CFL SIM: SASKATCHEWAN 26 HAMILTON 4
HAMILTON – The Saskatchewan Roughriders had to wait six quarters into the 2020 CFL SIM season before finding the endzone. But boy, was it worth the wait. Quarterback Cody Fajardo fired two touchdowns to veteran receiver Jordan Williams-Lambert over the final 30 minutes as the Roughies downed the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 26-4 to improve to 2-0.
In a computer-simulated game on Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football, it was another low-scoring slugfest in the first half at Tim Hortons Field. Rookie Ticats kicker Matthew White kicked a rouge and a 34-yard field goal while his counterpart Brett Lauther of Saskatchewan booted a pair of field goals to give Saskatchewan a 6-4 lead at the break.
Whatever adjustments new Rider offensive coordinator Jason Maas made in the locker room worked, as the Riders scored 20 points in the second half to romp to victory. Lauther notched 20- and 40-yard field goals as well, to end up 4/5 on the night.
Fajardo passed for 353 yards but was touched for two interceptions. The Ticats (1-2) suffered their second-straight loss as pivot Jeremiah Masoli threw for 271 yards. Marcus Davis led all Ticats receivers with 66 yards on 7 grabs while Sean Thomas-Erlington added 42 yards rushing. Jumal Rolle and Cariel Brooks came up with the picks.
WR Shaq Evans had a big night for the Riders totalling 97 yards on 4 receptions while rookie Carlos Henderson racked up 84 yards. Williams-Lambert wound up with 83 yards as Fajardo distributed the ball well; Brayden Lenius (1/36), Kyran Moore (2/30), Mitch Picton (2/13) and William Powell (3/10). Powell also added 25 rushing yards.
The game was hyped as a Grey Cup preview and adding to the fun were viewers Shawn Lemon and Brayden Lenius who chimed in on the Facebook Live broadcast comments section. Country recording artist Alex Runions performed a live set at halftime while Kelly Bruce performed the national anthem.
The Ticats have a Week 4 bye while the Roughriders return home to host the BC Lions on Saturday, July 4 at Mosaic Stadium.
Week 3 in the CFL SIM continues Friday with Calgary at Winnipeg and closes on Saturday with Edmonton at BC. Both games will be simulated at www.twitch.tv/nhacker49.
