Defence makes the difference as Riders tame the Tiger-Cats
Brandon Bridge handed the ball to Marcus Thigpen for the gamewinning touchdown. But you have to hand it to Chris Jones, as well.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ head coach and general manager was under fire leading up to Thursday night’s CFL game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Fans’ vitriol was understandable after Saturday’s still unfathomable 23-17 loss to the visiting Montreal Alouettes, who somehow snapped a 13-game losing streak.
But Jones, et al, earned a measure of redemption Thursday by guiding the Green and White to an 18-13 victory at Mosaic Stadium.
The surprising outcome won’t mollify those who rightfully pose questions about the state of the Roughriders’ offence, such as it is.
Although Thigpen scored the deciding points on a 34-yard run with 1:29 remaining in the fourth quarter, that was one of the Roughriders’ few offensive plays of note.
Another exception was the previous play — a 29-yard catch by Joshua Stanford, who spectacularly snared a Bridge bullet while falling backward.
Those two timely plays aside, the offence was generally a rumour as the Roughriders alternated Bridge and David Watford at quarterback.
The bizarre formula produced only 12 first downs and 148 passing yards — including a mere 24 in the first half — but, for a change, mistakes were a rarity.
There was one fumble, by Bridge just before he crossed the goal-line on what would have been a 14-yard TD run, but that was the extent of the turnovers.
After throwing two interceptions apiece against Montreal, neither Bridge nor Watford was picked off Thursday night.
Yet, there were still reasons to be ticked off.
The play calling continues to be predictable and, at times, of high school calibre.
The continued (mis)use of star receiver Duron Carter on defence is simply inexcusable — especially when the depleted offence is struggling.
But, ultimately, the results are paramount.
Jones is paid — handsomely — to win. And his defensive game plan, incorporating Carter, was a clear winner against a Hamilton team that’s touted to be one of the league’s best.
Yes, Tiger-Cats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli amassed 333 aerial yards. He extended his streak of 300-yard passing games to nine, tying a CFL record that was previously set by Montreal’s Sam Etcheverry (in 1956) and Saskatchewan’s Kent Austin (1991).
The key, though, was that Hamilton was barred from the end zone. All the Tiger-Cats’ points were produced by Lirim Hajrullahu, who kicked four field goals and a single.
For the longest time, it appeared that a kicker — Hajrullahu or the Riders’ Brett Lauther — would decide the game as the teams kept exchanging the lead.
At one point, it was reasonable to wonder whether the Roughriders’ defence would be able to score enough points to win.
Saskatchewan’s first touchdown, after all, came after Charleston Hughes sacked Masoli, plucked the ensuing fumble out of the air and waltzed 57 yards for a second-quarter touchdown.
That was one of many enormous defensive plays for the Roughriders, who were vulnerable to the run in the first quarter but nonetheless limited Hamilton to four points.
Thereafter, the Jones influence was discernible — and more reminiscent of the gamblin’ man he was reputed to be before arriving in Saskatchewan.
Instead of relying on three- and four-man rushes, to the point of tedium, Jones threw all sorts of different looks at the Tiger-Cats.
Jones blitzed on 51 per cent of the pass snaps, according to TSN’s Derek Taylor, disrupting a Tiger-Cats offence that had been purring along quite nicely.
One of Hamilton’s strengths had been its ability to keep opponents away from Masoli, using maximum protection if necessary.
That approach wasn’t as successful as usual, given Jones’ determination to create chaos.
The Ticats’ state of confusion was evidenced by the fact that defensive end Tobi Antigha registered an interception while playing safety.
Jones also avoided a mismatch by assigning his best defensive back — Ed Gainey — to cover the Tiger-Cats’ mercurial Brandon Banks.
Carter was often assigned to shadow Terrence Toliver, a reputable receiver in his own right, and fared well.
That being said, it’s time to bid farewell to the Carter-at-corner-back experiment. It’s gone on long enough.
With the Riders on a bye week, they’ll have ample time to recruit a bona fide cornerback, allowing Carter to return to wide receiver.
The offence clearly needs someone of his abilities after scoring just one touchdown a week through four games.
And, after Thursday’s display, the Roughriders’ quarterbacks need all the help they can get.
The victory over Hamilton was a tonic, but the job is still incomplete.