ROUGHRIDERS IN A TOUGH SPOT IF GLENN DOESN’T RETURN SOON
There was plenty of banjo-picking at the expense of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ first and second strings.
Kevin Glenn was twice picked off by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday before leaving the Banjo Bowl with an injured right hand during the third quarter.
Glenn was replaced by Brandon Bridge, who served up an interception of his own as Winnipeg waltzed to a 48-28 CFL victory at Investors Group Field.
Bridge ran for a 10-yard touchdown and demonstrated his arm strength but, make no mistake, the Roughriders’ playoff hopes depend on whether Glenn can quickly return to the lineup.
Consider the quarterbacking landscape in the ultracompetitive West Division. When the rival teams’ quarterbacks are Matt Nichols (Winnipeg), Bo Levi Mitchell (Calgary Stampeders), Mike Reilly (Edmonton Eskimos) and Jonathon Jennings (B.C. Lions), a healthy starter is a must.
Glenn did not have his best game on Saturday, but he still threw touchdown passes to Duron Carter (88 yards) and Naaman Roosevelt (75).
After 10 games, Glenn has 21 touchdown passes — five more than Saskatchewan produced all of last season.
Overall, the Roughriders have taken several strides toward making amends for back-to-back dismal seasons. The Roughriders’ 5-5 record, which could be described as mediocre under some circumstances, is applaudable when you consider the depths to which the team had descended.
Saskatchewan had outscored the opposition 133-63 during a three-game winning streak before Saturday’s all-around shaky showing.
The interceptions have already been referenced.
Mo Leggett was a Mo-mentum changer, scoring on a pick-six and a punt return.
On the latter play, members of the Roughriders’ punt-coverage team were seemingly asleep — much like the runaway Manitoba moose that was tranquilized before the game.
Were the officials also unconscious?
Shortly before halftime, Roughriders cornerback Kacy Rodgers II was flagged for (yes, you are reading this correctly) accidental pass interference in the end zone. Rodgers was apparently penalized for committing the act of attempting to cover someone.
Although some other calls were forehead-slappers, officiating was not the reason why Saskatchewan struggled.
The offence was erratic with and without Glenn.
Subtract the two big plays and Winnipeg held Carter and Roosevelt to four catches for 35 yards.
After forcing a series of turnovers during the three-game uprising, the Roughriders registered nary an interception on Saturday.
They did force and recover a fumble in the fourth quarter, but were trailing by 20 points at the time.
The Roughriders’ defence, which had been performing robustly, returned to early-season form. Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols, who threw three touchdown passes, was rarely bothered in the pocket.
As for the Riders’ special teams, well, “special” is hardly an applicable term.
Leggett scored on the aforementioned punt return. Fail. Onside kick attempt. Fail. Onside punt attempt. Fail. Three yards to show for three punt returns. Fail.
Some of the clunkiest kickoff returns you will ever see. Fail.
Even with plenty of practice on Saturday, the Roughriders could not master the fine art of kickoff returning.
But now, the looming question pertains to a return of a different description.
When, oh when, will Kevin Glenn be back?