Derek Mortensen/Electric Umbrella
On a night that the Saskatchewan Roughriders honoured the legendary 1966 Grey Cup team, hopes were high that the Riders (0-2) would pick up their first win of the season against the B.C. Lions (2-1).
The 1st quarter showed the Lions were set on quieting a rowdy crowd by staking themselves out to a 7-3 lead on a Jonathan Jennings touchdown run that started out as a Rider stop of an Anthony Allen run, but the former Green and White running back keenly pitched it back to Jennings who had a clear route to the end zone.
The second quarter began with Darian Durant taking the Riders downfield on a 78-yard drive finished with a 31-yard completion to Rob Bagg and the 10-7 lead. There was a price to pay on the drive, a play before the touchdown, Durant was cut down by Mic’hael Brooks, and was done for the game at that point on.
Mitchell Gale, acquired two weeks ago in the trade that sent Shawn Lemon to Toronto finished the game and looked good to complete the first half. He had a touchdown pass to Nic Demski and led the Riders on a late drive for a Tyler Crapigna field goal for the 23-10 halftime lead.
The Rider offence stalled in the second half and the Lions took advantage of it with a punt single and an eight-yard touchdown pass from Jennings to offensive tackle Jovan Olafioye but the Riders still held on to the slim 23-19 lead after three quarters.
The fourth quarter was all B.C. with touchdowns by Nick Moore (30-yard reception), Shawn Gore (59-yard reception), and Anthony Allen (seven yard run), while the Riders could only manage a field goal and single for the 40-27 loss.
The loss was difficult enough to absorb, but also losing Darian Durant, Brendon LaBatte, Justin Cox, Shamawd Chambers and John Chiles all to injury made this a very difficult night for Head Coach Chris Jones and the rest of the Riders staff.
The will have to regroup quickly. Just five days from now, the Riders will host the undefeated Ottawa REDBLACKS Friday night at Mosaic Stadium. It will be a 7pm kick-off, get your tickets by heading to Riderville.com
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
B.C. Lions 7 3 9 21 40
Saskatchewan Roughriders 3 20 0 4 27
Rider Leaders
Passing:
Mitchell Gale 17/30, 247 Yds., 1 TD
Rushing:
Mitchell Gale 3/15
Receiving:
Naaman Roosevelt 8/132
