OUT OF THE TUNNEL: DEEP DIVE ON THE RIDERS

Calgary has a chance to sweep the three game series having already won back-to-back games and taking the season series. Those losses for the Riders raised a lot of questions as to just how good they really are.

Looking at them, there are a few downs and a few ups combining for what they are: a middle of the road team.

Their first up is along the defensive line. They are incredibly stout against the run, giving up the least number of yards per game along the ground while leading the CFL in sacks with 28.

A lot of that credit goes to the secondary who has 10 interceptions. Those turnovers are key as the Riders have converted their 19 total turnovers (+10 turnover ratio) into 59 of their 200 total points.

The tough part of the defence is they have given up 21 touchdowns to opposing offences. It’s a team that takes a lot but also gives up a lot. The rest of the defence is very middle of the pack.

Offensively is where everyone is yelling and screaming.

So much has been made of Cody Fajardo’s falling off after his 2019 offensive season. First let’s lay it out there, every CFL quarterback has fallen off of their 2019 season except for Zach Collaros. Trevor Harris had been benched and now traded away by the Edmonton Elks to the Montreal Alouettes. He is there because of the injury to Vernon Adams Jr. (who also hasn’t had a great season).

Hamilton has had to rotate their quarterbacks because of injury, Toronto may finally stick with McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Ottawa is on their third starter of the season, Michael Reilly has lost a big step in B.C. and Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell is finally starting to return to form after a disastrous start in Calgary.

We are not making any excuses but CFL quarterbacking as a whole is having a rough year but in Saskatchewan there was so much hope for the combination of new offensive coordinator Jason Maas and Fajardo.

It hasn’t happened, yet. 

A lot can be placed on an offensive line that has had to replace all but one starter from 2019 and a big injury to all-star receiver Shaq Evans.

The Rider offence is very safe with just nine turnovers via interception and fumble, but that safe play has only registered a league-low six passing plays of over 30 yards and a passing efficiency of 88.1.

The rest of the offensive unit is all in the middle of the pack, which is not enough to garner enough wins to grab a home playoff game in the CFL.

The Riders are a 5-4 team and still in the hunt for a home playoff game in a CFL season with five mediocre teams and one very good team (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) fighting for playoff positioning.

This week is the time for the Roughriders to decide whether they will remain mediocre or if they are a home playoff team shooting for a Grey Cup title.

This Week in Canada West

UBC (1-2) 31 Regina (1-2) 30

Two of the three games in the Canada West this weekend saw giant come from behind victories. Our first stop is in Regina where the UBC Thunderbirds trailed the Rams 23-0 heading into the fourth quarter before Garrett Rooker propelled the comeback.

He tied the game late in the fourth with a touchdown pass to Edgerrin Williams and then Rooker took in the two-point converson to tie the game at 23.

In overtime, Kyle Borsa scored on the Rams first drive to make it 30-23. Isaiah Knight plunged in from the one on the Thunderbirds first series leading to Trey Kellogg grabbing the game winning two-point conversion.

The victory is the first of the season for UBC. 

Manitoba (3-0) 28 Calgary (1-2) 20

The Calgary Dinos were up 20-5 heading into the fourth quarter on the road in Manitoba on Saturday, only to see the Bisons, like UBC did in Regina, score 23 straight points in the fourth quarter for the 28-20 victory.

Manitoba remains the lone undefeated team in the Canada West while Calgary joins Regina, UBC and Alberta in a four-way tie for third at 1-2.

Saskatchewan (2-1) 54 Alberta (1-2) 27

The Saskatchewan Huskies took care of business at home, doubling up the Alberta Golden Bears 54-27. 

It was the usual offensive suspects for the Huskies as quarterback Mason Nyhus threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns and Adam Machart ran for 132 yards and a touchdown.

The Huskies are all alone in second in the Canada West at 2-1.

Coming up (all times local)

Saturday, Oct. 23 Regina @ Saskatchewan 2pm

Saturday, Oct. 23 Manitoba @ UBC 1pm

Sunday Oct. 24 Alberta @ Calgary 2pm

This Week in the Prairie Football Conference

Edmonton Huskies (4-3) 42 Regina Thunder (7-0) 45

The Regina Thunder remain the lone undefeated team in the CFL with a giant 39-36 overtime victory over the Edmonton Huskies.

The Huskies built up a 36-12 lead in the fourth quarter before the Thunder started the comeback scoring 24 straight points to tie the game at 36 apiece and send it to overtime tied at 36.

In overtime the two teams traded field goals in their first possessions before the Thunder allowed a field goal to Edmonton in their second to make it 42-39. Regina took their second possession and made good with as Carter Shewchuk connected with Brayden Long for the game winning touchdown and the 45-42 victory.

Saskatoon Hilltops (5-2) 44 Edmonton Wildcats (2-5) 7

The Hilltops over second place in the PFC via their big victory over the Edmonton Wildcats.

Saskatoon got two touchdowns from both Bosten Davidson and Dillan Heintz while Josh Wiebe and Noah Flaman also added scores in the victory.

Calgary Colts (1-6) 23 Winnipeg Rifles (2-5) 17

In the upset of the day, the Calgary Colts won their first game of the season by knocking off the visiting Winnipeg Rifles 23-17.

Coming up (all times local)

Saturday, Oct. 23 Edmonton Wildcats at Edmonton Huskies 7:00pm

Sunday, Oct. 24 Saskatoon Hilltops at Winnipeg Rifles 1:00pm

Sunday, Oct. 24 Regina Thunder at Calgary Colts 1:00pm

Canadian Player to Watch in the NCAA

Dontae Bull (Sr.)
Tackle
Fresno State
6’7”, 326lbs.
Vancouver, B.C.
High School – Belmont Scondary

The potential number one pick in the upcoming 2022 CFL Draft in May has started all seven games along a Fresno State Bulldog offensive line that is 5-2 to start the season.

Bull has started since an outstanding sophomore season in 2019 and is on the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list. A game that brings in all the top college seniors to play in an all-star game.

(RODPEDERSEN.COM STAFF)