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
REGINA — Darian Durant produced an unforgettable Canada Day fireworks display.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback threw for 478 yards and five touchdowns in Thursday's 54-51 CFL overtime victory over the visiting Montreal Alouettes.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback threw for 478 yards and five touchdowns in Thursday's 54-51 CFL overtime victory over the visiting Montreal Alouettes.
In the process, Durant outgunned his opposite number — future Hall of Famer Anthony Calvillo — while rallying the Roughriders from a 32-11 third-quarter deficit.
So what can Durant do for an encore?
It seems like a tall order for Durant, or anyone, to top Thursday's command performance. But remember this: Some commentators were questioning how Durant could possibly improve on his showing of 2009.
Last season — Durant's first as a full-time starter — he earned West Division all-star honours en route to quarterbacking Saskatchewan to first place and a Grey Cup berth.
But that was only one year. Calvillo has been performing at an elite level for a decade. Since 2002, the Edmonton Eskimos' Ricky Ray has been among the CFL's premier passers. Henry Burris of the Calgary Stampeders is also in that echelon.
But that was only one year. Calvillo has been performing at an elite level for a decade. Since 2002, the Edmonton Eskimos' Ricky Ray has been among the CFL's premier passers. Henry Burris of the Calgary Stampeders is also in that echelon.
As for Durant, questions lingered. Could he cut down on his 21 interceptions of last season? Could he build upon last year's breakthrough? Or was he destined to remain a notch below peers who have been doing it for years?
Durant provided emphatic answers on Thursday, treating Roughriders fans to one of the most remarkable demonstrations of quarterbacking in the franchise's 100-year history.
This is a subjective assessment, of course, but Durant now belongs in a discussion that also includes the likes of Ron Lancaster and Kent Austin.
This is a subjective assessment, of course, but Durant now belongs in a discussion that also includes the likes of Ron Lancaster and Kent Austin.
Austin routinely exceeded 400 yards — eclipsing 500 on four occasions — during his peak years as the Roughriders' pivot. One fine evening in 1991, he threw a team-record six touchdown passes against the B.C. Lions.
Granted, two of Durant's five TD tosses were in overtime, but remember that he also rushed five times for 52 yards and one touchdown against the defending Grey Cup champions.
And, once again, he reminded a seasoned scribe of The Little General.
And, once again, he reminded a seasoned scribe of The Little General.
That sentiment first appeared in this space last year. "Too soon,'' several readers responded. Maybe they were right.
Now the comparison has more validity. Durant repeatedly rallied the Roughriders in 2009, but he ascended to another tier on Thursday.
With barely five minutes left in the third quarter, the Alouettes went ahead by 21 points after Tim Maypray returned a missed field goal 125 yards to paydirt. It was a 10-point swing and, assuredly, a fatal blow ... right?
So much for that angle.
I grew up watching Lancaster quarterback the Riders. Time after time, Mom said, "As long as there's time on the clock, Ronnie gives them a chance.''
Durant is instilling the same mindset in his teammates and the fans. If he isn't completing touchdown bombs or selling out for crucial first downs, he is escaping pressure and, somehow, hitting receivers to move the chains.
All of Durant's attributes were evident on Thursday, when he played an integral role in what he correctly labelled as "an instant classic.''
"Wow,'' Durant said afterwards. "That's the only way I can describe the game. It was an incredible game — an incredible fight by our team. We never gave up. We never quit. That's what we've been doing for the past couple of years and that's why we're a good team.''
Durant is the first to point out that it is a collaborative effort. Wes Cates, for example, rushed 13 times for 112 yards. Receivers Weston Dressler, Andy Fantuz, Prechae Rodriguez, Rob Bagg and Chris Getzlaf also contributed mightily to the season-opening victory.
Durant is the first to point out that it is a collaborative effort. Wes Cates, for example, rushed 13 times for 112 yards. Receivers Weston Dressler, Andy Fantuz, Prechae Rodriguez, Rob Bagg and Chris Getzlaf also contributed mightily to the season-opening victory.
"The plays they made out there aren't out of the ordinary for those guys,'' Durant said of the receivers. "I expect them to make those plays. They expect to make those plays themselves. I just try to put the ball out there and let them go get it.''
Durant makes it sound so simple, until you realize how difficult it has been for the Roughriders to find a quarterback of his calibre.
And, at 27, he is just getting started.
rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more:
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