CFL SIM: SASKATCHEWAN 27 OTTAWA 14
REGINA – Virtual Cody Fajardo was dealing on Thursday Night Football.
In a computer-generated game on Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football, Fajardo fired touchdown passes to Jordan Williams-Lambert, Brayden Lenius and Max Zimmerman to lead the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 27-14 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks at a sold-out Mosaic Stadium.
In the opener to Week 8 in the 2020 CFL SIM season, the Green & White jumped out to a 10-0 lead after the first quarter on a 40-yard TD catch by Williams-Lambert and a 17-yard Brett Lauther field goal.
Ottawa got on the board at 7:08 of the second quarter courtesy a 31-yard Lewis Ward field goal however a 12-yard TD reception by Lenius gave the Riders at 17-3 lead at the break.
The Thursday Night Football halftime show was highlighted by a live performance by Canadian Idol’s Matt Rapley who performed a touching two-song set.
Ottawa QB Nick Arbuckle showed flashes of brilliance throughout the night and they went on an 11-0 run in the third quarter courtesy of a Rider safety, a 22-yard Ward field goal and a 23-yard scoop-and-score by CB Sherrod Baltimore. Saskatchewan led 17-14 going into the fourth quarter.
However it was all Green in the final period as Zimmerman caught a 5-yard touchdown pass at 12:46 and Lauther put the game away with a 15-yard field goal as the clock hit 0:00.
Final score: Saskatchewan 27 Ottawa 14
Fajardo finished the night with 409 yards passing, 3 TDs and 1 INT. William Powell counted 24 yards rushing. Deon Lacey and Mike Edem both came up with interceptions while Chad Geter registered the team’s lone sack.
For Ottawa, Arbuckle tossed for 268 yards and 2 INTs. John Crocket had 22 yards rushing. Cleion Lang and Michael Wakefield each sacked Fajardo while Randall Evans had a pick.
With the win the Roughriders improved to 4-2 while RedBlacks fell to 0-7. Both teams are home in Week 9 as Ottawa entertains Winnipeg and Saskatchewan receives BC.
Week 8 in the 2020 CFL SIM season continues with Winnipeg at Toronto, Hamilton at Edmonton and BC at Montreal. All games will be simulated at www.twitch.tv/nhacker49.
(Nelson Hackwich/Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football)
