Pressure defence on Ticats pays dividends
So that’s what a Chris Jones pressure defence looks like.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ head coach, general manager and defensive co-ordinator rushed four or more players on numerous occasions during Saturday’s 37-20 CFL win over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The Tiger-Cats wilted under the pressure as the Riders improved 1-2 heading into a bye week.
“Coach Jones knows that if we get the four- or five-man rush going, there aren’t a lot of offensive linemen in the league that can hang with us,’’ Riders defensive end Willie Jefferson said. “We knew there were going to be a lot of one-on-ones that allowed us to get in the face of (quarterback) Zach Collaros.’’
Saturday’s defensive pressure was in contrast to some of the fronts Jones has used in previous games. The Riders didn’t have any sacks or quarterback pressures during a season-opening, 17-16 loss to the Montreal Alouettes on June 22.
On July 1, the Riders routinely rushed three defenders in a 43-40 double overtime loss to the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Riders recorded four sacks, but were limited to four quarterback pressures.
On Saturday, the defensive line had 11 quarterback pressures, plus a sack by Jefferson. He and fellow defensive end A.C. Leonard each had three quarterback pressures.
The push from the defensive line contributed to the Riders limiting Collaros to 19 completions in 34 attempts for 189 yards and one touchdown.
“Everybody we send allows Zach to single up on receivers and I didn’t know if they were good enough to go the length of the field on us consistently,’’ Jones said. “We then got on our front to get after the quarterback.’’
The pressure also helped out the defensive backfield, which had three breakdowns against the Blue Bombers that led to touchdowns. On Saturday, the secondary was significantly better while allowing just one Hamilton touchdown, a reception by Junior Collins late in the third quarter.
“(Saturday’s game) gives us a lot more confidence,’’ defensive halfback Ed Gainey said. “We’re starting to believe in each other and everyone is starting to communicate that much more. Going into the bye, this is exactly what we needed as a defensive back group.’’
Collins’ touchdown, followed by Sergio Castillo’s convert, narrowed the Riders’ lead to 27-20. The defence stiffened and did not allow Hamilton to score again.
“That was very important for us,’’ Gainey said. “Coming out of halftime, we told ourselves that we had been in this position before and we were focused on finishing this. We had a little discussion on the sideline, then we let it go and moved on. The offence did a good job of doing their job.’’
Placekicker Tyler Crapigna did his job after a key missed field goal in each of the previous two games. On Saturday, Crapigna booted field goals of 45 yards and 32 yards and connected on all four converts, from 32 yards away.