REGINA — Darian Durant's CFL career has taken flight like a 747 — even though some time has been spent in the hangar.
Entering Saturday afternoon's appointment with the visiting Montreal Alouettes, the Saskatchewan Roughriders boast a 6-0 record in games started by Durant. He has leapfrogged Marcus Crandell and the immortal Joe (747) Adams while compiling the best-ever record for a quarterback after his first six starts with the Green and White.
Crandell guided the Roughriders to five consecutive victories in 2005 before experiencing his first loss. Until he arrived, Adams had the best record of any Saskatchewan pivot over starts one through six, posting a 4-1-1 slate.
Crandell guided the Roughriders to five consecutive victories in 2005 before experiencing his first loss. Until he arrived, Adams had the best record of any Saskatchewan pivot over starts one through six, posting a 4-1-1 slate.
Evidently, he peaked at that point.
Durant figures to enjoy a longer shelf life as the Riders' starter.
The 26-year-old North Carolina Tar Heels product isn't always as flashy as his spotless record. He is not imbued with a throwing arm that is reminiscent of Adams, Henry Burris or current teammate Steven Jyles. At 5-foot-11, the Riders' starting signal-caller is far from the prototype. And although he is mobile, there are faster, nimbler quarterbacks around.
But how many of them are unbeaten?
The 26-year-old North Carolina Tar Heels product isn't always as flashy as his spotless record. He is not imbued with a throwing arm that is reminiscent of Adams, Henry Burris or current teammate Steven Jyles. At 5-foot-11, the Riders' starting signal-caller is far from the prototype. And although he is mobile, there are faster, nimbler quarterbacks around.
But how many of them are unbeaten?
Oddly enough, the elite passers in team history weren't even close to 6-0.
Ron Lancaster, Glenn Dobbs, Frank Tripucka and Kerry Joseph all started off at 3-3 — as did Nealon Greene, Reggie Slack and Warren Jones. Tom Burgess, Kent Austin and Joe Barnes were 2-4. Other notable names include John Hufnagel (1-5), Joe Paopao (1-4-1), Burris (0-5-1) and
Ron Lancaster, Glenn Dobbs, Frank Tripucka and Kerry Joseph all started off at 3-3 — as did Nealon Greene, Reggie Slack and Warren Jones. Tom Burgess, Kent Austin and Joe Barnes were 2-4. Other notable names include John Hufnagel (1-5), Joe Paopao (1-4-1), Burris (0-5-1) and
Tom Clements (0-6), all of whom played on poor teams.
(Apologies to admirers of Don Allard and Danny Sanders for the omissions.)
(Apologies to admirers of Don Allard and Danny Sanders for the omissions.)
In case you are curious, here is how Durant's 6-0 record breaks down:
July 12, 2008: Durant completes 23 of 32 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns as the Roughriders rally to defeat the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-28. He guided Saskatchewan on a five-play, 82-yard drive, culminating in a one-yard, game-winning touchdown run by Wes Cates with 32 seconds remaining.
July 12, 2008: Durant completes 23 of 32 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns as the Roughriders rally to defeat the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-28. He guided Saskatchewan on a five-play, 82-yard drive, culminating in a one-yard, game-winning touchdown run by Wes Cates with 32 seconds remaining.
July 19, 2008: The Roughriders defeat the visiting Alouettes 41-33 as Durant goes 24-for-34 for 349 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions. He also runs for 52 yards and one TD.
July 27, 2008: Durant suffers cracked ribs on the Roughriders' second offensive series, after going 3-for-5 for 29 yards. Jyles comes off the bench and completes 14 of 18 passes for 201 yards, including a touchdown toss to Andy Fantuz, as the Roughriders defeat the visiting Toronto Argonauts 28-22.
Oct. 19, 2008: Head coach Ken Miller pulls Durant after he serves up a third interception with 5:52 left in the third quarter against the visiting Tiger-Cats. Durant had also been intercepted on the previous possession. With Saskatchewan trailing 11-8, Jyles enters the game and guides his team to a 30-29 victory.
July 3, 2009: Miller resists any temptation to again remove Durant after he again throws interceptions on back-to-back possessions. Durant remains in the regular-season opener against the visiting B.C. Lions and helps Saskatchewan win 28-24. The numbers: 18-for-24, 313 yards, no TD passes, three picks. He also rushes six times for 35 yards, with a TD.
July 11, 2009: Three first-half touchdown passes by Durant help Saskatchewan assume a 37-13 lead over the host Argonauts, who eventually succumb 46-36. Durant goes 18-for-27, with three touchdowns and one interception.
Some may quibble with the 6-0 slate, noting that Durant has not finished two of the games, and that Saskatchewan was actually trailing when Jyles entered the game against Hamilton.
But if you are going to penalize Durant for that, then he should be credited for his efforts of July 4, 2008. After Crandell was hurt and Jyles faltered in Vancouver, Durant took over to begin the third quarter — with Saskatchewan behind 14-10. Durant ended up getting the win out of the bullpen as the Riders prevailed 26-16, but that game is not factored into the aforementioned 6-0 mark.
But if you are going to penalize Durant for that, then he should be credited for his efforts of July 4, 2008. After Crandell was hurt and Jyles faltered in Vancouver, Durant took over to begin the third quarter — with Saskatchewan behind 14-10. Durant ended up getting the win out of the bullpen as the Riders prevailed 26-16, but that game is not factored into the aforementioned 6-0 mark.
This would be a bigger deal, of course, if the six victories had been compiled in as many weeks. The effect is somewhat diluted when it takes more than a year to compile a 6-0 record.
In considerably less time, Doug Flutie started off at 2-4. Just a thought.
rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com
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