ROUGHRIDER WIN!!!

VANSTONE: Roughriders trash hapless Argos


By Rob Vanstone, Leader-PostJuly 11, 2009


With the Toronto sanitation workers on strike, it was only appropriate that Saturday's CFL game included some garbage time.

Not only that, you could find Baggs flying all over the place.
Another robust effort by Stevie Baggs and his cohorts on the Saskatchewan Roughriders' hyperactive defence led the visitors to a 46-36 CFL victory over the Toronto Argonauts.
The final score flattered the Argonauts, who trailed 37-13 after the Roughriders erupted for 30 second-quarter points.

That uprising was yet another example of how the Roughriders refuse to buckle.
Toronto scored on its first two possessions, jumping to a 10-0 lead, before Saskatchewan answered by scoring 37 of the next 40 points.

The key play, in this appraisal, did not occur in the second quarter. The Roughriders arrested Toronto's momentum by marching for a touchdown immediately after the home side assumed a 10-point advantage. Darian Durant's 21-yard touchdown pass to Andy Fantuz, punctuated by a Luca Congi convert, reduced Toronto's lead to 10-7.

Suddenly, the Roughriders were in the game. By halftime, it hardly seemed like a game at all.
Twenty-one of the 30 second-quarter points were scored because Saskatchewan forced Toronto into miscues. Hugh Charles scored back-to-back touchdowns after the Roughriders forced fumbles. Jerrell Freeman blocked a punt and jumped on the football in the end zone for another major. CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE OF JERRELL FREEMAN

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The omnipresent Baggs put two points on the board by putting a dizzying spin move on Argos left tackle Rob Murphy.

The barrage also included a 33-yard touchdown pass from Durant to a wide-open Weston Dressler. That picturesque pass gave Durant three TD tosses by halftime. So much for any debate about the quarterbacking.

Durant was not especially flashy but, save for a fourth-quarter interception, he avoided the turnovers for which he had a propensity during a season-opening, 28-24 victory over the visiting B.C. Lions on July 3.

He emerged as the victorious quarterback, again, despite playing with a bruised right thumb — and despite more-serious injuries to other members of the offence.

Tailback Wes Cates and guard Gene Makowsky, both of whom were all-Canadians last season, sat out Saturday's game. The offensive line is also missing injured starters Wayne Smith and Belton Johnson. Even so, Durant enjoyed sound protection on Saturday, and Charles was productive along the ground.

Statistically, it was not an eye-popping performance. The Argonauts enjoyed a significant advantage in terms of total offence, due largely to their offensive prowess during garbage time, but the Roughriders prevailed on the strength of their balance — and by keeping Toronto off balance.

The Roughriders had seven different players with at least two receptions. Offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice did a commendable job of mixing in the run.

The balance was also evident on the scoresheet. Saskatchewan recorded points on offence, defence and special teams during the second quarter. The Roughriders also produced a special-teams touchdown for the second successive week.

There was another notable carryover from the opening-night victory over B.C. After forcing seven turnovers by the Lions, the Roughriders added five to that total in Toronto. Gary Etcheverry's defence continues to leave the opposition in a state of disarray. Although members of the offence are generally referred to as playmakers, Etcheverry's troops are altering the perception.

That said, a tougher test awaits.

The Montreal Alouettes are to face the host Roughriders on Saturday in a clash of undefeated teams. The game will feature a high-octane Montreal offence, led by Anthony Calvillo, and an equally dangerous Saskatchewan defence.

It is one thing to wreak havoc upon unremarkable teams such as the Lions and Argonauts. How will the Roughriders' defence fare against a future Hall of Fame quarterback? Stay tuned.

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com