SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES CLINCH TOP SPOT

REGINA, Sask.

– Jeff Hassler had three rushing touchdowns to help the Saskatchewan Huskies clinch first place in Canada West with a 42-17 victory over the Regina Rams on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium.

Hassler, a first-year running back out of Holy Trinity Academy in Okotoks, Alta., came into the game with just 143 rushing yards on the season but exploded for 224 yards in the win. Hassler opened up the scoring with a two-yard touchdown five minutes into the first quarter, added a five-yard major early in the second, and essentially put the game away with a six-yard score midway through the fourth quarter.

The victory gives Saskatchewan home field advantage through the Hardy Cup. The Huskies will host Alberta next weekend, while Calgary will host Manitoba in the other Canada West semifinal contest.

RIDERS NOT LOOKING PAST HAMILTON

By Rob Vanstone, Leader-PostOctober

REGINA — Darian Durant is thinking short range — but not necessarily in terms of his passes.
Durant and his Saskatchewan Roughriders teammates are adamant that they are not looking beyond Saturday afternoon’s Canadian Football League game against the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats, even though the pivotal game of the 2009 regular season is still one week away.

Next Saturday, the Roughriders will entertain the Calgary Stampeders in a highly anticipated showdown for first place in the West Division. Although today’s contest is not without significance, the stakes are considerably higher against Calgary.

But don’t try selling that argument to Durant and his associates.

“The main thing is just that if we don’t have this game, there’s a chance that we finish in third,’’ Saskatchewan’s signal-caller said. “What this game does is ensure a home playoff game, which is something that we all want, and it gives us a little bit of momentum going into the Calgary game. So this game is just as big as the next game against Calgary.’’

Perhaps the Roughriders have spoiled their legion of fervent followers. Not so long ago, denizens of the Rider Nation were starved for a home playoff game. An entire generation of fans grew up without being able to witness such a contest.

The 19-year drought was snapped in 2007, when Saskatchewan downed Calgary 26-24 in the West semifinal en route to capturing the third Grey Cup in franchise history. Last year, the Roughriders again welcomed a playoff opponent, only to lose 33-12 to the B.C. Lions. So much for home-field advantage.
After two successive semifinals, the novelty factor of a home playoff game has disappeared. A logical progression is for the Roughriders to secure top spot for the first time since 1976 and stage the West final on Nov. 22. Regardless of what transpires today at Ivor Wynne Stadium, the Roughriders can claim the regular season’s grand prize by disposing of Calgary.

Considering the hype surrounding the winner-take-all matchup with the Stampeders, is it difficult for the Roughriders to resist the temptation to look ahead seven days?

“It’s not that hard — it really isn’t — because of what could happen if we drop that game,’’ the ever-sensible Durant declared. “We want to put ourselves in a position to at least have a home playoff game if, for whatever reason, we stumble against Calgary. We’re definitely looking at this as a huge game for us.’’
That said, Durant has noticed the buildup for the Calgary game.

“A little bit,’’ he acknowledged. “I can’t even lie about that. You can definitely sense that this is a position we haven’t been in in a while. You can sense the excitement and the enthusiasm everyone’s showing about this team and the position that we’re in. We’re just as excited as everyone else and we look forward to sealing the deal.’’

Think of it this way: The Roughriders are two home-field victories away from reaching the Grey Cup. It is that close.

“Everywhere you go, it’s Grey Cup talk already,’’ Durant said before the Roughriders embarked for Steeltown. “We know it’ll be tough on anybody coming in here and playing us for one game (in the West final) to get to the Grey Cup. That’s where we want to get. We feel like whoever we get in here, we should be favoured. That’s the position we want to put ourselves in.’’

The clash with Calgary will have all the atmosphere of a home playoff game, without that designation.
“It’s going to be exciting,’’ Durant said. “I’ve been telling my teammates and other people that I know around town that that’s the first round of the playoffs, basically. That Nov. 7 game has huge implications. It puts both teams where they want to be come Nov. 22. Both teams are fighting for the same thing so it’s definitely going to be an electric atmosphere.

“It’s going to be a zoo, and we look forward to having it in our place and being able to have our fans on our side.’’

OK, they are looking forward ... but not too much, by any means.

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com

KORNEGAY HAS A NEW FAN

By Murray McCormick, Leader-

Riders' Tad Kornegay is 11th in the CFL in total defensive tackles with 65. The third-year linebacker has forced four fumbles, recovered three fumbles and recorded three interceptions.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files

HAMILTON — Gary Etcheverry is happy to admit how wrong he was about Tad Kornegay.
Etcheverry, the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive co-ordinator, said he wasn’t a fan of Kornegay during the 2008 CFL season. Etcheverry found Kornegay’s attitude to be lacking in 2008 but has noticed a transformation in 2009.

“He has had the biggest turnaround of any player that I’ve had in all of my years of coaching,’’ Etcheverry said in advance of Saturday’s game (noon, CKRM, TSN) against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ivor Wynne Stadium. “It’s like we got a new player. All of us pre-judge people but my initial judgment in 2008 was 100-per-cent wrong compared to my impression this year. The biggest change is his attitude towards what we’ve asked him to do. He wasn’t playing last year until at the end and that clearly was a challenge for him. Now he has to be the best pound-for-pound defensive player in the league.’’

Kornegay, a natural defensive back, earned those accolades through his versatility and performance. He has accomplished that as a weak-side linebacker who is required to cover receivers and take on offensive linemen while stopping the run.

But Kornegay (5-foot-10 and 185 pounds) hasn’t been limited to just linebacker. He started a game at cornerback when Donovan Alexander was sidelined with a groin injury. Last Saturday, Kornegay started as a linebacker and then played defensive halfback in the Riders’ 33-30 overtime victory over the B.C. Lions when Eddie Davis was injured.

“Without Tad, I don’t know what we would do,’’ said Riders middle linebacker Rey Williams. “I don’t know if anyone outside of this team knows how valuable he is to us. If anyone goes down, he can play any position. He’s great to have around and it’s a real plus having him on the team.’’

There is statistical proof of what Kornegay has done in his third season with the Riders. He’s 11th in the CFL in total defensive tackles (65). He has forced four fumbles, recovered three fumbles and recorded three interceptions. Kornegay has also responded to all doubters about having a defensive back playing linebacker in Etcheverry’s unconventional defence.

“I call him ‘Touchdown Tad’ because he generates excitement,’’ said cornerback Omarr Morgan, who along with Williams hangs out with Kornegay during the Riders’ warmups before practice. “He does everything for us but play offence. He’s on the line blitzing, he’s a linebacker and he can play DB. He can return kicks and he would probably play a little receiver if you asked him.’’

Kornegay is enjoying his many roles with the Riders’ defence.

“They call me ‘Mr. Everything’ on this team,’’ Kornegay said with a chuckle. “That’s because I never know where I’m going to play from game to game. I might even play nose tackle some game. It’s pretty cool works because I know the scheme pretty well. The other guys feel comfortable if I’m beside them when someone does go down.’’

Kornegay was all over the field during practices leading up to today’s game due to injuries and illnesses. He worked out with the linebackers and took turns with the secondary. He could see time in the secondary today because Davis is sidelined with torn meniscus in his right knee. Kornegay said it’s just another week for him leading up to a game.

“It takes a lot of attention to detail,’’ said Kornegay, a 27-year-old native of Trenton, N.J. “I have to know what everyone else is doing because I never know what I’m going to be doing.’’
Williams feels that type of versatility makes Kornegay so valuable.

“The one thing that I’ve learned at this level is the more things you can do, the longer you will stay,’’ said Williams. “If you can play one more position, that’s less money the team has to spend on getting another player to fill that spot. It’s a blessing and I give Tad a lot of credit for being able to play more than one position.’’

Today’s game marks the return of Kornegay of Hamilton, the city where he started his CFL career in 2005. Kornegay spent two seasons with the Tiger-Cats before being traded to the Roughriders in 2007 for receivers Thyron Anderson and Jason French. Neither of those players remain with the Tiger-Cats.
“Defensively, Tad has been unbelievable,’’ said Etcheverry. “It’s everything from his effort to his understanding of the multiplicity of positions. One snap he’s playing deep and the next he’s two yards in the (offensive) backfield. He has been a remarkable player for us.’’

There is a price for that versatility. When it comes to voting for CFL all-stars, is Kornegay a linebacker or defensive back? There isn’t a listing for a hybrid like Kornegay.
“I would guess linebacker because that’s where they have me playing,’’ said Kornegay. “If they had a column for ‘Mr. Everything’, then I should be the only one. I would automatically be an all-star that way.’’

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

CATES DOESN'T NEED TO GET TO 1,000

With two games left in the Riders regular season, tailback Wes Cates needs 142 yards to reach the 1,000 yard rushing mark.
Photograph by: Chris Schwarz, Edmonton Journal files

REGINA — Wes Cates isn’t worried about being the odd man out.

Six starting tailbacks already have reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark this CFL season and a seventh is just 19 yards away. Cates, meanwhile, enters the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ game Saturday against the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats with 858 yards, meaning he needs 142 yards over his final two contests to reach the magic number.

If he doesn’t get there — and if Hamilton’s DeAndra’ Cobb gets the 19 yards he needs for 1,000 — Cates will be the only featured back to fall short.

“You can’t really worry about those things because if at the end of the season I’m the one with a ring, holding up the Grey Cup, I think (the other backs) are going to be the ones feeling left out and I’m not going to be thinking about that 1,000 yards,” Cates said Thursday at the Credit Union Eventplex.

“But the season’s not over yet. I’ve got two games and, realistically, it’s a very attainable goal. I think I need to average around 75 yards. That’s nothing.”

But Cates has had more than 75 yards rushing in just six of his 14 starts this season and has topped 60 yards in only one of his past four games. He had 58 yards on 15 carries in Saturday’s 33-30 overtime victory over the B.C. Lions.

He’s averaging 4.9 yards per carry this season, which also ranks last among the eight starting tailbacks. And only Cobb (with 170) has had fewer carries than Cates (175), who missed Saskatchewan’s first two games with a shoulder injury.

“You would like for a team to lean on the running back and the run game a little more, but we’ve been getting wins and we’ve been getting better in areas where we needed to improve,” Cates said. “As a team, we’ve been improving and that’s what’s most important.

“Would I like to get the ball more? I’d be lying if I said no. I’ve got to be productive with my touches and I guess this season maybe I haven’t been as productive as in previous seasons. But running backs need the ball to be productive.”

Cates rushed for 1,229 yards on 216 carries in 15 games in 2008. In ’07, his first season in Saskatchewan, he gained 866 yards on 152 rushes in 14 games.
His single-game high for carries in a game this season is 19, but he has had 15 or fewer attempts in nine of his 14 starts.

“One of the things last year in our season is we really rode Wes heavily for a long, long time,” said Roughriders head coach Ken Miller. “Going into this season, our goal was to spread out the number of carries and not just put the saddle on him and rely exclusively on him for the things that he can do. I think we’ve done a better job of managing the touches that he gets.”

“(Backup) Stu Foord’s been a productive football player for us at times, so we want to get him some touches and also keep Wes fresh,” added offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice. “That’s part of what we’re going to do. We feel we’ve got talented guys who can make plays.

“We don’t have to say, ‘Well, he got 1,000 yards.’ We’re not interested in that. The individual goals aren’t what we want. We want a team goal.”

The coaches are satisfied with the production the Roughriders are getting from the ground game, which ranks fifth in the CFL with an average of just over 111 yards per contest.

The loss of starting offensive linemen Wayne Smith (in the off-season) and Belton Johnson (in the first game) affected the team’s ability to run early, but LaPolice said the Roughriders feel they can run the ball when they need to do so.

Not surprisingly, Cates would like more opportunities to do so.

“The more touches you get as a back, the more comfortable you’re going to be running the ball,” he said. “Some games, it’s taken a half or three quarters before I really even get into any type of rhythm. But that’s what the defence has given us.

“Even though I’m last as far as starting backs in rushing, teams are still spying me, loading up the box and respecting the run. We’ve got to take advantage of that and move the ball around.
“I feel we could take more advantage of the run game, but that’s not the way our offence has been working right now. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, I guess.”

mailto:Lihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

CLERMONT'S CORNER

Saskatchewan Roughriders' Jason Clermont
Photograph by: leaderpost.com, photo illustration

When pigs fly ... well, the swine flu: There is a lot to consider when deciding how to protect your family from the pandemic of swine flu. And yes, I know the name has been formally changed to H1N1, but that sounds more like a short, round robot from Star Wars than a worldwide contagion. Although I am not big on vaccinations and have never gotten the shot for seasonal flu, I am thinking that I may get the vaccine to help protect my family.

With the travel that we do for football, as well as the physical nature of the game, I would hate to catch the virus and spread it to our teenaged daughter, nine-month-old son or my pregnant wife. Also, we have to consider the possible risks of vaccination while sifting through mountains of information out there. Some of it is downright frightening.

Mohawk Vaccine?

The Rider Mohawk has been spreading around our locker room. In a mid-October Leader-Post article, Andy Fantuz explained: "Some guys grow playoff beards, we're growing Mohawks. It's good to see a bunch of guys buying into it. They don't care what other people think and it shows that we're in this together.'' At the time, only a few guys had braved the clippers and they were recruiting others to join them.

Chris Getzlaf claimed that he had to maintain a level of professionalism for his job at Investors Group. A couple of days later -- Hawked up. I stated that the idea was great to have the starting five receivers and quarterback show unity with their Mohawks (conveniently, I was not included in that group). Last week, that statement bit me back when I was inserted into the starting lineup. By game time, both Johnny Quinn and I were Hawked up. In that same Leader-Post article, our leader proved to be a bit of a soothsayer ...

"We're trying to build something here,'' said Durant, whose head is normally clean-shaven. "I know that we're going to have more guys jump on the wagon this week. Hopefully we'll have a team full of Mohawks going into the playoffs.'' It's getting awful close to the playoffs, Stevie Baggs and Joel Bell ...

Our last Wild Game was not on TSN: The annual Wild Game Dinner took place on Monday night for Riders players, staff and alumni. It is an event that combines food, fellowship, a few cold ones and some stiff competition. The annual crib tournament seems to feature Jeremy O'Day in the final year after year (Team Szarka took the title), and an 11-player poker tournament lasted for hours with Andy Fantuz claiming bragging rights. The main event of the night was the dishes of wild game served for dinner. Pheasant, elk, duck, venison, bison and many other wild game were served and enjoyed by all of us at the Seven Oaks.

(Clermont's Corner appears weekly during football season.)

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

PS - HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE FOR THE FANS TO GET THE IDEA !!

ROUGHRIDERS HAPPY WITH THEIR ROOKIES

By Ian Hamilton, Leader-PostOctober 29,

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ crop of rookies in 2009 has been a bountiful one for the CFL team.

“We haven’t been disappointed with anybody who’s had the opportunity to play because, when called upon, we expect them to do well,” head coach Ken Miller said after Wednesday’s practice inside the Credit Union Eventplex.

“The (veteran) players themselves expect the young players to play well and (the veterans) do whatever they can to help them, tutor them, prepare them, and support them during the games. It’s not a surprise to me that we get really good performances when we put young players or non-starters into a game.”
Entering Saturday’s game against the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Saskatchewan will have three first-year CFLers (Joel Bell at right tackle, Johnny Quinn at wide receiver and Chris McKenzie at defensive back) in its starting lineup.

Two other starters — defensive tackle Keith Shologan (who played one game with Saskatchewan in 2008) and cornerback Donovan Alexander (four with the Montreal Alouettes) — are in their first full CFL season.
As well, the Roughriders have employed 12 other rookies at various times this season: Defensive backs Carlos Armour, Daniel Francis, Tamon George and Joel Lipinski; offensive linemen Bobby Harris and Nick Hutchins; linebackers Jerrell Freeman and Kye Stewart; defensive linemen Kevin Scott and Mike Stadnyk; quarterback Dalton Bell; and, receiver/returner Eric Morris.

“Our rookies for the most part have been big contributors . . .,” said Joe Womack, the Roughriders’ director of player personnel. “You don’t always expect them to be that productive. We’ve been fortunate that way.”
Womack and general manager Eric Tillman have assembled a group of rookies who could fill in when needed. That includes Freeman, who started one game at middle linebacker and rotated into that spot with Mike McCullough when Rey Williams was injured.

Freeman also has been a force on special teams, recording a team-high 23 tackles — a total that ties him for fourth in the CFL.

“When I first came in, I just wanted to make the team,” said Freeman, who also has 14 defensive tackles and a pass knockdown over the 15 games he has played this season. “Now I’m just out here doing what I can.
“I’m glad I can show what I’ve got in practice, get the trust of the coaches and the other players, and if something happens in the game, hopefully they won’t think twice about putting me in.”

That’s the same attitude George has. After sitting out Saskatchewan’s first 10 games, the Regina-born DB has dressed in each of the past six contests — a reflection of the progress he made with the help of the coaches and veterans.

“I think they trust me,” said George, a University of Regina Rams product who has two tackles this season. “I’ve had to prove in practice every single day that they can put me out there in the live bullets and feel comfortable with me.

“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised at (the playing time he has received). I’d just say I was working to build that trust with the coaches and have them understand I can be a good player in this league.”
Many CFL rookies have to adjust to the length of the schedule — “Man, this is a verrrry long season,” said Freeman, who played an average of 13 games over his four campaigns with the Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders — but it comes with the territory.

“It gets a little bit long, but at the same time, you have a goal in mind and you have to go through all of these steps to get to that ultimate goal,” George said. “All of us rookies have stuck together and we’ve made it so far.”

“(A long season) is fun,” Freeman added. “It’d be different if we weren’t winning and weren’t having fun. But this team is an easy team to get along with. Everybody’s happy go lucky and the coaching staff is good, so I’m good.”

ianhamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com

BAGGS AND CHICK

Riders' defensive ends Stevie Baggs (left) and John Chick during practice at the Credit Union EventPlex on Wednesday. The pair of defensive terrors are making a run for CFL sack leader. Baggs has 11 sacks and is tied with B.C. Lions defensive end Ricky Foley, while Chick has 10.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post

REGINA — There is room in professional football for friendly competition.

Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive ends Stevie Baggs and John Chick are involved in one for the team and league sack lead. Baggs has 11 sacks and is tied for the CFL lead with B.C. Lions defensive end Ricky Foley. Chick has recorded 10, good enough for a third-place tie with John Bowman of the Montreal Alouettes.

“John and I are competitive but it hasn’t led to any bad blood between us,’’ Baggs said after the Riders completed Wednesday’s workout at the Credit Union Eventplex. “It has actually brought us closer together because of the success that we’ve had. As long as we’re winning, that competition can be one that we strive for.’’

That doesn’t mean Chick and Baggs aren’t above some good-natured ribbing when it comes to those sack totals.

“We both want the lead but it’s really very friendly,’’ said Chick. “I can honestly say that it’s not on our minds to any great extent. When one guy gets one, the other guy says he’s going to get another one but what we’re really focused on is the next two weeks.’’

The final two weeks of the season hold a great deal of promise for the Riders. A win Saturday over the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats would clinch a home playoff game for the Roughriders. The Riders would finish first in the West Division for the first time since 1976 with a victory on Nov. 7 over the Calgary Stampeders.

“Two more wins and we’ve done something that this team hasn’t done in 33 years,’’ said Chick. “We’re really looking at that, getting a week’s rest and seeing who’s coming to our house. That is more important.’’

Baggs and Chick are among the league’s best pass-rushing ends and have helped the Riders (9-6-1) accumulate 37 sacks. The Lions are the CFL sack leaders with 42, followed by Montreal with 38. Defensive ends Bowman and Anwar Stewart lead Montreal with 19 combined sacks. Foley and Brent Johnson, the Lions’ defensive ends, have combined for 17 total sacks.

Baggs, Chick and Luc Mullinder, who is part of the Riders’ rotation at defensive end, have a total of 23 sacks. It’s a statistic that Baggs feels could be higher if the Riders played a more conventional defence.

“We’re a cutting-edge defence, which means we don’t have four down linemen rushing the quarterback,’’ said Baggs, who has 51 tackles, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception this season. “If John and I rushed every play — like most teams — we would have more sacks. Despite that, we’re still among the league leaders in sacks.’’

Chick feels the Riders’ defensive scheme is geared more toward the team than the sack totals of the defensive ends. Baggs and Chick didn’t record a sack in Saturday’s 33-30 overtime victory over the Lions but linebacker Sean Lucas had two and defensive halfback Eddie Davis had one.
“Last week, we were instrumental in a lot of defensive backs coming through,’’ said Chick, who this season has recorded 24 defensive tackles, five knockdowns, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. “We had three sacks last week where the DBs came through untouched because the Lions were worried about what we were doing.’’

Sack totals draw attention but Baggs and Chick have other goals. They want to disrupt the opposition’s offence and force turnovers. The Riders are tied for second in the league with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with 51 takeaways each. The Alouettes lead the CFL with 55 takeaways.

“We want to get a turnover as opposed to a sack,’’ said Baggs. “Ultimately we want to win and the man with the ball wins in the end.’’

NOTES: Wednesday’s inclement weather forced the Riders indoors. They have also scheduled today’s workout at the Eventplex ... Rookie Chris McKenzie is expected to start Saturday for defensive halfback Eddie Davis. Davis had arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Davis, who injured his knee early in Saturday’s win over the Lions, may be sidelined until the West Division final on Nov. 22 ... Kicker Luca Congi was sent home Wednesday due to illness. Riders head coach Ken Miller expects Congi to be OK for Saturday’s game. Linebackers Mike McCullough and Jerrell Freeman were at practice on Wednesday after missing Tuesday’s workout due to illness.

DAVIS TO UNDERGO SURGERY

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have to cover for the absence of their most-accomplished cover man for the remainder of the regular season, and perhaps into the CFL playoffs.

Defensive halfback Eddie Davis is to undergo arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He isn’t likely to return unless the Roughriders participate in the West Division final on Nov. 22.

“It’s a really big concern because he is such a leader in our secondary and so much of what we do revolves around the communication that he makes with other players,’’ Roughriders head coach Ken Miller said after Tuesday’s practice.

Davis was injured in Saturday’s 33-30 overtime victory over the visiting B.C. Lions. Lance Frazier, the Roughriders’ other starting defensive halfback, missed that game with dehydration but is expected to return Saturday against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ivor Wynne Stadium. With Davis sidelined, Chris McKenzie and Frazier are to be the starting halfbacks.

“Injuries are part of football,’’ Roughriders secondary coach Nelson Martin said. “You always have people who are in a backup capacity who have to be ready to play. For some of these players, this is an opportunity to show that they belong. As a coach, you have to get everybody prepared. It’s difficult as a backup when you’re not getting starting reps, but this is how you earn your keep with an opportunity like this.’’

Without Davis and Frazier for most of the B.C. game, the Roughriders moved Tad Kornegay from linebacker to defensive halfback to address one of the voids.

“Tad’s not a rookie, so he’s pretty comfortable playing any spot in the secondary,’’ Martin said. “Chris McKenzie did an outstanding job. We were very pleased with his positioning, his execution and his aggression. He did what we thought he was capable of doing. He was given the
opportunity and he delivered under pressure.’’

The game was also stressful for the coaches. Consider Martin’s situation after two of his best defensive backs were sidelined.

“My stomach was in knots, but that’s part of the excitement of the game,’’ he said. “You look in the NFL and Drew Bledsoe gets hurt and Tom Brady becomes a legend. He got his start on an injury. For some of these players, this is an opportunity, and they want to make the best of that opportunity.’’

The Roughriders’ secondary as a whole needs to have a strong game against red-hot Hamilton quarterback Kevin Glenn. Glenn has completed 57 of 82 passes — a 69.5-per-cent accuracy rate — for 828 yards over his past two games. He has displaced Quinton Porter as the Ti-Cats’ starter.

“They seem to have done the smart thing by giving Kevin Glenn starting reps,’’ Martin said. “He’s a terrific quarterback. He’s experienced. They’ve got a good receiving corps now and they’ve been very successful, putting up a lot of yards. We’ve got to play sound defence against them, with no blown coverages, and that’s going to be a challenge when you’re putting new people in the secondary, making sure that they’re all aware of their assignments.

“They’re a dangerous team. They’re fighting for their playoff lives. This game has as much at stake for them as it does us. For us, the playoffs have already started.’’

The Roughriders can clinch a third straight home playoff game with a victory over Hamilton. Saskatchewan and the Calgary Stampeders are tied for top spot in the West with 9-6-1 records. The Stampeders are to visit Mosaic Stadium on Nov. 7 in a first-place showdown.

Hamilton and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are tied for second in the East Division at 7-9-0. Both teams are hoping not to be bumped out of the playoff picture by the Edmonton Eskimos (also 7-9-0), who could earn a crossover berth.

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

I WOULD MUCH RATHER WIN BY 50

Riders receivers Chris Getzlaf and Andy Fantuz leave the field Saturday after Saskatchewan's second nail-biting overtime game in the past two weeks.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ propensity for heart-stopping comebacks makes for exciting games for fans and great television for viewers.
It’s not so great for coaches, though.

“I’d much rather win by 50,” Roughriders head coach Ken Miller said with a chuckle Tuesday after the CFL team practised at Mosaic Stadium.

In each of their past two games, the Roughriders rallied from 30-22, fourth-quarter deficits with a touchdown and a two-point convert to force overtime.

On Oct. 17, Saskatchewan and the Calgary Stampeders scored two TDs apiece in OT in a 44-44 tie. On Saturday, the Roughriders kicked a field goal on their first possession and then intercepted a pass to end the B.C. Lions’ possession in a 33-30 victory.

Four of Saskatchewan’s nine wins this season have been by four points or fewer. In three of those games, the Roughriders scored fourth-quarter majors to either take the lead or to force overtime.

Quarterback Darian Durant suggested the players are in a different place mentally in the fourth quarter than they are earlier in the game.

“You have to be; there’s no more time,” he said. “In the first quarter, you don’t want to have this attitude, but it feels like you have the whole game in front of you. In the fourth quarter, if you don’t make it, you lose the game.

“You have to have a different mindset when it comes to the last quarter of the game. That’s where mental toughness, that’s where physical toughness, that’s where the strong-minded and strong-willed always come out on top.”

And, right now, there isn’t any sense of panic in the Roughriders’ offensive huddle when they need a late score.

“If you’re worrying about panicking, you’re probably not going to run a successful play,” noted receiver Chris Getzlaf, whose 65-yard pass-and-run TD with 1:17 left in regulation time helped Saskatchewan post a 24-23 victory in Calgary on Aug. 1.

“Everyone’s in there saying, ‘Let’s go. This is our time. We’ve been here before. Let’s go out here and get it done. Run the plays and see what we’ve got.’ ”

The Roughriders have exuded that same confidence on two-point convert attempts. In three of their past four games, they’ve needed a two-point convert to knot the score — and have succeeded. One game ended in a loss (19-16 to the Lions on Oct. 2), one resulted in a tie (Oct. 17 in Calgary) and one ended in a win (Saturday against B.C.).

“The players do a good job,” said offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice, whose squad is 6-for-6 on two-point tries this season. “Each week we practise the scenario of the two-point play. It’s not something new to us. They’ve just done a great job of executing.”

But while the Roughriders have pulled off some amazing comebacks, they’ve also been victimized by them.

On July 25, the Edmonton Eskimos rallied from 22-0 deficit to take a 38-33, fourth-quarter lead. A late Saskatchewan drive failed to generate any points and Edmonton prevailed.
On Sept. 20, the Eskimos scored a late touchdown to take a 31-27 lead. The Roughriders marched down the field, but a last-play pass into the Edmonton end zone fell incomplete.
And on Oct. 2, after the Roughriders scored a late TD and two-point convert to tie the game 16-16, the Lions drove for a game-winning field goal with five seconds left in the fourth quarter.
The fact that comebacks are sometimes necessary irks Durant.

“It’s definitely frustrating,” he said. “We’ve jumped out to a nice lead numerous times this year and had to fight to win the game — and that’s not what we want to do.

“If you give yourself a 20-point cushion or a 14-point cushion, the thing you want to do is extend that cushion. For whatever reason, we haven’t been able to. But there’s no panic with this team and this staff. I know we’ll be able to capitalize more in the games to come.”

That’s because of their success in the games that have come and gone. That includes Durant’s first career start.

On July 12, 2008 in Hamilton, Durant led Saskatchewan on a five-play, 82-yard drive that culminated in a one-yard Wes Cates scoring run with 32 seconds left in regulation time. The Roughriders defeated the Tiger-Cats 33-28.

“In games I’ve played after that, we’ve been pretty successful in the latter parts of the fourth quarter,” Durant said. “When you start doing something and it works well, it carries over. That’s what’s happened with us in the fourth quarter.”

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

A LONG TIME SINCE THE LAST TIME WE FINISHED FIRST

By Murray McCormick, Leader-PostOctober 26, 2009

REGINA — There is a generation gap among the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The gap has been created by the Riders' pursuit of first place in the CFL's West Division, a feat they haven't accomplished since 1976. Saturday's 33-30 overtime victory over the B.C. Lions kept those hopes alive in 2009. Still, there are only five players on Saturday's 46-player active roster who were born when the Roughriders finished first in 1976.

The list of veteran players features defensive back Eddie Davis (36), offensive tackle Gene Makowsky (36), centre Jeremy O'Day (35), fullback Chris Szarka (34) and long-snapper Jocelyn Frenette (33).

"There are a lot of guys on team who weren't born but it's still a big thing to finish first,'' said Makowsky. "We also want to have some momentum going into the playoffs and to keep playing well.''

There is an appreciation of the franchise's history among the young players. They are aware that there have been three Grey Cup appearances (1989, 1997 and 2007) since 1976. The Roughriders won the Grey Cup in 1989 and 2007.

"I'm one of those players who wasn't born in 1976,'' Riders placekicker Luca Congi said with a chuckle. "Excluding the history and I know there is a long one ... we have a sense that we can do it. We have all of the players and the coaches to put this thing together. If you have that and a killer instinct, there isn't anything better.''

Some members of the 2009 Riders have experienced post-season success. Twenty-one players on the Riders' active roster were members of the 2007 Grey Cup champions. That squad finished second (12-6-0) in the West en route to beating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19 in the Grey Cup game.

"We share similar characteristics to the 2007 team in that we always fight back,'' said Congi. "We were never down and out. We have a strong belief in each other and in our coaches. You put all of that together and we're a solid team.''

The nucleus of the 2009 team has helped the Riders (9-6-1) post a winning record for three straight seasons. The last time that happened was during the run up to finishing first in 1976. The Riders were 9-7-0 in 1974, 10-5-1 in 1975 and first in 1976 at 11-5-0.

A win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday would lock up a third straight home playoff game for the Riders. The Roughriders were last home for four straight playoff games from 1973 to 1976. A victory over the Stampeders on Nov. 7 at Mosaic Stadium would clinch top spot for the Riders and a bye to the West Division final.

"(Saturday) proved how important a home playoff game can be,'' said Makowsky. "The crowd was really loud and B.C. had problems hearing the snap count. That might have made the difference.''

The 30,945 spectators made enough noise to rattle the Lions. B.C. was assessed an illegal procedure penalty late in the fourth quarter. The Lions were also ticketed for two illegal procedures during their lone offensive series in overtime.

* * *

Riders cornerback Donovan Alexander is a rookie under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement with the CFLPA but not under the league's rules for the rookie-of-the-year award
The CBA defines rookies as players who have dressed for six or less games in the previous season. The rules for the league award stipulate that a rookie can't have dressed for any game with a CFL or NFL team in the previous season.

That's why Alexander wasn't included among the list of 14 Riders' rookies released by the CFL last week despite being part of the team's rookie camp in May. Alexander dressed for four games with the Montreal Alouettes in 2008.

(Rider Beat appears Tuesdays during the CFL season.)

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

DURANT AND LANCASTER

By Rob Vanstone, Leader-PostOctober 26, 2009

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ starting quarterback is not even six feet tall. Detractors, and some coaches, have been selling him short for as long as he has been playing football.

He arrives in Saskatchewan without any fanfare, partially because he does not adhere to the prototype for a Canadian Football League quarterback. That might explain why he is relegated to backup duty, behind a thirtysomething retread who was thrown into action shortly after being handed a Roughriders playbook.
He overcomes the demotion, though, and eventually becomes the team’s unquestioned starter. His cause is advanced by a miraculous comeback against the Calgary Stampeders.

His throwing arm is not the strongest. The passes are not always pretty — and they are intercepted more frequently than Roughriders fans would prefer — but the quarterback makes amends.

Ever resilient, he is noted for fourth-quarter comebacks that more than counteract any turnovers for which he is responsible. Ultimately, he is unconcerned with numbers, except for those which appear beneath the win column in the CFL standings.

Anyone you know?

It might be Ron Lancaster.

Or, it could be Darian Durant.

Granted, one ventures into dangerous territory when he dares to compare anyone to the iconic Lancaster. After all, the Little General’s legend was cemented during 16 seasons in Saskatchewan. Durant is a fourth-year Rider with a mere 20 CFL starts to his credit.

But, honestly, are there not some striking similarities?
The 5-foot-9 3/4 Lancaster landed in Regina in July of 1963, after being obtained from the Ottawa Rough Riders for the low, low price of $500. The Leader-Post’s introductory mention of Lancaster was in the ninth paragraph of a story that led with the news that the Roughriders had released Chuck Gullickson, Dave Shaw and Ken Webster.

The 5-foot-11 Durant became a Roughrider on April 12, 2006, when a deal was made with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to obtain their first pick in a dispersal draft of refugees from the defunct Ottawa Renegades. The marquee player in that scenario was quarterback Kerry Joseph, whom Saskatchewan selected first overall. As part of the trade, the Roughriders and Tiger-Cats swapped negotiation-list quarterbacks. Reggie Ball of Georgia Tech went to Hamilton in return for Durant, a North Carolina alum.

Lancaster enjoyed some success in his first few starts as a Rider, but the patience of head coach Bob Shaw wore thin. Lancaster was replaced by Lee Grosscup, and then by 35-year-old Frank Tripucka, before

reclaiming the starting job. After engineering “The Little Miracle of Taylor Field’’ during a 1963 playoff game against Calgary, Lancaster was the starter for the next 15 seasons.

The 2008 Roughriders won the first three games started by Durant, but he suffered a rib injury in the latter contest. He started one more game last season, but most of the quarterbacking was done by 32-year-old Michael Bishop. Like Tripucka, Bishop was named the starter shortly after arriving in Regina. This season, it is a different story. Durant has started all 16 games, including two visits to Calgary in which he orchestrated improbable comebacks.

Lancaster is the CFL’s all-time leader in interceptions, with 396. Durant’s 20 picks are the most in the CFL this year.

In the case of Lancaster, he could throw four interceptions and one touchdown pass in a game, but the latter throw would end up being the game’s signature play. Durant evoked images of Lancaster on Saturday, when the Roughriders outlasted the B.C. Lions 33-30 in overtime. The cause appeared to be lost when the Lions’ Barron Miles intercepted Durant and raced 42 yards to paydirt, helping the Lions assume a 30-22 lead with 3:16 remaining. Undaunted, Durant marched the Riders 85 yards in five plays, punctuating the drive with a 29-yard TD toss to Johnny Quinn. Durant then found Chris Getzlaf for a game-tying two-point convert.

Thanks in large part to Durant’s late-game heroics, the Riders enhanced their chances of finishing atop the West Division for the first time since 1976 — when Saskatchewan’s starting quarterback was, of course, Ron Lancaster.

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com

FINAL FEW MINUTES ARE PRODUCTIVE

By Kevin Mitchell, Saskatchewan News Network;

They're the World's Most Interesting Football Team, though their fans might wish for something a little less dramatic.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders, after extricating themselves Houdini-style from locked boxes and watery tombs, proceed to squirm from the coils of a boa constrictor. It's always a tight squeeze for these guys.
Since their 55-10 thrashing of Winnipeg on Sept. 13, five of Saskatchewan's six games have been decided by four points or fewer. Late touchdown drives have become routine.

Even head coach Ken Miller caught the fever. "I looked at the scoreboard, and when I saw the score was 30-22, I thought, 'We've got this one,' '' a grinning Miller said to great laughter from assembled media following Saturday's 33-30 come-from-behind overtime win against the B.C. Lions.

The joke, of course, is that Saskatchewan was trailing 30-22 at the time, not leading.

But this is a team that has successfully converted three emergency two-point converts over the last four weeks. Late touchdown drives and sudden dramas are becoming routine.

Saturday, Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant threw a fourth-quarter interception that Barron Miles returned for a touchdown. That play gave B.C. the 30-22 lead Miller referenced later, with just over three minutes on the clock.

Remarkably, numerous fans could be seen exiting the stadium at that point.
They were, literally, walking through the parking lots as the Roughriders launched their comeback.
Those fans, we presume, were watching their first CFL football game and had never heard about the home team's penchant for gut-wrenching drama. Nothing else could explain such idiocy.

Because, of course ...

There was Durant, down on the field, far from the parking lot, surrounded by his teammates.
They said later they could see fire in his eyes.

"We've been here numerous times this year, and we've scored every time. Why's this time going to be any different?'' Durant said when asked what he told his teammates. "I looked all the guys in the eyes and told them to look at me, and I said, 'We're going to score,' and we did.''

Unfazed by the interception, Durant led the Roughriders on a five-play, 85-yard drive capped off by Johnny Quinn's 29-yard TD reception with 1:53 to play. Durant then rifled a two-point convert pass that Chris Getzlaf hugged tight, and the game was tied. Just like that.

Roughriders placekicker Luca Congi hit the left upright on a 49-yard field goal attempt in the dying seconds of regulation, but he nailed a 29-yarder in overtime. B.C., on its possession, drove in impressive manner to Saskatchewan's eight-yard line -- but that's when Roughrider defensive back James Patrick stepped in front of Geroy Simon and notched the game-saving interception in the end zone.

"No offence,'' Durant said, "but we have some older fans, and we don't want anyone stressing themselves out and something bad happening (cardiac-wise). We would love to make these games a lot easier. But that's the price of admission, man. They're getting every penny worth of their ticket. That's what it's all about.''
Here, for illustrative purposes, is Saskatchewan's three-minute offence breakdown for the season:

Aug. 1: Getzlaf catches a 65-yard touchdown pass from Durant with 1:27 to play, giving Saskatchewan a 24-23 win over Calgary.

Oct. 2: Andy Fantuz catches a 24-yard touchdown pass from Durant with 2:40 to play, followed by a two-point convert, tying their game with B.C. 16-16. The Lions win on a field-goal with nine seconds to play.

Oct. 17: Fantuz catches a 25-yard pass from Durant with 1:01 to play, and the two-point convert ties their game with Calgary at 30-30. In the shootout overtime, Saskatchewan scores two clutch touchdowns in two possessions and settles for a 44-44 tie.

Oct. 24: See above.
"I have tremendous belief in the men in the locker room,'' Miller said simply. "They have faced adversity and they answer adversity on a regular basis.''
And now, thanks to Saturday's win, Saskatchewan knows it will make the playoffs.
The Roughriders continue to fight Calgary for first place -- a lofty perch Saskatchewan hasn't occupied since 1976. Only six Roughriders who dressed for Saturday's game even existed in 1976.
Saskatchewan plays Hamilton this weekend, and closes out its schedule against Calgary -- at Mosaic Stadium -- in what should be an absolute zoo.

Roughriders receiver Rob Bagg, who caught eight balls for 124 yards and a touchdown Saturday, said he's not expecting the scoreboard to provide a mental break over the final two weeks of the regular season. But he's not asking for one, either.

"This is what you live for,'' Bagg said. "When you're playing touch football, or just playing pickup in the backyard, when you're just about to go in you always say, 'Okay; tie game, let's see who can win.' That's what it all comes down to. You love playing football and you love the close ones.''

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

RIDERS WIN !!!

Saskatchewan's Sean Lucas sacks B.C. quarterback Casey Printers during Saturday's CFL contest at Mosaic Stadium.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post

A second straight overtime effort paid off in a West Division playoff berth for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Riders defeated the B.C. Lions 33-30 in overtime on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium to clinch a post-season berth and remain in the hunt for first place in the West Division. The Roughriders improved to 9-6-1, good enough to tie the Calgary Stampeders for first place.

Last Saturday, the Riders and Stampeders played to a 44-44 overtime tie at McMahon Stadium.
Luca Congi kicked the game-winning field goal on a 29-yard effort on the Riders' first offensive series in overtime. James Patrick then intercepted a Casey Printers pass in the end zone to clinch the victory for the Riders.

The Lions fell to 8-8-0, third in the West Division.

The teams went into overtime tied 30-30 after Congi's 50-yard field-goal attempt bounced off the left upright.

The Riders earned a 30-30 regulation tie after Darian Durant hit Johnny Quinn on a 29-yard touchdown pass. Durant then connected with Chris Getzlaf on a two-point convert that tied the game.

B.C. seemed in control after scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Printers, making his first start since 2005 with the Lions, hit Michael Bumpus with a 29-yard touchdown pass. Safety Barron Miles then returned a Durant interception 42 yards to help B.C. grab a 30-22 lead.

Printers also connected with Emanuel Arceneaux on a 34-yard touchdown pass.
The Riders jumped into a 19-6 first-half lead on the strength of a one-yard touchdown run by Steven Jyles and a 32-yard touchdown reception by Rob Bagg. Congi also connected on a field goal and a single.
Paul McCallum scored all of B.C.'s first-half points on three field goals.

The touchdown was part of a solid first half for Bagg. He had five receptions for 107 yards.
Defensively, the Riders were solid against Printers, sacking the B.C. quarterback twice.

The Riders' secondary was also challenged when starting defensive halfback Lance Frazier was scratched due to an illness. Frazier's spot was taken by Chris McKenzie. In the first quarter, veteran defensive halfback Eddie Davis was sidelined with an ankle injury after sacking Printers for a 13-yard loss.

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

DARIAN DURANT

Riders quarterback Darian Durant looking for an open receiver during the second half of Saturday's game against the host Calgary Stampeders.
Photograph by: Todd Korol, Reuters

As a regular feature, StarPhoenix sports reporter Cory Wolfe gets personal with a sports figure. Today, Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant gets cornered.

The SP: Much has been made of John Chick's hit on Henry Burris when the Calgary pivot was down. Do you side with your teammate or the quarterback fraternity on this one?

Durant: Oh, man. That's tough. I probably would have to go with my teammate on this one. I don't think that the hit was that violent so I would have to go with Chick.

The SP: So you'd be willing to absorb a similar hit from B.C.'s Brent Johnson this weekend? You know, like a sacrifice for the team?

Durant: I can't sit here and say that it would be easy to absorb as a quarterback because I know that it wasn't necessarily a small-type hit. But at the same time, this isn't touch football. Guys are going to get hit.

The SP: Well said. OK, I know of at least one little girl in Saskatchewan named Darian. Kids in the province are named after you! How's that for pressure?

Durant: Oh, man. That is (pressure). First of all, I feel blessed to even be in a position where someone has their name after me -- that I'm important to them. That's a big deal for me, but Saskatchewan has enough pressure itself. I doubt if (the kid) was named after me, but Darian is a great name.

The SP: Have you ever worn a watermelon helmet? If not, why not?

Durant: I have not worn one, and I'd have to say it's because I've never had access to one.

The SP: You can make your own. It's just like carving a pumpkin, I think.

Durant: I don't have the patience for that. (Laughs)

The SP: What's the most ridiculous example of Rider Pride you've witnessed?

Durant: For people to be out there in freezing weather with no shirts on. I think that's insane.

The SP: You share a hometown (Florence, South Carolina) with former Riders receiver Joey Walters. Are you familiar with his work?

Durant: Oh, yeah. Definitely. I was inducted into the Florence Athletic Hall of Fame during the off-season and he was the keynote speaker. We got a chance to talk a lot and I found out a lot about the things he's done up here in Saskatchewan.

The SP: Riders running back Chris Szarka is seeking a seat on Regina's city council. Why not capitalize on your own popularity and run for mayor?

Durant: I think you have to be a citizen first, right? (Laughs) I'm working on that. Hopefully everyone that's involved with the Riders accepts me as the quarterback and I would love to make Saskatchewan home.

The SP: You have a reputation for being a straight shooter. A lot of athletes speak in clichés, but you speak very honestly. Where does that come from?

Durant: It comes from my mother (Betty). She always tells me never to beat around the bush. She says, "Don't worry about what people think. Say what's on your mind as long as it's in the right context."

The SP: You're the top passer in University of North Carolina history. How does the size of your shrine at UNC compare to Michael Jordan's?

Durant: (Laughs) There's no comparison at all. That guy is the greatest athlete ever. . . .
When you go into the basketball office and facility, they're sponsored by Jordan so there's Jordan pictures and advertisements everywhere.

The SP: You spent time on the Baltimore Ravens' practice roster. What's your best Brian Billick story? That guy was a quote machine.

Durant: It wasn't necessarily a quote, but it was a tradition that they had there. It was called The Ugly Man Award. They would take votes and give an award to the ugliest guy on the team. I thought that was pretty hilarious. The guys just put in votes. You see the paper with the roster on it and you put a check by the guy you felt was ugliest on the team.

The SP: A guy can't even phone home and tell his mom, "Hey, I won this award." That's kind of cold, isn't it?

Durant: I know, right? But it's all in fun.

The SP: So who won when you were there?

Durant: Terrell Suggs.

The SP: And was that your vote?

Durant: Of course.

The SP: How come?

Durant: Oh, man. (Laughs) I don't like to talk about people that way.

The SP: OK, fair enough. That's putting you in a tough spot. Which teammate is your toughest adversary when it comes to Xbox football?

Durant: Kitwana Jones. He sits at home and plays it all day, every day. I have other things going on, so whenever I get a chance to play, that's when I play. He pretty much has my number just because he's an Xbox fanatic.

The SP: And finally, you and several teammates are sporting mohawks for team unity. What's it going to take to get head coach Ken Miller on board?

Durant: (Laughs) I don't know. Maybe a home Western final game. Hopefully we finish in first place and then I'll bring it up to him so that he has a mohawk for the Grey Cup. That would be pretty funny.

cwolfe@sp.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

INSIDE THE LINES

By Murray McCormick, Leader-PostOctober 23, 2009


REGINA — BY THE STANDINGS: The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders were tied for first place (8-6-1) in the West Division heading into Week 17. The B.C. Lions (8-7-0) head into the week third in the division and have won three straight. The Stampeders were to play the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday.

SEASON SERIES WATCH: The Lions lead the season series with the Riders 2-1. B.C. also holds a 14-point advantage in points-for and points-against. The Riders need to win by at least 15 points to win the season series between the clubs.

DOUBLE THREAT: The Lions are expected to use A.J. Harris and Martell Mallett at running back. Both runners have enjoyed success against the Riders. Mallett is a speedster with explosive power. In Harris’s last outing against the Riders, he rushed for 189 yards and a touchdown 21 carries on Aug. 21, 2008 as a member of the Edmonton Eskimos. Mallett has 43 carries for 243 yards and a touchdown in three starts against the Riders in 2009. To be successful, the Riders have to slow down the Lions’ running game.

QUINN IN: Import Johnny Quinn starts as the Riders’ short-side wide receiver for the injured Gerran Walker (ankle). Quinn doesn’t have the speed of Walker but is a good possession receiver. Quinn also showed his ability to find space in last Saturday’s 44-44 overtime tie with the Stampeders. Quinn broke free in overtime for an 18-yard pass from quarterback Darian Durant when the Riders were facing third-and-10.

WHAT A RUSH: Riders fullback Chris Szarka has rushed for five touchdowns this season. This has been exceeded by one his touchdowns total from 2005 to 2008, inclusive.

CLOSE THE CATES: Riders running back Wes Cates has been non-existent against the Lions this season. Cates has been limited to 70 yards on 22 carries in two starts. The Riders need to get Cates going to take some pressure off their passing attack.

GETTING STARTED: Riders slotback Jason Clermont is to make his first start of the season. Clermont, who has been used sparingly, earned the start after recording 90 yards on four receptions in last Saturday’s tie with Calgary.

SPECIAL SPECIAL-TEAMER OUT: Canadian Jason Arakgi, who led the CFL and the Lions with 33 special-team tackles heading into Week 17, is sidelined with a quadriceps injury. Jerome Dennis has been added to the roster but the Lions will be hard-pressed to replace Arakgi’s play on special teams.

KICKING AROUND: The Riders are dressing import Louie Sakoda in case something happens to Luca Congi, who is to handle all of the kicking duties for the injured punter and kicker Jamie Boreham (neck). Congi is coming off a solid game as a punter against the Stampeders, where he averaged 50.4 yards on five punts. Sakoda could see some action as the Riders would like to work the rookie on to the active roster.

BUMPUS-AND-RUN: Michael Bumpus is to make his second start at wide receiver for the Lions. He’s replacing Ryan Grice-Mullen, who may be faster but doesn’t possess the sure hands of Bumpus. Bumpus is also expected to see some action as a returner.

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

RIDERS HOLD DESTINY IN THEIR OWN HANDS

By Rob Vanstone, Leader-PostOctober 23, 2009

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders hope to savour the sweep smell of success.

“If we don’t go 3-and-0, there’s nothing guaranteed to us,’’ slotback Andy Fantuz observed when asked about the final three weeks of the CFL’s 2009 regular season. “We like it that way. We like our destiny to be in our own hands. As long as we win, we know where we’ll be. It’s going to be a fight and a grind, but we’re getting close to money time and playoff time. Win or go home.’’

The Roughriders would prefer a “win and go home’’ scenario.

By winning the final three games — beginning with Saturday’s home date against the B.C. Lions — Saskatchewan can ensure that it will finish atop the West Division for the first time since 1976. If the protracted drought is snapped, the Riders will stage the division final. A second-place finish would also enable Saskatchewan to stage a home playoff game (a West semifinal, in this case) for the third successive year.

“It’s extremely exciting because we don’t have anybody else to depend on,’’ defensive end Stevie Baggs said. “We’ve got to depend on ourselves. We can’t depend on B.C. to lose to another team. We’re playing them this week.

“You have to come together and depend on yourselves. I think us doing what we did last week was evidence that we can move forward collectively and be successful.’’
Seldom is momentum garnered from a non-victory, but the events of one week ago were a notable exception.

Last Saturday, Roughriders played to a 44-44 overtime draw with the host Calgary Stampeders, who are the defending Grey Cup champions. The result left the Roughriders and Stampeders tied atop the division with 8-6-1 records — marginally ahead of B.C. (8-7-0) and the Edmonton Eskimos (7-8-0).

Calgary played in Edmonton on Friday night. Another crucial divisional game, between Saskatchewan and B.C., is imminent. Thereafter, the Riders will turn their attention to next Saturday’s matchup with the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats before completing the regular season Nov. 7 when Calgary visits Regina for a potential first-place showdown.

The Riders’ immediate priority, though, is to tame their nemesis from B.C., which can overtake the Riders by winning today.

If not for a dropped pass by the Lions’ Ryan Grice-Mullen in the July 3 regular-season opener, won 28-24 by Saskatchewan, the Green and White would be 0-and-3 against B.C. The Riders have lost their past two games against the Lions.

The onus is on Saskatchewan’s offence to produce at or near last week’s level instead of labouring, as it has in all three meetings with B.C.

The Lions are hardly invulnerable to the run, yet Saskatchewan tailback Wes Cates has been stymied during two visits to Vancouver. Complicating matters, the Roughriders have not been able to compensate through the air. The offensive struggles are atypical for a Saskatchewan team that leads the West in points scored, with 445.

In three games against B.C. this season, Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant has a 64.7 quarterback rating — compared to 88.4 against everyone else.

The Roughriders’ pivot has 17 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions against opponents other than B.C. Against the Lions, Durant’s interceptions (seven) dwarf the touchdown passes (three).
However, resiliency is one of Durant’s most noteworthy attributes. If he can solve the puzzle that is the Lions’ defence, the Riders’ chances of winning the division would be enhanced.
Durant will be in exclusive company if the ever-elusive goal of finishing first is attained.
Since the introduction of the Saskatchewan Roughriders — previously the Regina Rugby Club and the Regina Roughriders — in 1948, only two men have quarterbacked the team to first place. Glenn Dobbs accomplished that feat in 1951. Ron Lancaster quarterbacked the West’s regular-season champions in 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1976.

In other words, the abbreviated list of the Roughriders’ first-place field generals does not include two Grey Cup-winning pivots — Kent Austin (1989) and Kerry Joseph (2007).

Yet, Durant has an opportunity as a first-year starter to pilot the Riders to top spot — a perch the team has occupied only six times since 1936. His performance in the next three games will play a significant role in dictating the Roughriders’ fortunes.

“This is what you play for — cold weather, down to the nitty gritty,’’ Durant said. “Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games. This is what it’s all about.’’

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com

BIG GAME FOR THE RIDERS !!

Riders quarterback Darian Durant and running back Wes Cates need to have big games in order to beat the visiting B.C. Lions on Saturday. The Lions' defence stuffed the Riders' air and ground attacks during the clubs first three meetings this season.
Photograph by: Nick Procaylo, The Province files

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping that the past isn't an indication of what might be in store for them Saturday against the B.C. Lions.

The Lions roll into Saturday's West Division battle at sold-out Mosaic Stadium (3:30 p.m., CKRM, TSN) having won two of their last three games against the Roughriders. B.C. has done that with a suffocating run defence, which in three games held the Riders to a total of 202 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Riders quarterback Darian Durant was limited to 742 passing yards while completing 46 of 80 pass attempts. The Lions also forced Durant into seven interceptions and allowed only three touchdown passes over that span. Against the other six CFL teams, Durant is 234-for-380 for 2,928 yards, 17 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.

"I wish I could pinpoint what they do but I don't dwell on it,'' Durant said Friday after the Riders completed their walk-through at Mosaic Stadium. "I try to keep moving forward and make the most of (Saturday). I'm not really focused on what they did to me in the past.''

The Lions sound like they don't want anything to do with a change. A 19-16 victory over the Roughriders on Oct. 2 at BC Place sparked the Lions. The win launched B.C. on a three-game wining streak and the Lions head into today's showdown at 8-7-0, a point behind the first-place Riders (8-6-1).

"We're motivated,'' Lions middle linebacker JuJuan Armour said Friday. "We're motivated by it being a West Division game and by it being an opportunity to move into the playoffs as a No. 1. We're playing for a lot of things and all of those goals that we have in mind are an arm's reach away. We want a Grey Cup ring and we know to do that we have to win out.''

The Riders know that by winning their remaining three games they could finish first in the West Division for the first time since 1976. There are also more immediate concerns that would be taken care of with a victory over the Lions.

"We need this,'' said Riders running back Wes Cates. "If you go back to last year, we're 1-3 (including a 33-12 loss in the 2008 West Division semifinal) in our last four meetings with B.C. We have to turn the tables on them and this is perfect setting to do that.''

The Riders also feel that establishing a running game would go a long way in helping them overcome the Lions. Despite B.C.'s success in stopping the Riders' run, the Lions are last in the league in total rushing yards allowed (1,978) and have surrendered a league-high 131.9 yards per game.

"I put some of the onus on myself,'' said Cates, who has 22 carries for 70 yards in two starts against the Lions. "I want to do the best job that I can do to help us be successful in the rushing game because that's what I'm a major part of. I take it personally.''

Cates will have to accomplish that against an inspired Lions' defence.

"We've done an outstanding job in stopping Wes Cates,'' said Armour. "We've played outstanding defence and we haven't allowed them 100 rushing yards in a game. That's our goal for the remainder of the season and I don't see it being a task that we can't do.''

Durant feels that the Riders are prepared if the Lions continue to shut down Cates.
"We want to let Wes dictate what the defence does every game,'' said Durant. "We have some other wrinkles that we can throw at them if Wes can't get off.''

Armour said the Lions have a response for whatever the Riders' offence does throw at them.
"We have the best group of defensive backs in the league,'' said Armour. "We can play man coverage and not be scared to do so. That gives our linebackers and the defensive line an opportunity to stop the run and be aggressive. As long we can stop the run, we can make teams be one dimensional and that's what we want with our DBs.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

LIONS VERSUS RIDERS - GREAT RIVALRY

By Mitchell BlairFor Riderville.com

The B.C Lions and the Saskatchewan Roughriders are getting ready to add another chapter to what may be the best rivalry in the CFL. As the two teams get ready to step on the Mosaic Stadium turf Saturday afternoon, one can expect that it will be a game that could come right down to the last play.

In fact, since 1999, the two teams have played 33 games against one another and in those 33, 19 of them have seen the winner win by seven points or less with 13 of those games being decided by three points or less.

Riders coach Ken Miller is at a loss for words as to why games between the two teams are seemingly always so close, but he will say that it seems like the target is on the back of his team each and every week no matter the opposition. “Its turned into a great rivalry and I’m not sure why it is,” said Miller during his pre-game address with the media on Friday.

“But it seems to me as if the Saskatchewan Roughriders have become everyone’s greatest rivalry no matter where we go or who comes here. We get the opponents best week in and week out.”

Jason Clermont is no stranger to the rivalry albeit from the other side. Clermont spent his first seven years in the CFL as a member of the Lions before moving to his home-town Riders in the off-season. “It’s tough for me to say the Lions are Saskatchewan’s biggest rival because I’ve only been here for three-quarters of a season,” Clermont said.

“However, being on the other side of the coin for so long, yeah, I can say that Saskatchewan was definitely B.C.’s biggest rival. “I don’t think its so much the teams as it is the situations. We’ve been pitted against one another at times when the games have meant so much whether it be a playoff game or not.

”The football team is coming off that much debated tie against Calgary one week ago, a game that many in the organization believe they should have won had it not been for a controversial penalty against John Chick in overtime. The man who took that penalty doesn’t believe that game is lingering in the minds of the Riders as they get ready for the showdown against B.C.

“Speaking for myself and I think speaking for my team-mates, I can tell you that game isn’t on anyone’s mind anymore,” declares Chick. “That game is in the past and we are concentrating on beating the B.C Lions. We’ve had a lot of close losses this year and we haven’t dwelled on those and we’re not dwelling on what happened last weekend either.

”The Riders go into the game with a record of 8-7-1. A win would leave them a little closer to finishing first in the West for the first time since 1976. A B.C. win would catapult them one point ahead of Saskatchewan in the standings as they are 8-7. Game time is 3:30 pm. TSN will have the game with Chris Cuthbert and Glen Suitor while those not around a TV will be huddled around their radio to hear Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri provide the call on Riders Radio 620 CKRM. NOTES:•

John Chick had one sack in the NFL. It came in a pre-season game when he played for the Houston Texans. The quarterback he sacked was Kansas City Chief, now B.C. Lion Casey Printers•

Darian Durant is 330 yards away from reaching the 4,000 yard mark in passing. Only three other Riders have had a 4,000 yard year through the air.

They are Kent Austin, Henry Burris and Kerry Joseph. Austin did it four times as a Rider while Burris did it twice. •

The game features the two co-leaders in sacks as both Saskatchewan’s Stevie Baggs and B.C.’s Ricky Foley have 11. Chick is next with 10• The Riders are tied for most TD’s this year. Montreal and Saskatchewan have each put the ball in the endzone 43 times. Saskatchewan leads the league in rushing TD’s with 21.

RIDER PRIDE LIVES WITH OUR SENIORS

RIDERS GO TO VISIT OLD FOLKS HOME. THIS IS A GREAT VIDEO ON RIDER PRIDE !!

CLICK HERE http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Video+Riders+visit+residents+Extendicare+Parkside/2134295/story.html?tab=VID

TRYING SEASON FOR CLERMONT

Riders receiver Jason Clermont reached the 1,000 yards receiving mark three times with the B.C. Lions. Over his first 15 games with Saskatchewan, Clermont has caught 21 passes for 305 yards.

Photograph by: Dean Bicknell, Calgary Herald files

REGINA — Jason Clermont is having a trying initial season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Regina-born slotback has been trying to get more opportunities on the field, he has been trying to contribute when he does play, and he has been trying to find positives to derive out of his first CFL campaign in Regina.

Asked Thursday if this has been a difficult season for him, Clermont replied: “Hell, yeah. Absolutely.”

“You try to do what you can do,” he continued. “I’m looking at it as a bit of a blessing because my workload has been lessened and I’m feeling really healthy for it. I’ve got to look on the bright side and that’s a positive thing for me.”

After graduating from Robert Usher Collegiate, Clermont starred with the PFC’s Regina Rams and the University of Regina Rams before being taken by the B.C. Lions with the fourth overall pick in the 2002 Canadian college draft.

He was named the CFL’s most outstanding rookie in ’02 and its most outstanding Canadian in ’04 and ’07, and he went over 1,000 yards receiving three times (’04, ’05 and ’07). But the Lions released him in December, opening the door for him to sign with the Roughriders just days later.

Expectations among denizens of the Rider Nation were high that Clermont would team with Andy Fantuz to give Saskatchewan a dominating pair of inside receivers. Instead, Clermont was platooned with other receivers in a position different from the one he played in B.C., and his numbers suffered.

Over the 13 games in which he has played, the 6-foot-3, 227-pounder has caught 21 passes for 305 yards with no touchdowns. Clermont was a healthy scratch in two other games.
Fans who expected more from the veteran aren’t the only ones surprised by his production.
“It’s frustrating for sure,” Clermont admitted. “But I’m no different than the next guy who has played and had some success and then doesn’t play for a bit.

“Everybody feels like they can contribute and if they don’t feel like that and they don’t feel like they should be on the field, then you probably don’t want them on your team. You want guys who are hungry and want to play — and we’ve got a roster full of those guys.”

Earlier this season, Clermont said he had to create opportunities for himself by showing the coaches what he could do. That’s an ongoing process, but he doesn’t know how much more he has to offer.

“I do what I can do every day,” said Clermont, 30. “I’m not going to ask myself to do any more because if I’m asking myself to do more the next day, then I didn’t give enough the day before.
“I’ve been learning all the positions. The coaches said, ‘If you want to be a pro and a plug-and-play player, you’ve got to know everything and where everybody’s at.’ I’ve been trying to do that.”

An ankle injury to receiver Gerran Walker early in Saturday’s 44-44 tie with the host Calgary Stampeders gave Clermont more playing time. He responded with his best statistical game of the season, making four catches for 90 yards, including a 65-yarder. Roughriders head coach Ken Miller called Clermont’s contributions “very, very gratifying.”

“It was inevitable,” fullback Neal Hughes — who played with Clermont in junior and university — said of the slotback’s breakout game. “He’s a playmaker and I’ve seen that watching him his entire career. It was just a matter of time before he got a shot.

“It’s not a matter of whether he can do it or not, it’s just a matter of getting out there on the field.”

Clermont is hopeful he’ll get to contribute again Saturday, when the Roughriders play host to the Lions. His showing in Calgary didn’t necessarily provide him with a sense of gratification.
“I’ve always expected to play,” he said. “I expect to play and I expect to play well . . . The thing about it is, we’ve got young guys who can make plays.

“It’s bit of a conundrum and a bit of a Catch-22 for me because I’m a team player, but I also know I’m not a backup. How do you balance the two things when half of it isn’t your decision?”
That said, Clermont will abide by whatever decisions the coaches make.

“When you’re winning football games and the coaches are making decisions that are helping you to win football games, I don’t think you should complain,” he said. “Ultimately, (winning) is what football is all about.”

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com

The Saskatchewan Roughriders were under the big top (a.k.a. the Credit Union Eventplex) on Thursday.
Here are a few of the things that caught our attention:

— Head coach Ken Miller said the team practised indoors so that it could focus on its preparations for Saturday's home game against the B.C. Lions instead of the conditions.

— In the early stages of the practice, the players and coaches had to wait for workers to manually lift (using a chain) a huge garage door on the side of the Eventplex to give the team's scissor lift access to the field. The racket caught everyone's attention — and also served to prepare for the Roughriders for the crowd noise they'll face inside BC Place Stadium the next time they're out there.

— Wide receiver Gerran Walker didn't practise Thursday. The man many expect to replace Walker in the starting lineup, Chris Jones, didn't get much time with the first-team offence. Instead, slotback Chris Getzlaf got most of the reps out wide, with Rob Bagg, Jason Clermont and Andy Fantuz inside. Johnny Quinn manned the other wide receiver spot.

— Many of the spectators on hand cheered loudly after wide receiver David McKoy snagged a long pass among three defenders. It was the second straight day McKoy made a great grab during practice.

— Defensive back Joel Lipinski, who usually wears No. 49, was sporting No. 46 on Thursday. Early on in practice, Lipinski traded jerseys with Kitwana Jones, who normally wears No. 26. Jones wore 46 in his previous go-round with the Roughriders; Kye Stewart started this season wearing 46 before he sustained a knee injury.

— The Roughriders' defence is preparing for whichever quarterback the Lions decide to employ Saturday. Reports out of Vancouver on Thursday suggest Casey Printers will start the game due to injuries to Buck Pierce, Travis Lulay and Jarious Jackson

DURANTS STATISTICS

By Rob Vanstone Thu, Oct 22 2009


Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant has had a fine season (see Tuesday's column, or tomorrow's), but the B.C. Lions remain a puzzle.

Durant has a 64.7 quarterback rating against B.C. (which the Roughriders have met three times this season) and an 88.4 figure against everyone else.

The stats:
Durant versus B.C.: 46-for-80, 742 yards, three touchdown passes, seven interceptions, one victory, two losses.

Durant versus everyone else: 234-for-380, 2,928 yards, 17 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions, seven victories, four losses, one tie.

CHRIS JONES MAY PLAY

By Murray Mccormick,

Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver Chris Jones is ready for another chance.
Jones was granted an opportunity earlier in the CFL season when he was named a starting wide receiver after the Riders' training camp. Jones started one game and dressed for two others before being demoted to the practice roster in Week 5.

"I'm not quite sure why I wasn't playing," said Jones, who spent time with the first-team offence during Wednesday's practice at Mosaic Stadium. "I just felt that I was getting used to playing and I was getting better and better. But you know how the game goes, sometimes you're replaced and you have to be ready when your time comes."

That opportunity could take place Saturday when the Riders play host to the B.C. Lions (3:30 p.m.) at Mosaic Stadium. Gerran Walker, who has dressed for 11 games at wide receiver and started seven, is doubtful for Saturday's game with a sprained left ankle. If Walker doesn't play, Jones could get the nod as a starting wide receiver.

"It's not written in stone, so I will have to see what happens Saturday," said Jones. "It's part of being a professional so I have to be ready for whatever happens."

The Riders have been high on Jones since the native of Macon, Miss., joined the team in 2008. He was good enough to earn the start out of training but managed just 22 yards on four receptions in three games. In Week 4, Walker was promoted to the active roster. Jones was on the 46-man roster but has since been relegated to the practice roster.

"I've felt all along that Chris has some unique capabilities as a receiver and we didn't get that out of him early," said Riders head coach Ken Miller. "We had Gerran going and he has been pretty special. We feel that Chris has a lot of ability."

Being on the practice roster has been frustrating for Jones. He works out with the team leading up to the games then watches what takes place on the weekend from the sidelines.
"It's emotionally draining," said Jones. "You're almost scared to call home and tell your parents that you'll be playing. I knew that this could happen when I signed up for it and I understand that it's part of the business."
Jones could have some big shoes to fill if Walker doesn't play. Walker, who started slowly, has 34 receptions for 390 yards and two touchdowns.

"It has been a long time since I played so I'm just looking forward to having a chance," said Jones. "I just want to be there and do my job."

© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service

STADNYK AND BERQUIST HAVE PLAYED LULAY

By Ian Hamilton, Leader-PostOctober 22,

REGINA — Four seasons ago, Cole Bergquist played against Travis Lulay during the 2005 NCAA campaign.
This week, Bergquist has been playing Lulay to help the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defence.
“I have been (mimicking Lulay) a little bit,” Bergquist, one of Saskatchewan’s quarterbacking prospects, said Wednesday after the CFL team practised at Mosaic Stadium, “but I don’t know any of his secrets — nothing too valuable, anyway.”

Coming on in relief of an injured Buck Pierce, Lulay led the B.C. Lions to a 24-21 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday. The CFL rookie completed 13 of 24 pass attempts for 177 yards and a touchdown and rushed seven times for 92 yards in his first extended playing time of the season.

Depending on the state of his sore right (throwing) shoulder, Lulay may get the start Saturday when the Lions visit the Roughriders. If he can’t go, Casey Printers may be the Lions’ starter.

Lulay played four seasons (2002-05) with the Montana State University Bobcats, whom he led to a 3-1 record against the University of Montana Grizzlies during his collegiate career.

In 2005, Lulay completed 15 of 31 pass attempts for 171 yards and rushed eight times for 52 yards in the Bobcats’ 16-6 victory over Montana. On that Grizzlies team were Bergquist (who was 14-for-33 passing for 117 yards and rushed eight times for one yard) and defensive end Mike Stadnyk — who’s now a rookie with the Roughriders.

In ’04, Stadnyk and the Grizzlies prevailed 38-22, with Lulay completing 27 of 56 pass attempts for 386 yards and rushing for just one yard on 11 carries.

In preparation for a possible start by Lulay, Roughriders coaches and defensive players have been looking for tips from Stadnyk.

“They just asked me how he was in college,” said the Regina-born rookie. “He’s a really good quarterback.
“He’s a big guy, he can run around the pocket and he has a good arm. But if he’s out of the pocket, I think we’ll be all right with our defensive scheme. I like the way they’re proceeding with it.”

Lulay probably won’t like it. According to Stadnyk, the secret to handling the former Bobcats pivot is to . . .
“Give him a few shots early,” the former Grizzlies standout said. “The shots weren’t as big in college as they would be here. If they get a few good shots on him and make him feel a D-line presence, he’s going to give up.”

Stadnyk isn’t expected to play Saturday, but would he consider begging the coaches for a chance to renew acquaintances with Lulay?

“I wish I could play,” Stadnyk replied. “That’d be fun for sure. But I’m sure he’ll be in the CFL for a while.”
There will be a playoff atmosphere surrounding Saturday’s game — B.C. (8-7) is only one point behind the Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders (both 8-6-1) for first place in the West — but it won’t outdo the aura surrounding the annual Bobcats-Grizzlies clash.

“It’s a pretty big rivalry,” Bergquist said. “You’ve got the whole state involved. Most of the state’s people are either watching the game or at the game. It’ll make or break either team’s season.

“You can go 10-and-0 and lose your last game versus (the Bobcats) and it puts a nasty taste in your mouth right before the playoffs."

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com