Season turns around as Riders believe in selves
Players credit head coach for bringing team together, understanding chemistry
The Saskatchewan Roughriders believe in quarterback Cody Fajardo.
Members of the CFL team also believe in receiver Shaq Evans, defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy, defensive end Charleston Hughes and a host of other players who contributed to Thursday’s thrilling 2419 come-from-behind win over the Hamilton Tiger-cats before 29,516 spectators at Mosaic Stadium.
Most of all, the Riders believe in themselves, which accounts for a three-game winning streak and a 4-3 record. The Tiger-cats fell to 5-2.
“There are a lot of guys on this team with chips on their shoulders,” said middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian, 32, who was released by the B.C. Lions shortly before training camp.
“You have guys who were told they were too old or too washed up or they were troublemakers. You have a coach (Craig Dickenson) who has done a good job of bringing guys together with the understanding that chemistry is important. We believe in each other and that’s when special things can happen.”
There have been times when that belief was tested.
For example, the Riders lost starting quarterback Zach Collaros in the regular-season opener against Hamilton when he suffered a concussion due to an illegal hit to the head. That left the unproven Fajardo as the starting quarterback, with Collaros on the sixgame injured list.
While overcoming a 1-3 start, the team has adapted with Fajardo at the controls of the offence. The proof came Thursday as the 27-year-old quarterback scored the game-winning touchdown on a five-yard run with 24 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
“It has been a long time since I’ve played in a game like that where it comes right down to the last play,” Fajardo said. “Our defence kept us in that and our special teams as well.”
Fajardo’s touchdown scamper came just one day after the Riders traded Collaros to the Toronto Argonauts for a conditional pick in the 2020 CFL draft. The transaction cleared up any uncertainty about the Riders’ quarterbacking situation.
“Cody put the team on his back (Thursday),” said Riders receiver Naaman Roosevelt. “He ran the ball, he threw the ball, and he did everything for us.”
The stage was set for the Riders’ comeback after the Tiger-cats went ahead 19-13 on Lirim Hajrullahu’s 29-yard field goal at 7:22 of the fourth quarter. Gabe Ferraro’s 31-yarder at 12:13 reduced Hamilton’s lead to 19-16.
After a defensive stop and a 38yard punt return by Kyran Moore, the Riders took over on Hamilton’s 42-yard line with 2:05 left.
The Riders began that possession with a 23-yard pass from Fajardo to Evans.
Three plays later, Fajardo dove for the pylon and the Riders had a 22-19 lead. Ferraro’s convert and his single on the ensuing kickoff accounted for the remainder of the scoring.
Saskatchewan put together another defensive stand to cap off a hard-earned victory over the Tiger-cats.
The result was the Riders’ first victory over a team with a winning record this season. Saskatchewan’s other three wins came against the B.C. Lions (twice) and Toronto Argonauts, both of whom are 1-6.
“Wins like this are where you really get the true belief that we are a good team,” said offensive tackle Thaddeus Coleman. “That’s why we’re headed in the right direction.”
Leading the way is Fajardo, a fourth-year CFLER who was a career backup and short-yardage quarterback before getting his chance to be a starter with the Riders.
He proved Thursday that the Riders’ confidence is well-founded by completing 25 of 31 passes for 313 yards without any touchdowns or interceptions. He also rushed for a game-high 56 yards on nine carries.
Fajardo scored the game-winning touchdown despite injuring his right ankle while being sacked in the third quarter.
“Cody understands that this is his team now and he’s the leader of our offence and ball club,” said Roosevelt. “He’s humble and you can talk to him. He’s doing everything he can to be that great quarterback.”
Fajardo was particularly effective in collaboration with Evans, who led all receivers with seven receptions for 160 yards.
Hughes also stood out for the Riders, recording two sacks and a forced fumble. The 35-year-old defensive end leads the CFL with 10 sacks.