OUT OF THE TUNNEL: 5 IN A ROW
In a tune up for the Labour Day Classic, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were very workman-like in their 40-18 victory over the hapless Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday.
This felt like when Alabama played a directional state university in preparation for Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Taking on a team that didn’t belong in the ball park and beating them by sticking to a game plan and not swaying from it.
There were so many things to like from the game. The first is forcing three big interceptions in the first quarter that directly led to 17 points.
Prior to their win over Montreal two weeks ago, the Riders forced five turnovers resulting in 17 points in seven games. Now in the past two they have forced seven turnovers (and are a +7 in turnover ratio during this time) resulting in 31 points.
Turnovers are a funny thing and over time they always seem to even out. To keep up a pace like this would be incredibly difficult to do, but it’s fun to watch while it’s happening.There were times during the game when the Riders sped up the pace offensively and put the Redblacks defence on their heels. It would be nice to see this more in the CFL because despite the argument that the CFL is a fast-paced game (mainly because of the 20 second play clock), it really isn’t.
Yes, the play clock is short, but the official that stands over the football will not allow a team to play with tempo because he waits (sometimes forever) to step away and start the play clock.
This is a part of Canadian football.
Section 11, article 4 of the CFL Rule Book:
“If Team A substitutes players, the Referee shall give Team B the opportunity to also substitute players prior to starting the Play Clock. When Team A breaks their huddle the DJ and LJ shall turn away from the Sidelines and raise their arms to shoulder level (raise the “gates”). If Team A does not huddle, once the Referee signals the Umpire to leave the football, the “gates” will go up. Further substitution by Team A shall not be permitted once the “gates” are raised. Team B shall be permitted in all situations including after the “gates” have gone up, to substitute up to the snap of the ball.”
So, unlike in American rules where if Team A (who has the football) doesn’t substitute Team B (defending team) isn’t allowed to substitute, thus allowing for more pace in the game.
To be honest, this is how we are interpreting the rule. If we are wrong, let us know in the comments.
For fun, let’s compare: the Riders and Redblacks played a combined 109 offensive plays from scrimmage (73 passing, 36 running). Meanwhile in the late NCAA game between Arizona and Hawaii (which was incredibly sloppy but fun) they ran 149 plays from scrimmage (87 passing, 62 running). This is with a 40 second play clock.
This is one rule we would like to change to put a little more fun into the game.The best sign of all in the game was seeing the Green and White step on the throat of a team to end it.
Things were getting a little tight at the end of the first half when the Redblacks grabbed a bit of momentum and cut the Rider lead to nine points late in the first half. A Brett Lauther field goal before the half was over and a solid second half saw the Riders finish the game on an 18-6 run to close things out.
There were a couple of things to ponder heading into Labour Day:
The first was the discipline. This was the first time this season that the Riders lost their cool during the game. Racking up 16 penalties for 186 yards cannot happen against a good team. If that happens Sunday against the Blue Bombers, it will be a very long game.
The second was the lack of pressure against two very average quarterbacks and a just as average Redblack offensive line. This will need to be better against a Bomber offensive line that is one of the better fronts the Riders will see this season and a backup quarterback that would rather duck and run than chuck.
It’s so great to see both the Riders and Bombers meeting in the Labour Day Classic as two of the top teams in the CFL. The fans will be pumped and let’s hope it will truly be a classic.
This Week In Canada West:Here is the schedule, a complete preview will come this week in an Out of the Tunnel bonus!!
Friday, August 30
Saskatchewan at Manitoba 7:00pm (IG Field)
Calgary at Alberta 7:00pm (Foote Field)
Saturday, August 31
Regina at UBC 7:00pm (Thunderbird Stadium)
This Week In The Prairie Football Conference:The big game of the week saw the Regina Thunder welcoming their provincial rivals to Mosaic Stadium Sunday afternoon.
The Hilltops rolled to the 34-16 victory over the Thunder. The win was Hilltops head coach, Tom Sargeant’s 200th career victory.
Week two began with the Edmonton Huskies upping their record to 2-0 by drubbing the Edmonton Wildcats 42-2.
After a tight first half the Winnipeg Rifles picked up their first victory of the season by knocking off the Calgary Colts 47-8.
Saturday, August 31
Regina Thunder at Winnipeg Rifles 7:00pm (Maple Grove Park)
Calgary Colts at Edmonton Wildcats 7:00pm (Clarke Park)
Sunday, September 1
Saskatoon Hilltops at Edmonton Huskies 1:00 (Clarke Park)
Canadian To Watch In The NCAA
RB – Chuba Hubbard (Rs. Soph)
Oklahoma State (Big 12)
6′ 1″ 207lbs.
Sherwood Park, Alberta
High School – Bev Facey
The redshirt sophomore had a breakout freshman season with the Cowboys. Hubbard took over the starting running back role when Justice Hill (4th/113 ’19 Baltimore) went down with an injury in a game against rival Oklahoma.
He picked up 100 yards rushing in three of the four games that he started at the end of the season. This included 145 yards and a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers in the Liberty Bowl.
(RODPEDERSEN.COM STAFF/Photos: AJ Jakubec, Wanda Harron)
I’ve never looked at the substitution rule before, and I admit I’ve never really understood what determines when the official leaves the ball, etc. However, with respect to “Team B shall be permitted in all situations including after the “gates” have gone up, to substitute up to the snap of the ball.” I assume this means the defense can substitute while the play clock is running, so I’m not sure how this would have any impact on pace. Comments anyone?
My granny in her green & white bloomers (think cutoffs mid thigh Rider game day pants) with her army boots on could have would have caught those 3 opening play interceptions and taking them all to the house in a slow walk guaranteed. Ottawa REDBLACKS qb Dom Davis? was he auditioning for the Rider starting qb job next season? He was terrible, absolutely terrible. His throws straight as a lazer to his Rider targets with nobody around, absoloutly ridiculous.