While watching the Saskatchewan Roughriders Week 15 game against the Montreal Alouettes, Darian Durant recalled a similar game plan he used in his playing career which head coach Jason Maas employed: targeting Tyson Philpot in his match-up with Kerfalla Exume.
"We had a game against Calgary in 2010, we knew Chris Jones was a huge man-to-man and cover zero guy with no safety help. They would put Brandon Smith on [Weston] Dressler. They would put Dwight [Anderson] on [Chris] Getzlaf. It was one match-up against Andy Fantuz, they tried to cover him with Milt Collins. Milt was a great player, but he's a natural safety, he's not necessarily a corner," Durant said on the SportsCage.
"I know Andy went for well over 200 yards. What happened with Philpot is why I can relate to this situation so well, I remember the Calgary game as if it were yesterday. We went into that game saying, 'Look, if they're going to run around and match these guys up, then we're going to throw the ball to Andy every single time we get man-to-man.' That's what we did and I'm pretty sure that's what [Anthony] Calvillo was saying to [McLeod] Bethel-Thompson when they saw that match-up."
Philpot record a single-game, career-high 238 receiving yards on nine receptions with two touchdowns, most of his production came when Exume was lined up against him. Meanwhile, the game Durant referenced from his playing career took place on Friday, September 17, 2010. He connected with Fantuz 10 times for a single-game, career-high 255 receiving yards and one touchdown in a 43-37 overtime win over the Stampeders. Durant was asked if he felt any guilt for what he did to Collins.
"I feel bad because Milt later on became my teammate and we had a couple of conversations about that," Durant recalled. "In the heat of the moment, you want to go for the kill. You don't care and if it's a career day for your guys, then so be it."
While Durant praised Montreal for their win at Mosaic Stadium, he believes the outcome would have been different if starting cornerbacks Marcus Sayles and Tevaughn Campbell played. The Riders lost 48-31 as Bethel-Thompson completed 20-of-26 passes for 379 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
"They would have had to throw the ball around, but it's a lot different going up against the interception leader in the league and another guy in Sayles who is an all-star," Durant said. "When you're going against young guys or guys who don't really understand the game, it's totally different than when you're going against vets and not just any vets — guys who are at the top of the league at their position. Even though Montreal was destined for them, I don't know if the game plays out the same way if you have your two starting corners."
Saskatchewan has a bye in Week 16 and return to action in Edmonton against the Elks on Saturday, September 27.
"For Edmonton to start the season the way they have, then to switch quarterbacks and to be able to pick up a couple of wins, now you find yourself fighting for a playoff spot, this could be a dangerous team," Durant said. "I think the bye week is at a perfect time for the Riders. They could get healthy, get some guys back, and then go out to Edmonton because I really think that they're going up against a dangerous team. "
Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk, and Wes Cates bring you the pre-game show at 2 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 5 p.m. Listen to our thorough coverage on 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
