RIDERS DENY “FAKING” ALLEGATIONS
As the Saskatchewan Roughriders returned to the practice field on Tuesday following Sunday’s 38-24 win over Winnipeg in the Labour Day Classic, the club denied accusations from the Blue Bombers that they were “faking” injuries in the fourth quarter of that game.
Bomber tailback Andrew Harris asserted that the Riders conveniently went down with injuries to halt play while Winnipeg was running their hurry-up offense, trying to score in a hurry and make a comeback.
“Stalling tactics?” questioned Rider DT Ese Mrabure, who was playing with a broken right hand. “I heard that before but I took a shot and I went down. That’s basically what went down.”
Cameras showed what appeared to be Mrabure smiling as he left the field for the mandated three plays.
“I wasn’t even smiling, to be honest,” Mrabure continued. “It looked like I was smiling but a trainer cracked a joke. Coming off, I was wincing in pain. Really. It looked like I was smiling, because my teeth were showing.”
Mrabure maintained that all the Rider injuries were legitimate.
“Yes,” Mrabure said. “Yes sir. Yes sir.”
Roughriders Head Coach & GM Chris Jones said he was unaware of any complaints by the Bombers regarding the timely injuries, and contends they were all legitimate.
“They (Winnipeg) play a very up-tempo style,” Jones revealed. “Again, the guys get fatigued.”
Blue Bomber radio colour commentator Doug Brown – a Hall of Fame defensive tackle – Tweeted that the Riders going down in the fourth quarter was “a new low in coaching etiquette”.
Meanwhile star Rider receiver Duron Carter reiterated his Monday Twitter rant that he was spat upon by a Blue Bombers fan before Sunday’s game even kicked off. That fan was subsequently booted from the stadium and Carter’s not asking for any further punishment.
“It’s just spit!” Carter joked on Tuesday. “It’s just spit. No police, none of that. I don’t think the dude was allowed back into the stadium. I think that’s good enough. Everybody makes mistakes.”
NOTES: Chris Jones announced running back Cameron Marshall and returner/receiver Nic Demski will be unavailable for the team’s Week 12 game due to injuries sustained in the Labour Day Classic.
The Riders visit the Blue Bombers Saturday at 1:00 in the Banjo Bowl on TSN and the 620 CKRM Rider Radio Network.
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