Riders’ defensive back steps up for infant son
Saskatchewan enters bye week, B.C. must rebound against Calgary
TORONTO — Ed Gainey has plenty of time to relish his record-setting performance.
Gainey had a club-record four interceptions Sunday in leading the Saskatchewan Roughriders past the B.C. Lions 41-8 at Mosaic Stadium. The picks were his first of the season and nearly doubled the six-year veteran’s career total (nine).
Saskatchewan (3-4) earned its first win over a West Division rival but won’t play again until Aug. 25 when it visits Edmonton (7-0).
What’s more, Gainey’s banner day came with his 10-month-old son Grayson in the stands. And the 27-year-old defensive back had the infant in his arms when presented the game ball in the dressing room.
“Last year . . . I pretty much dedicated the whole season to him,” Gainey said. “Every game I had his due date written on my spat or my gloves. For him to come to this game, I just wanted to make sure it was memorable for him.”
Gainey had a club-high three interceptions last year but had struggled early this season.
“It’s been kind of hard for me, I’ve been pressing too much,” he said. “Just going out there and leading by example, that’s pretty much the best I can give these guys.”
Gainey also had a fumble recovery in accounting for five of the seven turnovers that Saskatchewan recorded in the game. The Riders had just two interceptions and five takeaways through the first six games.
“The defensive energy kind of carried the team,” said Riders quarterback Kevin Glenn, who threw for 320 yards and three TDs. “When you’ve got the defence getting takeaways like that, you can’t do nothing but put points on the board as an offence.”
Saskatchewan captured the season series with B.C. (5-3) on point differential after dropping a 30-15 road decision to the Lions on Aug. 5. The Riders are a stellar 3-1 at Mosaic but 0-3 away from home.
On Friday night, the Lions host the Calgary Stampeders (5-1-1), who haven’t played since a 41-24 road win over Toronto on Aug. 3.
A couple of big names on Calgary’s defence — linebacker Deron Mayo and lineman Junior Turner — are expected to make their season debuts coming off knee injuries.