.
Dolegala, Patterson and Fine were seated side-by-side-by-side. Dolegala, situated in the middle, was the first to field questions from the media mob.
“I’m their biggest fan right now,” Dolegala said of Patterson and Fine. “It was great to see both of them go out there and ball.
“Obviously, they had struggles — I had struggles, too — but we all bounced back, which was awesome.”
Dolegala completed 12 of 17 passes for 97 yards while playing most of the first half. He also ran three times for 23 yards, including a one-yard touchdown.
Patterson, who was next in line, went 10-for-14 for 77 yards and one TD.
Then came Fine, who opened up with an interception before completing eight of his final nine passes for 110 yards and two TDs.
“You don’t want to press too much, because then you’ll make more mistakes,” Fine said. “You also don’t want to be hesitant and you don’t want to be timid, because then you’re not taking the shots when you want to.
“I’m just going to go out there with nothing to lose. I’ve just got to put a good showing on film and, the guys upstairs, they’ve got to make their decisions after pre-season.”
The decision became even tougher after Dolegala, Patterson and Fine helped the Roughriders amass 27 first downs, to B.C.’s 16.
“It’s got to be tough,” Patterson acknowledged, “and it’s got to be exciting for pretty much every other coach in the league as well.
“Whatever happens, we’re all going to have a home and I think we’ll all play.”
The three quarterbacks are battling for the No. 2 position behind Trevor Harris, who is to start on Friday in the pre-season finale against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“The majority of the reps next week will go to Trevor but we’re hoping that, after watching the film, we can have a little bit of clarity (regarding the other three quarterbacks),” Head Coach Craig Dickenson said.
“It may not be clear — and that’s good when you have tough decisions to make.”
PRAISING PICTON
Saturday’s game-winning touchdown, scored with 2:44 left in the fourth quarter, was a 12-yard pass from Fine to Mitch Picton.
It was the second major of the night for Picton, who had collaborated with Fine on a four-yard score earlier in the final frame.
“On that last play, I looked his way,” Fine said. “He’s going to be in the right position to make plays and he’s the smartest guy on the football field.
“On the other touchdown, it was just kind of how it happened. We both made a play.”
This is a recording.
When Fine made his CFL regular-season debut on Nov. 21, 2021 against the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats, his first four passes were completions to (who else?) Picton.
“I can always trust Mitch,” Fine noted.
That trust is shared by Dickenson, who was asked on Saturday to cite some of his team’s top performers.
“You’ve certainly got to look at what Picton did,” the Roughriders’ field boss began, “but, for Picton, it wasn’t like he had to play his way on to the team. He’s a good player and we knew that.
“He just showed again why he’s so darned valuable. He just seems to make plays out there.”
Picton scored a touchdown on both of his receptions on Saturday. Each major was on a second-down play.
Coors Light Riders Training Camp is to resume in Saskatoon on Monday — Picton’s 28th birthday.
TEITZ’S TIP
Weak-side linebacker Micah Teitz, making his first appearance in a CFL game of any description since the 2021 West Division semi-final, quickly served notice that he remains an impact player.
Teitz, who missed the 2021 West final and the entire 2022 season with a serious groin injury, made a diving pass deflection on Saturday to force a first-quarter punt.
A Dominique Davis pass toward Bryson Daughtry appeared to be earmarked for a completion until Teitz intervened.
“I’m still beating myself up about it,” he said. “I feel like I stumbled a little bit out of my break. I might have had a pick, but it’s just awesome to make a play right away, right off the bat.”
To play in a game, period, was a thrill after an extended recuperation period.
“It felt great,” said Teitz, who was named the Roughriders’ Most Outstanding Canadian in 2021.
“It feels like home — just running out and doing my thing again.
“I was so blessed and happy to be back out there.”
PATTERSON’S PAYOFF PITCH
The Roughriders’ first of three touchdown passes on Saturday was a 22-yarder from Patterson to Keith Corbin III.
Corbin III got a step on a defender down the right sideline and caught a perfectly placed pass just after crossing the goal line.
“It felt really good,” Patterson said. “I felt like we needed a spark. I saw him get press-man (coverage) and it was a no-brainer. He made a great play on the sideline for me.”
Saskatchewan was trailing 20-9 before Corbin III scored.
“We saw the cornerback come up in man (coverage),” the rookie receiver recalled. “I knew I was going to convert it to a ‘go’ route and I knew I was going to make a play.”
That he did, during a game in which he caught six passes for 60 yards.
“I just wanted to show them that I’m a guy they can count on and that I can come in as a young dude and make some plays whenever they need me,” Corbin III said. “I just want them to have faith in me.”
The Roughriders announced the signing of Corbin III on Nov. 22.
He was introduced to NCAA football with the University of Houston Cougars, for whom he caught 10 touchdown passes in 2018.
In 2021, he transferred to Jackson State and registered 69 receptions for 921 yards and seven TDs in 13 games with the Tigers.
FLAGS FRUSTRATE DICKENSON
The Roughriders were penalized seven times for 88 yards on Saturday. The numbers were not astronomical but, from Dickenson’s perspective, irksome nonetheless.
“Not good enough,” he said. “Too many, again.
“We’re going to work hard at it, and the accountability starts immediately after the game.
“I had a visit with (the players) and I feel like penalties are a result of either you’re just not winning your matchup or you’re just being selfish and not putting the needs of the team ahead of yourself.
“We’ll keep working on it. The goal is to be the least penalized and most physical team in the league. We’re certainly a long way from there, but we’re going to keep harping on it.
“If a guy continues to take penalties, that’s going to affect his ability to stay on the team.”
SHORT SNORTS
• The pre-season win was the first for Saskatchewan since June 14, 2014, when the visiting Ottawa REDBLACKS fell 21-17. The Roughriders had one tie and 12 losses to show for the next 13 pre-season games, leading up to Saturday.
- But what does it matter, really? In 2019, the Roughriders went 0-2 in the pre-season while being outscored 72-30. They went on to post a 13-5 regular-season record and finish first in the West.
- Corbin III, Kendall Watson (six catches for 62 yards) and Juwan Brescacin (six receptions, 52 yards) were the Roughriders’ co-leaders in passes caught on Saturday.
- Bryan Cox Jr. and Christian Albright had the Roughriders’ quarterback sacks.
- Deontai Williams had Saskatchewan’s lone interception, which was followed six plays and 50 yards later by Patterson’s TD toss to Corbin III.
- Both of the Roughriders’ prospective punters performed well. Incumbent Kaare Vedvik averaged 45.5 yards on two punts. Newcomer Adam Korsak averaged 44.7 yards on three boots. Net averages (punting yardage less returns): Korsak, 40.3; Vedvik, 39.0.
