Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant gets ready to throw a pass against the Montreal Alouettes during CFL action in Regina on July 1, 2010.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files
REGINA — There is more to the chemistry between quarterback Darian Durant and slotback Andy Fantuz than an obvious on-field connection.
The veteran Saskatchewan Roughriders are also best friends away from the turf at Mosaic Stadium. That means when the two aren't playing CFL games, they can be found playing other games during their off-time.
"We play Monopoly, X-Box, board games ... we do it all,'' Durant said after Tuesday's practice at Mosaic Stadium. "Along with those board games comes competitiveness and we always mix in a little football talk along the way. We're only here for a couple of hours a day, so there is only so much you can do in those hours. When you can talk football at home at 7, 8 or 9 o'clock at night, it always helps.''
The results of those chats and board games were recognized Tuesday when the CFL announced its Gibson's Finest player-of-the-week awards. Durant was unanimously named the offensive player-of-the-week after guiding the Riders back from a 33-12 third-quarter deficit to a 54-51 double-overtime win over the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday. Fantuz was named the Canadian player-of-the-week after hauling in two touchdown passes in the Canada Day shootout. Wide receiver Rob Bagg was also a runner-up for the Canadian award.
It seems natural that Durant and Fantuz would become friends. They both joined the Riders in 2006 and shared in the 2007 Grey Cup win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Durant has grown into his role as the team leader and starting quarterback. Fantuz has been an offensive star since signing with the Riders after winning the Hec Crighton Award winner with the Western Ontario Mustangs in 2005 as the top player in the CIS.
The two clicked in 2009, which was Durant's first season as a starter. Fantuz had 67 receptions for 882 yards and four touchdowns despite missing five games with a torn hamstring. Durant threw for 4,348 yards and completed 24 touchdown passes.
It doesn't look like they have lost a step this year, especially in Thursday's regular-season opener. Fantuz had eight receptions for 77 yards and scored a touchdown that eventually sent the contest into overtime. Fantuz then scored on the Riders' first possession of overtime on a 10-yard pass from Durant.
"He seems to know my body language when I'm running routes,'' said Fantuz. "He always has a knack of putting the proper touch on the ball. We have that confidence in each other that we know when and where the ball will be coming. It seems to be getting better each week.''
Fantuz added that the time the two are together away from the field helps establish those ties.
"He doesn't feel there is a hierarchy on the field,'' said Fantuz. "We have an open communication in meetings and with the receivers and quarterbacks on the field. That helps in communication if you have guys in the locker room who aren't afraid to ask questions.''
"He doesn't feel there is a hierarchy on the field,'' said Fantuz. "We have an open communication in meetings and with the receivers and quarterbacks on the field. That helps in communication if you have guys in the locker room who aren't afraid to ask questions.''
Bob Dyce, the Riders' receivers coach and passing game co-ordinator, has seen just how much effort all of the receivers and Durant put into preparing for games and practices.
"They are in here early in the morning and late at night,'' said Dyce, who is in his first season with the Riders. "They are all in there watching film and talking about what they would expect here and if that happened. The extra work they have done is really paying off.''
It did for Durant on Thursday. He was 30 of 44 for 478 yards with five passing touchdowns and rushed for another major. He also accomplished that without throwing an interception and recording a pass efficiency rating of 140.4.
"That's unheard of for me to have that kind of rating,'' said Durant, who garnered his first player-of-the-week award after his career-best outing. "It can only get better.''
Fantuz didn't even mention Durant's statistics when asked what impressed him most about his quarterback's performance Thursday.
Fantuz didn't even mention Durant's statistics when asked what impressed him most about his quarterback's performance Thursday.
"It was his leadership and bringing the team together even though things weren't looking so good,'' said Fantuz. "He stayed positive and kept us focused. He kept being our leader and told us to take it one play at a time. It did come true and it was a snowball effect.''
The Riders are now looking to build on Thursday's win. They are travel to Vancouver on Friday for Saturday's game against the B.C. Lions, who are also 1-0.
"We're trying to go 2-and-0,'' said Fantuz. "The stats are the stats but as long as you get the W, that's all that matters. We're trying to do what it takes to win.''
Winnipeg linebacker Joe Lobendahn, who had two sacks and eight tackles, was the defensive player-of-the-week. Hamilton Tiger-Cats returner Marcus Thigpen — whom the Riders released after training camp — was the special teams POW after returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown and a missed field goal for another TD in a 49-29 loss to the Blue Bombers.
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