By Rob Vanstone, Leader-Post August 13, 2010
REGINA — Nobody will put footage of Thursday's CFL game to music — unless it is, say, a Lee Harvey Osmond medley.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders' 37-13 victory over the B.C. Lions was not the result of a breathtaking offensive display, despite the victorious team's point total.
Much of the Roughriders' offence resulted from incremental marches down the Taylor Field turf. Fireworks were kept to a minimum — an exception being Darian Durant's back-to-back passes to Chris Getzlaf for 35 and 30 yards, the latter producing a game-clinching touchdown at 5:36 of the fourth quarter.
Aside from the rapid-fire hookups with Getzlaf, the Roughriders opted for an approach that was barely reminiscent of their modus operandi of one week ago. Last Friday, Durant completed 35 of 62 passes for 445 yards in a 30-26 loss to the host Montreal Alouettes.
On Thursday, by contrast, the Roughriders achieved much of their success by picking away at the Lions. Durant threw for an unusually modest 223 yards — registering a mere 70 by halftime — but, once again, stats were deceiving.
On Thursday, by contrast, the Roughriders achieved much of their success by picking away at the Lions. Durant threw for an unusually modest 223 yards — registering a mere 70 by halftime — but, once again, stats were deceiving.
In Montreal, the Roughriders managed to lose even though Durant's numbers dwarfed those of Alouettes pivot Anthony Calvillo, a future Hall of Famer. Unimaginably, the losing team had 33 first downs, to compared to 12 for Montreal.
Durant put forth a courageous performance in a losing cause, consistently moving the chains while impeded by a bruised right thumb and a lingering intestinal infection. The day before the B.C. game, Durant declared that he was close to 100 per cent, health-wise.
Immediately, the mind began dancing. If an ailing Durant could pass for 445 yards against the defending Grey Cup champions, what kind of numbers would he rack up versus a Lions team that entered the anticipated debacle with a five-game losing streak?
As it turned out, Durant registered barely half as many passing yards as he did in Montreal. He threw one touchdown pass, as opposed to two interceptions. But, as was the case six days earlier, the raw data was deceiving.
Roughriders head coach Ken Miller said during Wednesday's pre-game yak session with the media that he wants Durant — who has characterized himself as a gunslinger — to be more of a surgeon.
For the most part, Miller got his wish on Thursday. Durant steadily and surgically moved the ball down the field, often employing tailback Wes Cates (13 carries, 61 yards) when tough yards were required. Durant's own running ability was evident as he carried the ball nine times for a team-high 67 yards, including two touchdowns. Cates also rushed for two majors, giving him eight touchdowns at the one-third mark of the season.
Although Cates is enjoying a terrific bounce-back season, the Roughrider who carries the nickname "Bounce Back'' — namely Durant — is the engine that drives this team. He is its conscience. The overall success of the team supersedes any individual pursuits or accolades.
Ask him about stats and he will refer you to the win column. The Roughriders emerged from Thursday's game with a 5-2-0 record, including an unblemished slate in four sold-out home games this season. His overall regular-season record as a starter, dating back to 2008, is 19-9-1.
Ask him about stats and he will refer you to the win column. The Roughriders emerged from Thursday's game with a 5-2-0 record, including an unblemished slate in four sold-out home games this season. His overall regular-season record as a starter, dating back to 2008, is 19-9-1.
But as Durant keeps emphasizing, there is so much more to the team than its quarterback. He is blessed with an array of complementary weapons, any of whom can singe the opposition. On an evening when slippery slotback Weston Dressler somehow goes without a reception, Rob Bagg demonstrates his own elusiveness while catching seven passes for 81 yards.
It was the Roughriders' defence, though, that set the tone. Lance Frazier's interception early in the first quarter set up a three-yard run by Cates. Jerrell Freeman practically resided in the Lions' offensive backfield, sacking quarterback Jarious Jackson three times.
Anytime the Lions appeared to have a sniff, the Roughriders would make a timely defensive play — after which Durant would inevitably march his team into scoring territory. Also consider the fact that Saskatchewan's special teams were not a liability, for once. Add it all up and you have a lopsided victory.
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