Block party: Roughriders celebrate robust, resilient performance by offensive line

Chalk one up for the Logans. 

Logan Ferland and Logan Bandy — two members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive line — were integral contributors to Saturday’s 29-26 CFL overtime victory over the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium. 

The Melfort-born Ferland, conventionally the Roughriders’ right guard, moved to left tackle after Jerald Hawkins left the game due to injury early in the second quarter. 

Logan Bandy, a former University of Calgary Dinos standout who was playing in his hometown on Saturday night, filled Ferland’s guard spot in admirable fashion for the remainder of the down-to-the-wire game. 

“Hawkins gets hurt early and it forces us to play with different guys in different spots,” Head Coach Craig Dickenson said after the Roughriders’ record improved to 2-1. “I thought they found a way to just keep plugging along. 

“I think they’ve got an outstanding coach in Anthony Vitale. He just gets them in the right mindset: ‘Next man up and let’s do what we do, no matter who’s out there.’ 

“I was pleased with the O-line. I’m sure, looking at film, there will be some corrections … but they just found a way to stay locked in and did a good job. 

“I’m proud of a lot of groups, the O-line certainly being one of them.” 

Saskatchewan surrendered three sacks — all of which came during the first half, after which Calgary led 6-3. 

In the second half, Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris registered 206 passing yards to finish with 275 on the night. Saskatchewan also scored all three of its touchdowns over the final 30 minutes. 

Even when the offence was struggling to produce points earlier in the game, Jamal Morrow was a bright spot. The Roughriders’ tailback had 87 rushing yards at the intermission en route to finishing with a career-high 133. 

“I told him before the game, ‘We’re going to run the ball, heck or high water. You’re going to get yourself 100 yards today. I can feel it,’ ” Harris said. 

“He was really able to get those tough yards and, a lot of times, he made the yards when they weren’t there. 

“That’s the mark of the elite backs — the ones who, when there’s no hole there, are able to generate their own run a few times. 

“He’s one of the elite ones and we’re really lucky to have him.” 

Not to mention Bandy and Ferland. 

Until Saturday’s second quarter, Ferland had not played tackle since 2019 when, as a member of the Regina Thunder, he was named the Prairie Football Conference’s top offensive lineman. 

“It’s like it always is, right?” Ferland said. “Adversity. Especially for the O-line, it has always been adversity. 

“It doesn’t matter who’s in there or what position they’re in. We have to fill in like nothing happened and we feel like we did a decent job of that tonight.” 

Considerable credit must go to Bandy, a second-year CFLer who began Saturday’s game as the Roughriders’ sixth offensive lineman.  

“He did a great job of filling in when we needed him, and nothing changed,” Ferland said. 

“It just goes to show the value that he provides on this O-line.” 

The line is anchored by centre Peter Godber, who had been listed as a game-time decision after encountering illness earlier in the week. He was able to answer the bell on Saturday. 

Ferland and Evan Johnson lined up as the starting guards, as they have over the first three games of the 2023 season, before the injury to Hawkins prompted some shuffling. 

Hawkins and right tackle Colin Kelly were both making their first appearances in green and white. 

Kelly, a CFLer since 2014, signed with the Roughriders on June 4 and made his regular-season debut with his new team after serving a two-game suspension. 

Hawkins had missed the first two games while dealing with a family situation back home in Louisiana. With Kelly and Hawkins unavailable for the first two games, Brandon Council and Eric Lofton had been the starting tackles. 

Asked about Hawkins’ injury, Dickenson said: “We’ll know more (on Sunday), but we’re concerned about it.” 

Leading up to the game in Calgary, two Roughriders offensive linemen had already suffered significant injuries — Philip Blake (torn pectoral muscle) and Jordan Tucker (knee). Tucker was injured early in training camp. Blake was hurt in the pre-season finale.