Defence looking past 41 point loss; Verdict still out on Durant

Last week’s game was a step back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders defence, but the players only want to look forward.

The defence allowed 41 points against the Montreal Alouettes Friday night, while the offence mustered just a field goal.

“There’s no excuses to why we lose a game,” said defensive lineman Jonathan Newsome. “I think (Montreal) came and played a better game than us and that’s just owning up and being a man about it.”

Linebacker Greg Jones said the game started off on the wrong foot when Kevin Glenn was able to march the Alouettes 68 yards down field for a touchdown.

“It just put us back on our heels a little bit,” Jones said.

Jones said the defence is getting into the game too late, and they can’t wait until they are scored upon to pick up the pace.

“I think we can start faster, I think we wait too long to start playing ball … I think that’s the number one thing, we just got to start faster.”

The Roughriders defence has been struggling all year – they are last in the league for points allowed at 179 and have only managed eight sacks which puts them in last in the league as well, but the team isn’t dwelling on what the stats look like.

“That’s not what we’re thinking about, that’s not where our focus is at all,” said Jones.  “We’re working on the next game and staying focused on what we have to do.”

“We’re a good team,” added Newsome. “(The) record doesn’t show it, but we go out here, we work hard every day and as long as we keep gelling as a team, it’s a long season. I’m sure everything will turn around.”

DURANT CONTINUES TO PROGRESS AT PRACTICE

There’s still no official confirmation if Darian Durant will be the starter when the Riders play the Stampeders on Thursday night, but for the second day in a row, Durant took first team reps for a full practice.

Head coach Chris Jones talked to him in the morning, and said Durant’s ankle felt good after Monday’s reps and he continues to like Durant’s progress.

“He looked like he moved around pretty well today in the drills, and he threw the ball decent … (we) made him hold the ball so I could see him move around. He looks comfortable, so we’ll see,” Jones said when asked how he thought Durant did.

Durant was not available to the media Tuesday.

The Roughriders travel to Calgary Wednesday. Game time is 8 p.m. Thursday evening.