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Despite sitting and rotating key players out of the game, the Saskatchewan Roughriders still found themselves in a battle with the B.C. Lions on Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium.
With the Riders already having clinched first place in the CFL West Division, the Lions earned a 27-21 win.
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“I think the last two weeks, the way our team went out there and scrapped, I’m proud of that,” Riders head coach Corey Mace.
“We want to win, so that sucks. I know for sure, no matter what, this team will scrap, and that’s some of the DNA you’re going to have to have going into these playoffs.
“Certainly solidified what I figured I knew about this team that they were going to scrap until the end.”
The B.C. win means the Lions will host the Calgary Stampeders in next week’s West semifinal and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will head east to take on the Montreal Alouettes.
Quarterback Trevor Harris started the game after being the third-string quarterback last week. The veteran was efficient in his quarter-and-a-half of work, completing 10 of 11 passes for 112 yards.
“I was happy the way (Harris) played. I thought he was super decisive with the ball,” Mace said. “I’m super happy with his performance. He looked like he was having fun and you want that.”
Quarterback Jake Maier came into the game, throwing for 154 yards and an interception.
“I thought the first half we played really well. I thought the group in the second half, starting with me, needed to do a better job putting one touchdown drive together to win us that game,” Maier said.
“That’s something I’m going to think a lot about tonight.”
The Riders’ two touchdowns in the game came on the legs of quarterback Jack Coan, who was the team’s short-yardage option in this one, as he punched in a pair from one yard out.
The Lions’ offence showed off its explosiveness on the first play of the game with quarterback Nathan Rourke finding Ayden Eberhardt for what turned into a 63-yard catch-and-run touchdown. He also hauled in another touchdown pass in the game.
Rourke, who was named the Lions’ Most Outstanding Canadian and Most Outstanding Player nominee, finished the game with 368 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
The Riders had a defensive touchdown taken off the board in the contest. The Riders forced a fumble and it was picked up by defensive back Tevaughn Campbell, who returned it 107 yards for a touchdown — just able to outrun Rourke, who was giving chase. But while the turnover stood, the touchdown was taken off the board after the officials determined a whistle from one of them had been blown.
“I’ve had that happen a couple of times this year already. I’m used to it. It was a good play — I scored a touchdown and they called it back. Not much I could do about it,” Campbell said.
Campbell said this game shows the depth the Riders have can compete with any team in the CFL.
“(We are) able to put different people on the field in different positions and go out there and play at a high level with a team that is not fighting for a playoff spot but fighting for a home playoff game,” Campbell said.
“I thought it was a good showing for what we can do.”
Riders kicker Michael Hughes made his first career CFL start after Brett Lauther was ruled out with a back injury.
Hughes had a perfect night kicking the ball, hitting both of his field goal tries along with both convert attempts. He also added a single point when on a kickoff, he booted the ball through the uprights and out the back of the end zone.
“Everybody has been so gracious to me, taking me in with arms wide open. Today was super special for me. First professional game and I couldn’t have written it up even better other than we go 1-0,” Hughes said.
Lions kicker Sean Whyte made both his field goal attempts but missed his lone convert kick. The Lions went for two points twice in the game, succeeding on one of them.
Saskatchewan will now enjoy a week off before hosting the CFL West Final on Nov. 8.
“Those guys are going to have a couple of days off and then we are going back to work,” Mace said.
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