CFL SIM: SASKATCHEWAN 27 WINNIPEG 26

REGINA – In a computer-simulated CFL preseason game on Friday, Saskatchewan beat Winnipeg 27-26 at Mosaic Stadium. Veteran kicker Brett Lauther booted a 27-yard field goal with 23 seconds remaining to give the Riders the win, and even their preseason SIM record at 1-1.

Veteran quarterbacks Cody Fajardo (Roughriders) and Zach Collaros (Blue Bombers) were given the night off to rest up for the regular season. Winnipeg led 10-2 after the first quarter and 13-9 at halftime. The visitors took a 23-14 lead into the fourth quarter however the Riders rallied with 13 points in the final frame.

Newcomer James Franklin started at QB for the Riders going 7/12 for 83 yards and an interception in a quarter of action. The back-ups split the rest as Isaac Harker went 18/32 for 255 yards and a TD while rookie Justice Hansen was 14/30 for 160 yards.

Sophomore Canadian WR Brayden Lenius was the Riders leading receiver, hauling in 7 receptions for 131 yards. Veteran Jordan Williams-Lambert was productive as well, catching 10 balls for 101 yards and a TD. Seven receivers caught passes for Saskatchewan including Kyran Moore (5/26) and Shaq Evans (6/85). On the ground, William Powell led the way with 46 yards on 11 carries with a TD and a fumble. Former UofR Ram Atlee Simon carried the ball 3 times for 18 yards. Lauther was 3/3 on field goals.

Across the way, Winnipeg’s Sean McGuire started at QB going 17/36 for 174 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. Rookie Dalton Sneed of Montana went 10/15 for 133 yards. Drew Wolitarsky was the Bombers leading receiver (5/104) while Andrew Harris led the way rushing (16/46). Receivers Rasheed Bailey and Darvin Adams both scored TDs while kicker Justin Medlock was 4/4 on field goals. D-linemen Toby Antigha and Willie Jefferson both came up with fumble recoveries.

The computer simulation was conducted by Nelson Hackewich on Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football video game.