COULD WE SEE A REMEMBRANCE DAY CLASSIC?
Last time Roughriders and Blue Bombers met in playoff game in Regina was 1975
Although Saskatchewan Roughriders fans were salivating at the possibility of a first-place finish, the alternative scenario — also a rare occurrence — is highly delectable.
Take the Labour Day Classic, factor in stakes that are exponentially higher, and prepare to enjoy a CFL West Division semifinal between the Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Nov. 11 matchup features traditional rivals in a non-traditional scenario.
Regina has not been the host city for a Roughriders/Bombers playoff matchup since Nov. 8, 1975, when Saskatchewan posted a 42-24 first-round victory. To recap that game in 1975: George Reed, playing for the final time at Taylor Field, rushed for 101 yards and one touchdown.
Ron Lancaster completed 20 of 27 passes for 338 yards, with two of his four touchdown passes being caught by Rhett Dawson.
Saskatchewan sacked the Bombers’ Ralph (he was not yet known as Dieter) Brock six times, with George Wells felling the quarterback on five occasions.
Although the Roughriders did their utmost to knock a chip off the old Brock, he was somehow able to complete the game.
“I’m OK,” he said in the cramped visitors’ dressing room at Taylor Field. “Just got the breath knocked out of me a few times. They didn’t knock me out of the game, did they?”
All these years later, the Roughriders are blessed with a comparably formidable defence — but without the complementary offensive arsenal.
Lancaster threw his fourth touchdown pass in the 48th minute against Winnipeg.
The 2018 Roughriders have four touchdown passes over their last seven games — and none in the last 19 quarters.
During that span, though, defensive end Willie Jefferson took over two key games en route to being named the Roughriders’ most outstanding player.
Jefferson’s 49-yard interception-return touchdown late in the fourth quarter was the difference as Saskatchewan defeated the visiting Edmonton Eskimos 19-12 on Oct. 8.
He then deflected a pass (which was intercepted by Tobi Antigha) and registered a strip-sack of Travis Lulay (with Zack Evans recovering the fumble for a touchdown) on Oct. 27 in a 31-16 victory over the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium.
That result secured a home playoff game for the Roughriders. The only remaining question pertained to whether they would finish first or second in the West.
For the Roughriders to receive top spot, they needed B.C. to defeat the visiting Calgary Stampeders on Saturday night.
It was a lot to ask, considering Calgary had every incentive to win, whereas B.C. already knew it would be crossing over into the East Division and meeting the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Nov. 11.
Sure enough, Calgary won a yawner, 26-9.
As a result, the Stampeders will enjoy their annual first-round bye, while the Roughriders prepare to face the Bombers in a clash of teams with disparate styles.
Winnipeg has an array of offensive weapons and a co-ordinator, Paul LaPolice, who is known for imaginative play calls.
For the Roughriders, offence seems to be an inconvenience. Fifteen of Saskatchewan’s 40 touchdowns were scored by the defence or special teams.
Although the CFL is reputedly an offensively oriented league, Saskatchewan’s defence generates most of the excitement and buzz.
The schemes of head coach/ defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones present a puzzle for the most-experienced quarterbacks, and there is always the distinct possibility of a game-changing play.
The Bombers can attest to that. On Sept. 8, Saskatchewan won 32-27 in Winnipeg despite failing to score an offensive touchdown.
Winnipeg was leading 10-0, and seemingly poised to fatten its lead, when Jefferson (who else?) intercepted Matt Nichols and jogged 97 yards to pay dirt.
Later, Jefferson disrupted the timing of Nichols, whose short pass was intercepted by Sam Eguavoen and returned 103 yards for another defensive touchdown.
When the teams met again Oct. 13 at Investors Group Field, it was the Bombers’ turn to assert themselves defensively. Adam Bighill had three sacks to help Winnipeg blank Saskatchewan 31-0.
The Roughriders quickly rebounded, winning their final two regular-season games to finish with a 12-6 record.
Winnipeg (10-8) won its final five games that mattered before resting Nichols in a 33-24 loss to Edmonton on Saturday.
So the stage is set for an appetizing playoff collision between Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.
Kickoff is set for Remembrance Day at 3:30 p.m., at new Mosaic Stadium, where the Roughriders hope to reprise some old times.