Dolegala making the most of opportunity with the Riders

Patience is paying off for Jake Dolegala.

The second-year CFLer has answered the call for the Saskatchewan Roughriders after a knee injury to starting quarterback Trevor Harris and a hamstring injury to backup Mason Fine.

“It’s no different on the field than off the field,” Dolegala said. “You have to be patient on the field and you have to take what they are giving and take the shots when they are there.

“When you’re not playing, you just have to be patient because in this game, you’re one play away at all times.”

Now that he has been given the opportunity, the 26-year-old is running with it.

The six-foot-seven quarterback from Hamburg, N.Y. has two wins under his belt as a starter in 2023 – one in a 34-29 victory over the B.C. Lions followed up by last weekend’s 32-30 overtime defeat of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Dolegala will try to lead the Riders to a third straight win on Saturday in the Banjo Bowl rematch against the Bombers. Kickoff for the game is set for 2 p.m., and the Green Zone’s pregame show gets rolling at noon.

“I think a lot of our guys are playing with a lot of confidence. I don’t see that stopping any time soon,” Dolegala said. “(Offensive co-ordinator Kelly Jeffrey) has been calling great games, and we have been executing pretty much the way we want to.”

The recent run of offensive success – including back-to-back games scoring more than 30 points – is being attributed to the play of the young quarterback.

“The man can throw really well. He is going through his reads and he’s finding open guys and he’s giving guys a chance,” slotback Shawn Bane Jr. said. “He can stretch the other team’s defence with down-the-field throws. Its been dope to be a part of.”

For Dolegala, it has been a lifelong love affair with the sport. His grandfather, Al Bemiller, played for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills from 1961-69.

Football isn’t the only sport Dolegala enjoys – he’s also a big golfer.

“That’s a fun game too, because I think it’s one of those games you’re competing against yourself. A lot of that relates to the quarterback position – you’re always trying to improve,” Dolegala said.

“It’s the game away from the game.”

He was a part of the golfing group when Riders punter Adam Korsak drained a hole in one.

“We call him ‘Ace’ now,” Dolegala said.

Dolegala has impressed scouts with his arm even going back to high school, where he started to gain interest from colleges. Unfortunately, a torn labrum saw many of the offers rescinded.

“I just kept pushing, and honestly, it was the love of the game that kept me going,” Dolegala said in a 2022 interview. “I want to be the best at what I do, whatever it is, and that drive continued to stay with me and got me where I am.”

Dolegala then went to play for Milford Academy — a prep school for athletes who could play college sports but are not academically ready.

He then became a four-year starter for Central Connecticut, throwing for 8,129 passing yards and 48 touchdowns while adding 18 touchdowns on the ground.

Dolegala didn’t get picked in the 2019 NFL Draft, but signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. That began a two-year span during which Dolegala bounced between teams, including the Miami Dolphins and two stops with each of the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers.

“I learned I could play at that level. I felt like I could play at that level,” Dolegala said. “Maybe the opportunity was never there for me to get on the field, but I felt like I belonged.

“Coming here, I felt the same way.”

Dolegala signed with the Riders in 2022 and spent most of the season as the third quarterback on the roster.

“I was excited for the opportunity. I didn’t know much about the CFL to begin with, but I knew it’s a really good league up here and it has been around for a very long time,” Dolegala said.

“I like the fact they throw the ball a lot – that was huge.”

But due to some unique circumstances, Dolegala saw more action than the team initially predicted.

Dolegala’s first CFL start came on July 24, 2022, in a 31-21 loss to the Toronto Argonauts. Dolegala started the game due to COVID-19 forcing a number of starters out.

He also participated in last year’s Banjo Bowl as the team dealt with a stomach virus that affected many of the players, including Fine.

Dolegala came into that game for relief of starter Cody Fajardo, throwing for just 23 yards and an interception in the loss.

But he believes the experience of being in the rivalry game last year can help him in this year’s edition.

“It was hostile last year, and we weren’t at full strength,” Dolegala said.

Now in his second year as a member of the Riders, he said he’s feeling even more comfortable with the CFL game.

“Just being around the game here last year, it obviously helped understanding the ins and the outs, the nuances, how defences are playing and the different kind of schemes they are going through,” he said.

Now, just ahead of his third start of 2023, Dolegala said he’s learning something from every game he plays in.

“Each game and opportunity I get, you’re going to learn from it,” Dolegala said.

“You’re going to make mistakes out there. I’m just glad those mistakes haven’t been drastic, and I plan to keep it that was this coming Saturday.”