Powell’s three TDs help Riders trounce Lions, 45-18
VANCOUVER — The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive line might be in for a free dinner after helping the team to a dominant 45-18 win over the B.C. Lions on Saturday.
“I owe those guys some pizza or steaks or something,” quarterback Cody Fajardo said after the victory.
The Riders (3-3) had 35 rushing attempts on the night, leading to 227 offensive yards and three touchdowns.
Fajardo put in yet another solid showing, tossing for 169-yards on 21-of-26 attempts, including one touchdown.
Where B.C. (1-6) looked listless and disorganized on Saturday, the Riders were strong and confident.
Saskatchewan dominated the game from the outset, with the offence scoring early and often, and the defence keeping B.C. penned deep in its own end. a big one. “Our guys knew if we could come in and win this game we’d get a little bit of a head start on B.C.,” he said. “It’s a long season. Our guys knew that was a big game and I thought they played well.”
Running back William Powell had a solid outing for the Riders, scoring three touchdowns and tallying 146 rushing yards on 21 carries. His most impressive performance of the night came in the second quarter, when Powell took a hand-off from Fajardo and snuck through a scrum before sprinting 42-yards down the field and into the end zone.
The 31-year-old native of Duncanville, Texas, said he had a “decent game.”
Fajardo was more effusive, saying Powell was “pretty awesome.”
“You know Willie P does what Willie P does,” he said.
“Any time you can get the run game going, it helps me as a quarterback, the throwing lanes are a little bit open. Offensive lineman love it when we can run the ball. Those guys really won us the game up front. Just being able at the end of the game to grind out the clock. We were able to drive the field and score.”
The defeat marked B.C.’s third loss in a row. Lions coach DeVone Claybrooks said his squad is playing “bad football” and “self imploding” in their own zone.
Mike Reilly put up 66 passing yards for B.C., completing just 8-of-19 attempts. Late in the fourth quarter, he was replaced by Danny O’Brien, who did not make a successful pass.
Saturday marked the first time this season that Reilly has been replaced.
“I felt like the game was out of reach at that point,” Claybrooks explained. “We just decided to go with Danny and get Danny some reps.”
The Lions will get a chance to regroup with a bye next week before returning to action in Hamilton on Aug. 10. The Riders will host the Ticats on Thursday.