Craig Dickenson, invariably modest, omitted one person when asked who had received game balls following Sunday’s 34-29 victory over the B.C. Lions.
While meeting with reporters, the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Head Coach noted that pigskins had been presented to linebacker Larry Dean (who was a force in his 100th career CFL game), receiver Samuel Emilus (five catches for 106 yards and one touchdown) and defensive back Kosi Onyeka (four special teams tackles).
What Dickenson didn’t say was that he, too, had received a game ball.
“I want to give one more, OK?” General Manager and Vice-President of Football Operations Jeremy O’Day told the team in the Roughriders’ dressing room after Dickenson had distributed his game balls.
“This one’s for someone who’s in the building early and does more (things) for you guys than you guys even know. He’s working his (butt) off.
“There’s stuff that you don’t see him doing. He’s in here all the time and he’s wearing it and he wants the best for you guys.
“Let’s give it to our Head Coach, Coach Dickenson.”
Dickenson proceeded to accept a handoff from O’Day, perform a few gyrations and, for good measure, spin the ball on the locker-room floor.
The players clearly responded to a head-spinning pre-game speech that had been delivered by Dickenson. His marching orders …
- “Offensive line, take control of the game. Own ’em tonight. WWE!”
- “Defence, hit them harder than they’ve ever been hit before.”
- “Special teams, get to the football. Refuse to stay blocked. Populate. Rip that (football) out.”
Dickenson punctuated his spirited address as follows: “We’ve had nine days’ rest. We’re stronger than we’ve ever been.”
And it showed.
“All that helped — the time off, the extra preparation, Coach coming in and showing a little bit more emotion,” defensive back Jeremy Clark said.
“That got the guys fired up, so I think all of that played a role in it.”
So did an impressive showing by Clark, who registered an interception and two pass knockdowns.
The pick was the first for Clark since Sept. 23, 2021, when he celebrated his CFL debut with a 69-yard interception return that set up a touchdown in a 20-17 victory over the host Calgary Stampeders.
Clark also put the Roughriders in position for points — a 53-yard Brett Lauther field goal — on Sunday by picking off Vernon Adams Jr.
“It was a long time coming,” Clark said. “Interceptions are hard to come by and it felt good to bring one in.”
The best feeling, however, was produced by a victory that evened Saskatchewan’s record at 5-5 and followed a run of four losses in five games.
“I think that everybody in here kind of knew that this was a season-changing game,” Clark said. “Everybody kept saying that.
“When we were breaking it down, we were saying, ‘This game is important to get us all turned around.’
“I feel like this game did that for us. It got us some confidence going and everybody feels good. It’s always good to go into a bye week off a win.”
The Roughriders are to return to action on Sept. 3 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
