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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
"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.''
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