Riders can’t keep up with Stamps at Mosaic Stadium

Despite their opponents having to change travel plans and stay an extra night, the Saskatchewan Roughriders didn’t have much of an answer for the Calgary Stampeders.

The game was originally set to be played on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium but air quality forced the game to be rescheduled after a nearly four-hour delay.

“It was brutal,” Riders quarterback Trevor Harris said when asked about being in the locker room during the delay. “We are trying to figure out what the protocols are … It’s like I always tell people there’s a reason you sign a tenant agreement when you rent a house, because people have things happen to them. Now this will probably be something in the CBA we have to address because that wasn’t fun.”

Harris said the delay wasn’t an excuse as Calgary dealt with the same things.

“We were prepared. I thought we just came out flat and they didn’t. They came out with their hair on fire and they did a great job. Offensively, we have to make sure we are moving the football and generating points and scoring drives because it’s not good enough to not have a first down until the second quarter. It’s inexcusable,” Harris said.

On Saturday afternoon, it was nearly all Calgary as the Stamps won 24-10 to improve to 4-1 and take over the top spot in the CFL West Division.

“We got whooped, that’s just what it is,” head coach Corey Mace said. “That’s a good football team that we played. I thought (Vernon Adams Jr.) was on point. We always talk about capitalizing on opportunities and there were certainly some we gave him. You need to find them and he did that.”

Saskatchewan came into the game as the league’s final undefeated team, sporting a 4-0 record.

Despite an interception by Riders’ linebacker A.J. Allen on Calgary’s first offensive snap, the Riders only mustered a field goal after a two-and-out.

Calgary then scored 17 unanswered points to head into halftime with a 17-3 lead. Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. had 295 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the first half.

Saskatchewan came out in the second half and scored their only touchdown of the game when Harris connected with Joe Robustelli for an 18-yard touchdown. That was Robustelli’s first career CFL touchdown.

“It felt really good. You kind of black out a little bit when it happens but I’m excited I could get my first one,” said Robustelli, who also had 11 catches for 191 yards. “It’s been a long journey to get to where I am at today. I’m extremely proud of it and I appreciate my family and everyone who supported me on this journey. Just have to keep it rolling.”

However, the next possession, Adams Jr. connected with Damien Alford for an 81-yard touchdown.

Harris finished the game with 425 yards and a touchdown.

Riders running back AJ Ouellette, who came into the game as the league’s leading rusher, only mustered nine yards on six carries.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders defence forced three turnovers but it wasn’t enough in a loss to the Calgary Stampeders. (Saskatchewan Roughriders)

“This might have been the first game of the year with physicality and the trench battle that I thought wasn’t in our favour early in the game and I thought that was a big part of it too,” Mace said. “There were a lot of things going on out there early where we had to regroup and address some things at half and I thought we came out with a little bit more fire and play with more confidence in the second half.

“Ultimately, it wasn’t enough.”

Kicker Brett Lauther once again had struggles in the game, only hitting one of three field goal attempts.

Calgary has enjoyed a lot of success at Mosaic Stadium, now having 11 wins in their last 12 trips to the Queen City in the regular season.

Adams Jr. finished the day with 428 yards and three touchdown strikes.

The Riders will take on the Lions in B.C. on July 19.

“Do we have a glass jaw or not? I think the guys who were here last year understood it’s an eerily similar situation. I think we figured out a lot of things about that last year,” Mace said. “Having that continuity, I think this is another reason why that helps. It’s a quick turnaround going to a place that’s not always easy to play, either with a good quarterback. They are also a good team despite what the record may show.”