The Saskatchewan Roughriders win a game. Finally! The previously 0-9 Riders beat the 3-6 Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the much anticipated, Labour Day Classic, annual clash Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
Is this the start of success? Only time will tell for the team with the worst record in the CFL that takes an old phrase, “the season starts at Labour Day”, to new literal heights.
Roughriders Win A Game
As usual on this weekend, fans of both teams packed Mosaic for the 2 PM local time start. The weather forecast called for rain but instead, as can happen on the prairies, Mother Nature didn’t get the memo. A very strong north west wind did make an appearance and played a factor in both game plans. Let’s get to the action!
First Quarter
With the wind in their faces, the first quarter was not a good one for the home side as the visitors jumped out to a 10-0 lead. A 50-yard field goal by the Bombers kicker Liram Hajrullahu, and later a one yard touchdown plunge from quarterback Brian Brohm, were the difference. The Rider defence looked unsettled.
Second Quarter
The second quarter was a different story. The Riders place kicker, Paul McCallum, got three points back on a 32-yard field goal about midway through. Following the make, the Riders defence and a costly Bomber penalty forced a two-and-out and forced a punt.
That punt was subsequently returned 60-yards by the Riders rookie wide receiver and Winnipeg-native Nic Demski for a touchdown closing the seven point gap. Just like that we had ourselves a football game.
The offence wasn’t done. With two minutes to go in the half, Paul McCallum nailed his second field goal of the contest from 43 yards out to put the Riders up 13-10 headed to halftime.
Cue terrible excuse for entertainment that is the case for most CFL halftime shows.
Third Quarter
Four and half minutes into the second half, it was Paul McCallum striking again, this time a 25-yard FG.
The visiting sides next drive lasted only five plays and the Riders started their second drive, with the wind, from their own five yard line. After an outstanding defensive play at the Rider 34-yard line by Bomber defensive back Bruce Johnson, to knock the ball out of flight before it reached the intended target, it appeared the Bombers would get the ball back with decent field position.
However, on the next play new Bomber wide receiver Mike Willie could not avoid the body of Riders punter Ray Early and gave the ball back to Saskatchewan after the 10-yard infraction. The drive was alive.
Then back-to-back penalties by veteran Bomber defensive back Johnny Adams totaling 25 yards, allowed Rider rookie quarterback Brett Smith to find wide receiver Ryan Smith for the biggest offensive play of the day. The 27-yard touchdown made the score 22-10 capping a quarter in which the Rider defence looked dominant.
Fourth Quarter
A quarter where the Bombers would see penalties, and a steady diet of Rider running back Jerome Messam down the stretch, as their major undoing. As the final score would later indicate, this one was already over.
The score stayed the same until wide receiver Rob Bagg took a handoff from Smith and essentially fell into the end-zone for another touchdown. The score of 29-10 was welcomed joyfully by the previously winless but undeterred sell-out crowd.
The teams traded single points and the Rider defence gave up their second major of the day when Bomber running back Cameron Marshall was allowed to walk into the end-zone. Brohm then successfully converted the touchdown for two points on a scramble from three yards out. 30-19 Riders.
With little more than forty seconds on the clock, the Bombers were still passing the ball in an attempt to catch up. Well, that completely backfired as Riders linebacker Tyron Brackenridge stripped Bombers wide receiver Darvin Adams and danced in for a defensive touchdown, punctuating the lopsided affair.
Final Score
Saskatchewan 37 – Winnipeg 19
