RIDERS ROOKIEs ADAPTING TO THE SPEED OF THE GAME

The Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Cole Bergquist throws a pass in the second half against the B.C. Lions in a preseason game on Sunday, June 13, 2010 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Sask.

Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post

REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Brandon Foster came away from his CFL debut largely unscathed — except for a minor case of whiplash.

The same went for a number of Saskatchewan Roughriders rookies following Sunday's pre-season opener at Mosaic Stadium — a 19-17 loss to the B.C. Lions. Foster chuckled as he recalled how his head was spinning early in the contest while players darted around him at break-neck speeds.

"They were like this ... (whipping his head side to side) ... going across my face," Foster said in front of his stall in the Riders' dressing room. "It's definitely a big difference (from the U.S. college game), starting from just the field being bigger and the motion. It was a fast pace and it doesn't slow down. My adrenaline was pumping so fast. When I got my jitters out in the second quarter, it kind of slowed down. It was definitely an experience, put it that way. It was a great time out there."

Rookie linebacker Byron Bullock agreed, noting that it's easier said than done to get up to speed on the Canadian game.

"It's way faster than American football," he offered. "The vets were telling me (beforehand) that the game is totally different and they're right. I thought I was prepared but it's my first pro game. That first quarter was a little tough. The jitters were coming out in the beginning but once you get that first hit you're good to go. It's still football."

Bullock tied for the team lead with four defensive tackles and one pass knockdown. He earned praise from head coach Ken Miller, who suggested the youngster could be "around here for a while."

Miller was also encouraged by the play of defensive end Shomari Williams, the first overall pick in the 2010 Canadian college draft. Williams was less enthused about his own performance, which included one defensive tackle.

"It just opened my eyes to what I have to get better at and what I'm going to have to do to be able to contribute to this team," he said. "I wasn't 100 per cent on everything but I was OK. The mistakes I did make are correctable. I know they drafted me to be a pass rusher so I definitely have to be more consistent on my pass rush to contribute on defence.
"It's the first (game). I got it out of the way. I'm not making any excuses. Just build from it, learn from it and try to get better."

Those sentiments were echoed by third-string quarterback Cole Bergquist, who joined the team early last year but didn't get into a game — pre-season or otherwise. Sunday's contest was his long-awaited debut.

"I'm just stoked to be out here and get a chance to play and show my teammates and my coaches what I can do," he said after completing seven of nine passes for 102 yards, with on touchdowns and no interceptions. "It was the first time in about a year and a half I woke up with butterflies. That was a good feeling to remember."

Like his fellow rookies, Bergquist's first game was a learning experience.

"I haven't played in a CFL game before; this was my first one," he added. "It just goes to show that you can never really emulate a game-type scenario in practice. I learned that the hard way with the first play. I went out there and got the delay of game (penalty). That never makes the coaches happy but I learned a lot and I'm glad I got an opportunity to get out there. There's a lot of obstacles but hopefully I can watch the film and learn from them."

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