By Rob Vanstone, Leader-PostSeptember 26, 2009Be the first to post a comment
Only one of Darian Durant's passes in Edmonton produced a touchdown — and that was for the opposition.
Only one of Darian Durant's passes in Edmonton produced a touchdown — and that was for the opposition.
T.J. Hill's interception return for a first-quarter major punctuated the Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback's most notable miscue during Saturday's CFL game at Commonwealth Stadium.
There were two other interceptions, along with occasions when even the completions were an eyesore. And the closer the Riders got to the Edmonton Eskimos' end zone, the more likely it seemed that Saskatchewan's offence would stall — or even go in reverse.
Who could have imagined that the outcome would constitute progress?
In one of the least-polished victorious performances anyone can remember, the Roughriders outlasted the Eskimos 23-20 before 62,517 eyewitnesses.
"It wasn't always pretty. It wasn't always exact. But we played with a great attitude and I'm proud of the men,'' Roughriders head coach Ken Miller told CKRM's Carm Carteri on Saturday night.
Miller should be proud of his players — from the highest-profile Roughrider to the 42nd occupant of the roster — after a game in which the team overcame various forms of adversity.
Many of the wounds were self-inflicted, but the Green and White persevered.
That was especially true of Durant, who refused to succumb to the turnovers.
After Hill returned the interception for a touchdown, Durant marched the Roughriders deep into scoring territory. They should have had a touchdown when backup pivot Steven Jyles found Andy Fantuz in the end zone in a short-yardage situation, but the major was negated because of an inexcusable illegal-formation penalty. Saskatchewan settled for a field goal by Luca Congi. It wasn't six points, but at least the Roughriders answered with something.
Durant's third interception also went to Hill. On the Roughriders' following possession, the unflappable Durant marched his team from its 15-yard line to Edmonton's 28 to enable Congi to hit a 35-yard field goal that gave the visitors a 15-13 advantage.
The Roughriders' pivot also delivered after his team's defence buckled for the only time during an otherwise-sterling performance. Arkee Whitlock's 55-yard TD run, converted by Noel Prefontaine, gave Edmonton a 20-15 lead at 1:05 of the fourth quarter.
Seven plays and 65 yards later, Saskatchewan was in the end zone — courtesy of a one-yard run by Jyles. Durant then hit Fantuz for a two-point conversion at 5:27 of the final frame, giving Saskatchewan a 23-20 lead that endured for the remainder of the game.
When the final gun sounded — a weapon that seemed to be aimed at Saskatchewan's feet at various junctures during Saturday's game — the Roughriders were once again in first place. With 7-5 records, Saskatchewan and the Calgary Stampeders are tied for top spot in the West Division, with the nod going to the Roughriders on the basis of their 24-23 victory at McMahon Stadium on Aug. 1.
Improbably, the Roughriders are atop the division even though Durant is in his first full season as a starter. His opposite number on Saturday, Ricky Ray, is a future Hall of Famer with two Grey Cup victories to his good name. Calgary's Henry Burris helped his team win a
championship in 2008, but Durant prevailed in the only head-to-head meeting this season.
Granted, Durant remains a work in progress. He is not blessed with the strongest arm or the fastest feet — categories in which Jyles is superior.
In the case of Durant, intangibles make the difference. He could have hung his head after some gaffes against Edmonton, but his composure was unwavering. His attitude was contagious.
Ultimately, it was Durant — not Ray — whose completions were of greatest importance. Durant led a Saskatchewan offence that registered 22 first downs, to Edmonton's nine, and owned the football for 35 minutes 49 seconds.
Ultimately, it was Durant — not Ray — whose completions were of greatest importance. Durant led a Saskatchewan offence that registered 22 first downs, to Edmonton's nine, and owned the football for 35 minutes 49 seconds.
Yes, there were the three interceptions that fattened Durant's season total to 16. The interceptions now outnumber the touchdown passes by two.
But there is not a quarterback in the West Division with more victories to his credit in 2009 than Darian Durant. And that, dear reader, is the bottom line.
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