The Roughriders defeated the visiting Blue Bombers with ease, bouncing back from their first-ever setback one week earlier.
On Friday night, the Saskatchewan Roughriders handled business.
In front of 29,649 spectators at Mosaic Stadium, the Roughriders defeated the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers 19-9 in Week 7 of the CFL season, showcasing their new alternate obsidian green uniforms.
A week ago, the Riders lost their first game of the season against the B.C. Lions, but they turned things around and are now 5-1, while the Bombers are at 2-5.
Shea Patterson, the quarterback for the Riders, who finished 17 of 25 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown in his third career start, stated, “That’s our character.” “It all came down to our response this week after such a short week.
“And we worked hard to play the way we did tonight.”
On their first drive, the Bombers scored a field goal to take the lead. Later in the first quarter, Saskatchewan equalized the score with a field goal of their own.
The game was deadlocked 6-6 at the half after the sides exchanged field goals once more in the second quarter.
Patterson began the second drive of the third quarter for Saskatchewan by rushing the ball 21 yards, then found rookie receiver Ajou Ajou for two first downs.
After that, Patterson found a wide-open Clint Ratkovich in the end zone, and the fullback scored Saskatchewan’s first touchdown in the CFL from 15 yards out, leading 13–6.
“The play was fantastic,” Ratkovich exclaimed. “They have to understand that we run the ball a lot out of that shape.
“And just kind of sneak around the back and take them by surprise by hitting the corner.”
Riders linebacker Adam Auclair intercepted Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros on the Saskatchewan 19-yard line as the Bombers attempted to reply.
Following a lucky 29-yard gain from a pass interference call, Patterson connected with Ajou on a short pass, and the rookie wide receiver broke tackles to sprint 33 yards.
But instead of finding the end zone, Brett Lauther was called upon to convert a 31-yard field goal to start the fourth quarter with Saskatchewan ahead 16–6.
Up until Winnipeg’s field goal with 5:51 remaining to make it 16-9, Saskatchewan’s staunch defense held the Bombers at bay.
Riders linebacker Jameer Thurman caused a crucial turnover as he punched the ball out of Bombers receiver Nic Demski’s grasp, who had already gone 50 yards prior to the fumble, which Saskatchewan recovered, as the Bombers attempted to score more points.
Thurman, who finished with seven total tackles, remarked, “We talked about turnovers and how they were going to be big for us to take over this game and win.” “And I just happened to be in that position at the right time to make a play.”
Riders head coach Corey Mace continued, “Those are the kinds of things that we talk about as far as capitalizing on opportunities.” And he purposefully got that idiot out of there when he saw an opening where the ball was exposed.
“That was a great time to do it.”
After the turnover, Patterson found Ajou for a 46-yard gain, and with 1:32 remaining, Lauther entered the game to kick a 32-yard field goal, making the score 19-9.
Ajou led the team with 110 receiving yards after replacing Kian Schaffer-Baker, who departed the game with an upper body injury late in the first half.
After the game, Ajou remarked, “Just being ready.” When the coach calls, you have to leave.
“I just need to express my gratitude to everyone in my immediate vicinity; my teammates’ accountability and the coach’s faith in me go a long way.”
To seal the victory, Saskatchewan’s defense forced a turnover on downs in the closing minutes before the offense took the field.
On the game’s last play, though, Patterson scurried out of the pocket to attempt to run out the last few seconds of the clock before tossing the ball out of bounds. Adam Bighill, the linebacker for the Bombers, gave him a hard hit as he was doing it.
“I didn’t feel well,” Patterson remarked. “But no, I’m alright.
It’s just him acting silly. That’s also my fault. It is too much for me to hold onto.
“Respect to the veteran linebacker who came up to me and sent me a message because I think I got a little too cocky.”
The Riders will not have much time off before their upcoming game, which is scheduled for Thursday night at the 5-1 Montreal Alouettes.
“There are a lot of difficulties,” Mace remarked. We recently concluded a brief week, which we are currently in. They are the reigning winners. In my experience, Montreal is one of the most difficult places to play. They just had a bye week.
“1-0. That’s what we carry out. We have to finish it. That is.
