Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders' game of musical quarterbacks struck a positive chord with head coach Ken Miller.
As a result, Miller is "considering'' the continuation of a rotation that involves Darian Durant and Steven Jyles when the Roughriders return to action Friday in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions.
Durant started on Saturday, when the Roughriders posted a 24-23 CFL victory over the host Calgary Stampeders. As Miller had prescribed, Durant was replaced by Jyles for two series — the latter of which was a 14-play, 74-yarder that culminated in a field goal right before halftime. Despite Jyles' impressive work on that extended drive, Miller handed the ball to Durant for the second half.
Durant started on Saturday, when the Roughriders posted a 24-23 CFL victory over the host Calgary Stampeders. As Miller had prescribed, Durant was replaced by Jyles for two series — the latter of which was a 14-play, 74-yarder that culminated in a field goal right before halftime. Despite Jyles' impressive work on that extended drive, Miller handed the ball to Durant for the second half.
"We had a pretty definite plan going in,'' Miller said after Tuesday's practice. "As opposed to being whimsical, arbitrary or capricious, I thought it was best to follow through with a plan that I had established beforehand, as opposed to going with emotion.''
Jyles completed five of seven passes for 35 yards, and also rushed twice for 18 yards. Durant was 16-for-27 for 257 yards, with one interception and three touchdowns — including the 65-yard game-winner to Chris Getzlaf with 1:17 remaining in the fourth quarter. The combined stats: 21-for-34 for 292 yards.
Jyles completed five of seven passes for 35 yards, and also rushed twice for 18 yards. Durant was 16-for-27 for 257 yards, with one interception and three touchdowns — including the 65-yard game-winner to Chris Getzlaf with 1:17 remaining in the fourth quarter. The combined stats: 21-for-34 for 292 yards.
"It did work well,'' Miller said. "I was really pleased that we had two quarterbacks who performed admirably well — one not at the expense of the other. It really demonstrates the fact that our quarterbacks are developing nicely.''
Durant was sharp after re-entering the game, completing seven of 11 passes for 137 yards — including a 19-yard TD toss to Weston Dressler — in the third quarter.
"That was the plan,'' Miller said with a laugh. "That's why we did it. We anticipated that being on the sideline for a bit and seeing what was going on on the field would help his game, and it seems to have worked — although his first drive was admirable as well. After that first drive, we had an interception which wasn't entirely his fault, and then we had a two-and-out. After he came back in, he managed the game and made some great throws.''
"That was the plan,'' Miller said with a laugh. "That's why we did it. We anticipated that being on the sideline for a bit and seeing what was going on on the field would help his game, and it seems to have worked — although his first drive was admirable as well. After that first drive, we had an interception which wasn't entirely his fault, and then we had a two-and-out. After he came back in, he managed the game and made some great throws.''
Entering the Calgary game, Miller told the quarterbacks and the media that Durant would play the first three or four series, after which Jyles would be deployed. The head coach did leave himself an out in case Durant was on a roll during the early stages of the game.
Saskatchewan scored a touchdown on its opening possession — a six-play, 75-yard march that ended with Durant's nine-yard scoring pass to Getzlaf.
Saskatchewan scored a touchdown on its opening possession — a six-play, 75-yard march that ended with Durant's nine-yard scoring pass to Getzlaf.
After that, there was a two-and-out, a four-play possession that concluded with an interception, and another two-and-out. Jyles then entered the game, recording a two-and-out before marching the team from its 25-yard line to Calgary's 11.
Durant felt there were benefits to watching the game from the sideline throughout the second quarter.
Durant felt there were benefits to watching the game from the sideline throughout the second quarter.
"There were some things that I was able to see from a different angle — mainly just the coverages they were in and the different postures of the DBs back there, to see how they disguise things,'' Durant said. "From that aspect, it helped, but as a competitor it's kind of tough. I'm all about winning, and winning comes first.''
Given his druthers, Durant would prefer to be in the game for the duration.
Given his druthers, Durant would prefer to be in the game for the duration.
"As a competitor you always want to play,'' he said. "You want to be out there and not miss any moment of the game. There's definitely that 90 per cent of me that wants to be out there, but the other 10 per cent is whatever the coach sees as best for the team, that's what I'm all about.''
Until Saturday, Jyles had been used in short-yardage or blowout situations. He appreciated the increased playing time against Calgary.
Until Saturday, Jyles had been used in short-yardage or blowout situations. He appreciated the increased playing time against Calgary.
"It felt great,'' Jyles said. "I learned a lot from it. You just have a little more experience every time you go out there and play. It was big for me. It helped build my confidence a little more and let me know what I need to work on and get better.''
rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com
rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com
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