Roughriders hope to enjoy a run of success
The Saskatchewan Roughriders need to run effectively to enjoy a successful stretch run.
The numbers bear that out. During the Roughriders’ six victories this season, they have outrushed the opposition by 30.3 yards per game (85.8 to 55.5).
In the six losses, however, Saskatchewan has been outgained by an average of 82 yards (137.3 to 55.3) along the ground.
The contrast was especially pronounced in the Roughriders’ mostrecent game — Sunday’s 15-9 loss to the visiting Calgary Stampeders.
Calgary rushed 28 times for 148 yards, led by Jerome Messam’s 23-carry, 127-yard effort. Saskatchewan, meanwhile, had 12 rushes for a mere 28 yards — 12 of which were produced by quarterback Brandon Bridge. The Roughriders’ starting tailback, Kienan LaFrance, managed four yards on four carries.
The lack of a running game also allowed Calgary’s defence to tee off on starting quarterback Kevin Glenn, who must receive better protection Friday against the host Ottawa Redblacks. An effective rushing attack would keep the opposing defence honest.
“I think it’s extremely important,” Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones said. “You’ve got to be able to run the football to control the clock. So we’ve got to do a better job of both those things. We’ve got to be able to run the ball, and we’ve got to be able to protect our quarterback.”
Improved run defence is also a must for the Roughriders, who allowed Messam to devour yardage and time of possession. Two-thirds of the way into the regular season, Jones is concerned that gap discipline continues to be an issue.
“It is very discouraging, quite honestly, because they had 11 runs for like 33 yards and then they had 13 runs where we were out of our gaps for 90-some yards,” Jones noted. “In those 90-some yards are hidden points. They flip field position. They get drives going.”