Fajardo celebrates deal by driving comeback win
What a week for Cody Fajardo.
It started on Oct. 21 with the announcement that the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ quarterback had signed a two-year contract extension, reportedly worth $450,000 per annum.
On Saturday, Fajardo capped an eventful few days by leading the Riders to a thrilling 27-24 win over the host Edmonton Eskimos that clinched a home playoff game for the Green and White.
“Anytime that a team invests in you, you want to show that you can do it,” Fajardo said after Saturday’s win at Commonwealth Stadium. “It’s a little bit easier when they aren’t paying you that much. When they invest a lot of money in you, you want to prove them right.
“(Because of that) this was going to be the game that had the most pressure. It was almost like Grey Cup pressure for me (with the contract), Calgary losing, and it was all piling on. I will reap the benefits of that, for sure.”
The Riders gained from Fajardo’s production on a drive that began with one minute 43 seconds remaining in Saturday’s game. Fajardo engineered an eight-play, 69-yard drive capped by Brett Lauther’s 43-yard walk-off field goal.
Along with securing the aforementioned home playoff game, the field goal enhanced the Riders’ chances of playing host to the West Division final for the first time since 2009 — and only the second time in a 43-season span.
A win or tie versus the visiting Eskimos on Saturday would clinch first place in the West Division for the Riders and home-field advantage in the division final on Nov. 17. If the Riders lose to Edmonton, they can also place first if the B.C. Lions defeat Calgary later in the day.
“I’m really excited to see how Mosaic is with our fans in a home playoff game,” Fajardo said.
“If I thought it was rocking for Labour Day or the first home game, I know it will be rocking for a playoff game.”
The Riders weren’t rocking in the first half Saturday, when they trailed 14-0 in the first quarter and 17-7 after 30 minutes. That’s when the teams retreated to their locker rooms for what is usually a 15-minute break.
A fireworks display and a subsequent power outage extended the break by approximately 15 minutes. The Riders put the extra time to good use.
“It’s similar to a Grey Cup halftime that you get a little extended time,” said Fajardo, who completed 25 of 35 passes for 429 yards and two touchdowns. “For me, I was able to talk to (offensive co-ordinator Stephen) Mcadoo a little more because half of the time he has to leave early to get back in the press box. It was nice to have a lengthy conversation.”
Saskatchewan responded by scoring 14 third-quarter points, courtesy of touchdown catches by Kyran Moore (25 yards) and Manny Arceneaux (five yards) and converts by Lauther to assume a 21-17 lead.
Lauther’s 30-yard, fourth-quarter field goal increased the Riders’ lead to 24-17.
Edmonton roared back with a 12-yard touchdown catch by Tevaun Smith. Sean Whyte’s convert tied the score 24-24 with 1:48 left, setting the stage for Fajardo’s fourth game-winning drive of the season.
The Riders are in first place thanks in part to what happened on Friday when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers beat the visiting Stampeders 27-24 on Justin Medlock’s walk-off 23-yard field goal.
The result left the Riders (12-5) alone atop the West Division, followed by the Stampeders (11-6) and Blue Bombers (11-7) with one week remaining in the regular-season schedule.
The fourth-place Eskimos (8-9) can’t improve their playoff position. They will be the crossover team into the East Division playoffs and will meet the Montreal Alouettes in a semifinal on Nov. 10.