By Mitchell Blair
For Riderville.com
The team that has appeared in three of the last four Grey Cups will not get an opportunity to make it four in five. For the first time since the 2001 season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will be on the outside looking in come playoff time following a 29-18 defeat at the hands of the B.C Lions in a game they had to win.
It was a battle of field-goal kickers through three quarters as the Riders led the contest 15-12, but it all fell apart in the 4th quarter as Lions quarterback Travis Lulay threw a pair of touchdown passes to drive the final nail into the Riders playoff coffin.
“It’s tough,” said a very dejected Head Coach Ken Miller. “I don’t have a lot of words for it right now. We played very hard for three quarters and then we had a couple of big plays happen against us. We had some untimely penalties and we didn’t move the ball the way we wanted in the 4th quarter. We played great for 45 minutes, but unfortunately a game lasts 60.”
Miller remains puzzled as to why this team has not played up to its capabilities and why this team has not played the type of football that they have become known for.
“For whatever reason, we aren’t playing with our characteristic effort,” surmised Miller.
“Talent isn’t the answer. Talent is even across the board. It has to do with effort, character, and discipline, all of those things. In past years, we have been able to turn it on in the 4th quarter and play well, but we just haven’t been able to do that and it happened again today.”
While the offense played better than what they have over the last three weeks scoring just a grand total of nine through those games, the team was once again unable to put the ball into the endzone. The touchdown drought has now hit 17 quarters and nearly 265 minutes. Quarterback Darian Durant, who threw for 281 yards, was once again unable to explain just why this team that has a lot of talent can’t score.
“Everything starts with me and I feel totally responsible for our miscues in the redzone,” Durant admitted. “It’s very frustrating to have slow starts, not capitalizing when you get inside the 20 and things like that. It’s very frustrating.”
Defensive back Chris McKenzie was one of many depressed Riders who had a tough time believing that reality had now set in and that the team’s fate had been sealed. He says the next three games won’t mean anything—win or lose—as far as playoffs go, but it won’t be a problem getting up for those games and to keep playing the best way he can.
“I’m getting up and I’ll be here tomorrow to do my job just like you will be.” McKenzie stated. “I know the guys in this room will play hard right down to the last snap. This team isn’t going to roll over. This team will do what it can to win the last three games.”
While Miller’s return to the sidelines at the midway point of the year did not produce the desired results, the 70 year old Head Coach is not swayed by what has gone on and what this means for his future.
“I love this place and I love coaching.” Miller said. “It consumes me at the same time so it’s something that will figure into the equation and what it means going forward.”
The team will have a short week as they are back in action Friday night to take on a Stampeders team that is still fighting for first in the West in Calgary.
