REGINA – The Saskatchewan Roughriders saved the best for last by scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter on the road to a 30-13 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday at Mosaic Stadium.
Since 2017, the Riders have been 29-0 in regular season CFL games when they lead after three quarters. They led 12-6 in the fourth quarter and raised the score to 15-6 three minutes after the stanza in Brett Lauther’s fifth field goal in the first game of the season for both teams.
Hamilton made things interesting in his next possession when Dane Evans connected with Steven Dunbar on a 71-yard touchdown pass to close the gap to 15-13. But the Riders responded with a couple of touchdowns as Cody Farjardo hit Kian Shaffer-Baker on a 20-yard play and then went on a one-yard touchdown run to the next possession.
Fajardo, who finished the game 22 of 32 passes for 311 yards and a touchdown, was delighted that the Riders’ attack found additional gear in the fourth quarter.
“The first half was not how we wanted to start, but the truth is that we thought it was good because, if we look at our team last year, we always started fast and then we slowed down towards the second half. I thought it was good tonight to finish, “Fajardo said.
“That was one of our big offensive conversations and ‘finished’ was the word of the year for us. Getting back full circle for our first game really shows the guys what it means a lot.”
Chief Coach Craig Dickenson agreed with Fajardo’s assessment.
“The first half wasn’t as good as you’d like, but that fourth quarter was something else,” Dickenson said.
After Dunbar’s touchdown, the Riders responded with their best momentum in the game, making 85 yards in seven plays. They completed the game with a Shaffer-Baker touchdown, but the most important play of the game was a third and one play in the middle of the field with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Riders, who had turned the ball down twice before, kept the ball alive in a two-yard run by Jamal Morrow.
In Hamilton’s first offensive play after the Riders’ touchdown, Evans was intercepted by Derrick Moncrief who returned the ball 39 yards to a Hamilton yard line. Fajardo scored with a quarterback on the next play and then hit Duke Williams in a two-point conversion attempt to increase the score to 30-13.
While the Saskatchewan attack took a while to find its way, the defense hit the ground running with eight sacks and two interceptions. Pete Robertson had two sacks for the Riders with Charleston Hughes, AC Leonard, Charbel Dabire, Mike Edem, Larry Dean and Rolan Milligan also recording. Moncrief and Nick Marshall had interceptions for the Riders.
Robertson was not surprised to have nine different players involved in the 10 takeaway dishes.
“It’s going to prove that everyone came to play,” said Robertson, who also regained balance. “It simply came to our notice then. The collaborators were excellent and the defensive sides allowed us time to hurry the pin for coverage. They helped us get to the safe quarterback. “
Dean was playing his first game in two years after the 2020 CFL season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an Achilles injury suffered before the training camp ended. season 2021. He was asked if Friday’s effort could be improved.
“Yes, sir,” Dean said. “We didn’t play a perfect game.”
Lauther was a perfect five-of-five in field goal attempts, hitting from 13, 48, 30, 39 and 41 yards.
“It was amazing. Since I got here in 2019, he’s a guy we can count on,” Fajardo said. “I know once we cross the center field line you don’t want to go wrong because we can make three points when you have a great kicker like Brett.”
Both attacks had problems in the first half. The Tiger-Cats had four first downs and 96 total net yards, while the Riders had three first downs and 94 total net yards.
Papi White had the biggest win of the half for the Tiger-Cats, with a 26-yard reception from Evans in the second quarter. Saskatchewan’s longest half-time gain came when Morrow received a shovel pass from Fajardo and ran 30 yards down the sideline.
Two minutes into the second half, Hamilton referee Simoni Lawrence coached Fajardo, who was being taken to the pitch by Malik Carney. Lawrence hit Fajardo in the back and head and was penalized for a hard play. Although Fajardo was injured when the game became more physical, he had to leave the field.
When asked about the impact, Fajardo responded with a quick response.
“No comments. I mean, it’s been like this all the time I’ve been in this league,” Fajardo said.
Shaq Evans finished as Saskatchewan’s best catcher with four catches for 92 yards, while Williams made five passes for 58 yards.
Evans completed 18 of 22 passes for 222 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Dunbar had two receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown, while Bralon Addison caught eight passes for 72 yards.
Domagala was good in two of the three field goal attempts, hitting from 52 and 25 yards while failing from 46 yards when his shot hit the left right.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 11, 2022