REGINA — It wasn’t quite the performance the Saskatchewan Roughriders were hoping for, but when the main goal of a game is evaluation and assessment, it’s safe to say their preseason contest against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers got the job done.
Fielding a line-up filled with rookies and players looking to crack the roster, the Roughriders would go on to drop a 27-20 decision at Mosaic Stadium in their final game of the Canadian Football League exhibition campaign.
It was the last chance for many players to make a statement on the field, and thanks to the results in the two preseason contests, the Riders now have plenty to go on when it comes to making final roster decisions in the coming days.
“We just talked about it there in the locker room, it's a tough situation because ultimately we're going to have to put together a team and that's going to leave some guys out of a job,” Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said on the Rider Broadcast Network post-game show.
“It's hard for these guys. It's a tough pill to swallow… This is what they've chosen to be their career path, so we don't lose sight of that. We understand there's definitely a human element to it, so I just wanted to make sure that those guys knew how much we appreciate everything. Then, ultimately, things will shake out the way they will tomorrow.”
There was some question as to whether the game would be played at all, as heavy smoke and dangerous air quality eventually saw the game pushed forward an hour. Thankfully, things cleared up enough close to game time, but the wait wasn’t ideal.
“it was a little bit of hurry up and wait for both teams,” Mace said. “Luckily we were able to get the game going and give these guys an opportunity for us to evaluate as they went out there. We found ourselves in a hole pretty early and throughout the majority of the game, but I'm proud of the way the guys kept fighting.”
With players battling for a roster spot, second-year receiver Joe Robustelli did his part to state his case. He finished the contest with six catches for 119 yards and showed his toughness in the process, returning to the game after appearing to injure his right shoulder in the second quarter.
“I think what people saw today is things we've seen from him on the practice field,” Mace said. “We just wanted to see it translate to the game, so I’m really proud of the way that he went out there and performed. He battled through it a little bit, I know he got banged up a little bit, but he just kept on trucking, man. He's been showing to be that kind of player for quite some time, we asked these guys to put their best foot forward and I believe he did that.”
Jake Maier got the start at quarterback and finished 9-for-15 passing for 113 yards in the first half, while Jack Coan played the second and went 18-for-25 passing for 189 yards.
Both pivots had their ups and downs in the contest and would have benefited from a few more catches, but for the most part, Mace was happy with what he saw.
“Ultimately they both had some good drives,” he said. “[There were] some passes I thought were there that we couldn't quite snag, but I thought the quarterbacks ran it out fairly well… This is no surprise from either of those guys. You know Jake's background in this league and certainly what we've seen in Jack to this point. So just pleased with the depth we have at quarterback.”
The Game
Even with the eventual close score, it wasn’t a very good first half for the Roughriders.
Winnipeg’s Chris Streveler engineered a 12-play drive on their first possession of the game that resulted in a 21-yard touchdown pass to Keric Wheatfall and on their very next possession, back-to-back 40 yard passes by Zach Collaros would result in another Wheatfall major and a 14-0 lead in the first half.
A 16-yard field goal from Brett Lauther got the Riders on the board early in the second quarter, and immediately after an Eddie Heckard interception gave Saskatchewan hope, Mario Anderson would have the ball pop loose on a running play. Bombers defensive end Philip Webb would scoop the fumble and go 90 yards for the touchdown and a 21-3 Winnipeg lead.
The kickers went to work from there, with the two teams combing for six field goals the rest of the way.
Lauther would hit from 24 yards before the half was out, making it a 21-6 game at the break and would then add a 53-yard field goal in the third quarter. Dawson Hodge took over kicking duties at the end of the third and hit from 31 yards.
Winnipeg’s Sergio Castillo was good from 35 yards early in the third quarter, and the Bombers would have a 24-12 lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
Castillo would then add a 26-yard field goal for Winnipeg’s only points in the fourth.
Anderson would end up with the highlight of the game for the Riders, scoring the team’s first touchdown of the season on a four yard run that capped a seven play drive in the game’s final two minutes.
That would finish scoring on the night and Winnipeg had their seven-point win.
The Stats
Saskatchewan: Maier finished 9-for-15 passing for 113 yards and an interception in the first half, Coan played the second and went 18-for-25 passing for 189 yards.
Trent Pennix was the top ball carrier for the Riders with four carries for 17 yards.
Robustelli had the aforementioned six catches for 119 yards, Mitchell Picton had seven catches for 77 yards.
Phalen Sanford and Braxton Hill had four tackles apiece, Liam Hoskins picked up a pair of sacks.
Saskatchewan had 235 yards of total offence.
Winnipeg: Streveler started and went 8-for-10 for 76 yards, Collaros had the single drive and two passes for 80 yards, Terry Wilson played the majority of the second half and went 8-for-10 for 76 yards, Chase Artopoeus was 1-for-3 for 11 yards.
Quinton Cooley had eight carries for 56 yards, Matthew Peterson eight carries for 25 yards.
Wheatfall led Winnipeg’s receiving corps with five catches for 88 yards, 13 players had at least one catch on the night.
Latavious Brini had four tackles to lead the defence.
Winnipeg had 310 yards of total offence.