Robservations: The other side of 19-9 … timely turnovers part of Riders’ routine … the great D-bate … and the Saturday shout-outs

Resplendent in alternate uniforms, the Saskatchewan Roughriders turned in an alternate 19-9 performance.

Instead of falling by that score, as they did in their sixth game of the 2023 season, the resurgent Roughriders improved to 5-1 by defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 19-9 on Friday before 29,649 eyewitnesses at Mosaic Stadium.

On July 22 of last year, the Roughriders were held to three Brett Lauther field goals at BC Place during an atypically low-scoring CFL game.

Last night, placekicker Sergio Castillo handled the Blue Bombers’ scoring, such as it was, as the Obsidian-clad Saskatchewan side registered a workmanlike victory.

“It was a dogfight,” offensive tackle Jacob Brammer said. “In the trenches, that’s all you can ask for. Put it on our back and run the ball.”

Saskatchewan registered a season-high 132 rushing yards, 88 of which were produced by A.J. Ouellette during a 17-carry performance that left a few marks on the bruising ball-carrier and, especially, anyone who dared to stand in his way.

“That’s the cowboy, man,” Head Coach Corey Mace said. “That’s the wear and tear on a physical runner but, as you saw, he peeled himself off the turf and escorted himself off.”

After a five-yard gain late in the fourth quarter, a limping Ouellette was spelled by Clint Ratkovich, who had the Roughriders’ final three carries.

Earlier, Ratkovich scored Saskatchewan’s only touchdown, on a play that accentuated Ouellette’s importance to the offence.

On second-and-two from Winnipeg’s 15-yard line, Shea Patterson faked a handoff to Ouellette in convincing fashion. Meanwhile, Ratkovich — a first-year CFL fullback — slipped behind the Blue Bombers’ defence and into the end zone before Patterson hit a wide-open target for six points.

From the Blue Bombers’ perspective, Ouellette’s battering-ram presence created the imperative of honouring the run, setting the table for what proved to be the game-winning TD.

“When I think about and envision what Saskatchewan Roughriders football looks like, and the mentality and toughness of what that looks like, I see A.J.,” Head Coach Corey Mace said of Ouellette, who signed with Saskatchewan as a free agent in February after being named an East Division All-Star in back-to-back seasons as a member of the Toronto Argonauts.

“It’s not just him. It’s a physical game for a lot of people. There’s a lot of guys in there banged up. And it’s not just us. It’s every team.

“It comes down to, ‘What are you willing to do when you feel like that?’ We had a lot of guys really push through tonight and be selfless to try to get a win for their brothers.”

Brammer, for example, turned in a robust performance at right tackle in place of two-time CFL All-Star Jermarcus Hardrick, whose quad injury could be a season-ender.

After receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker left the game in the first half, rookie Ajou Ajou — a seventh-round draft choice! — filled a considerable void by catching four passes for 110 yards.

Patterson improved his record as the Roughriders’ starting quarterback to 2-1. He has been behind centre for 3½ games, actually, following a knee injury that landed Trevor Harris on the six-game injured list.

Last year, in the Roughriders’ first game after Harris suffered a tibial plateau fracture of his right knee, they suffered the aforementioned 19-9 loss in Vancouver.

When the Green and White was last seen at BC Place, the result was a 35-20 Lions victory. The players, clearly rankled by their first loss of the season, rebounded six days later against Winnipeg.

“It’s just the resilience,” middle linebacker Jameer Thurman said. “Guys answered.

“It didn’t feel good losing last week, but guys came back, bounced back, got into the film on a short week, and got into the meeting rooms.

“We did what we needed to do and we came out with a win.”

In so doing, they re-established their identity as an opportunistic team that typically transforms timely turnovers into two points. For example …

July 8: Two forced fumbles were crucial as Saskatchewan scored 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points and defeated the host Edmonton Elks 29-21.

July 16: C.J. Avery’s interception with 33 seconds left in the fourth quarter set up a Lauther field goal that gave Saskatchewan a 33-30 victory over the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

July 23: Thurman’s 28-yard interception-return touchdown late in the third quarter helped Saskatchewan assume a 25-7 lead over Hamilton. The Roughriders went on to win 36-20 at Mosaic Stadium.

July 4: With the score tied 20-20, Marcus Sayles returned an interception 54 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown against the visiting Argonauts, who ultimately lost 30-23.

July 19: Trailing 13-6 in the fourth quarter, the Bombers erupted for a 50-yard connection from Zach Collaros to Nic Demski. However, Thurman forced a Demski fumble on Saskatchewan’s 25-yard line and Sayles recovered the ball. Saskatchewan assumed possession with 2:34 left and moved 57 yards before a Lauther field goal made it a two-possession game.

“Those are things that we talk about as far as capitalizing on opportunities,” Mace said.

“(Thurman) saw an opportunity where the ball was exposed and he intentionally got that joker out of there.

“Thank goodness the guys are buying into what we talk about. STB — Sprint To Ball.

“Only good things happen when you run to the ball.”

And when you don’t run from adversity.

TOUGH CHOICE

OK, quick … who is the Roughriders’ Most Outstanding Defensive Player?

Put your hand up if you think it’s Thurman.

Now, who votes for Rolan Milligan Jr.?

How do you choose between them?

Thurman has been an absolute force at middle linebacker, as evidenced by 31 defensive tackles, a league-high three fumble recoveries, the aforementioned pick-six, and Friday’s pivotal forced fumble.

Milligan Jr., whose four interceptions lead the CFL, is also the pace setter in pass knockdowns — nine, including four on Friday — and special teams tackles (11).

Good luck with this one.

Discuss …

FULL MARCS FOR THE VICTORY

In addition to throwing 25 passes on Friday, Patterson tossed a bouquet to Marc Mueller.

“We’ve got a heck of an offensive co-ordinator,” the 27-year-old Roughriders quarterback said. “I love working with him.”

As a follow-up, Patterson was asked what in particular stood about Mueller.

“A lot of stuff was open,” was the response. “A lot of stuff was open in the B.C. game, too.

“I’m just spending more time with him as the weeks go on and building that relationship.”

Patterson met the media after the Roughriders improved to 5-1 for the seventh time in the franchise’s post-Second World War history.

The other 5-1 starts were in 1967, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1976 and 2013.

For every team except the latter, the Roughriders’ starting quarterback was Mueller’s grandfather, Ron Lancaster.

ROLL CREDITS …

• Nice people who deserve a plug: Kyla Thomson, Lyle Thomson, Petra Mace, Dave Ehman, Courtney Ehman, Jason Abdeljalil, Len Koltun, Jeff Koltun, Kieran Koltun, Karsen Koltun, Jared Tkachuk, Trent Tkachuk, Kayla Scott, Jen Scott, Jeff Koltun, Robby Williams, Robert Williams, Mindy Bell, Matt Baker, Greg Mayer, Jordan Herdman-Reed, Justin Herdman-Reed, Angela Bailey, Blake Tiedeman, Mario Alford, Jacob Carr, Derek Putz, Kyle Carson, Joan Petrie, Liam Richards, Preston Young, Ron Cherkas, Bonnie Cherkas, Rod Besler, Al Johns, Greg Fieger, Clint Ratkovich, Jacob Brammer, Taylor Allen and Joe Couch.