Loss to Lions dims Riders’ faint playoff hopes
Must win all their remaining games, and get help
VANCOUVER • Hope is fleeting when it comes to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ 2015 season.
The Riders are mathematically alive for the CFL’s post-season despite Saturday’s 46-20 loss to the B.C. Lions at BC Place. The road loss dropped the Riders’ record to 2-12 while the Lions improved to 5-8. Three of the Lions’ wins have come at the Riders’ expense.
Realistically, making the playoffs is remote because the Riders would need to win their remaining four regular-season games and get a lot of help from other teams.
Considering the Riders haven’t won consecutive games since Aug. 31 and Sept. 7 in 2014, that development seems even more remote. The Riders actually squandered a chance to grab some control of their playoff destiny with a win over the Lions on Saturday.
The Riders are chasing the Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Montreal Alouettes for third place in the West Division. The Alouettes, who would cross over from the East Division for the playoffs, were beaten 3719 by the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday. The Blue Bombers were edged 24-23 by the Edmonton Eskimos prior to Saturday’s kickoff. Despite all of their losses, the Riders had an opportunity to turn around their season with a win over the Lions.
“I don’t think it was a wasted opportunity, because we still have an opportunity to do it,” said Riders quarterback Kevin Glenn. “It’s going to be a fight, but I wouldn’t look at it as a wasted opportunity. I just look at it as maybe a situation where we didn’t come to play. We didn’t get it done. You’ve got to give B.C. credit. They did what they needed to do but, the thing is, we still have some games left that can put us back to where we really want to be.”
Head coach Bob Dyce accepted responsibility for the Riders’ poor showing in what was another mustwin game.
“I told the guys in there that I have to do a better job of preparing them for the game,’’ said Dyce, whose record fell to 2-3 as the Riders’ interim head coach. “That’s not the staff. It’s my job to have them prepared to play.’’
Lions rookie quarterback Jonathon Jennings was prepared to play in just his second CFL start. He threw four touchdown passes and caught a 21-yard scoring toss from receiver Austin Collie on a trick play. Jennings completed 19 of 25 passes for 364 yards. He also had five carries for 40 yards. The 23-year-old Jennings also kept plays alive by eluding would-be sackers.
“He did have a successful night,’’ Dyce said, “As I told the guys, we missed some assignments and we missed some sacks. You look at 11 of their points in the first half. We make those sacks and don’t miss those tackles, those points aren’t up on the board and it’s a different story coming into the second half.’’
Glenn struggled, which contributed to the Lions’ 20-5 halftime lead. He was 15-for-21 for 185 yards in the contest with three turnovers — two interceptions and a lost fumble. Glenn’s fumble ended Saskatchewan’s first possession. Ryan Phillips intercepted him on Saskatchewan’s next possession.
“We just didn’t play our game (Saturday),’’ said Glenn, who was replaced in the fourth quarter by Brett Smith with the Riders trailing 40-11. “We had a couple of turnovers and we couldn’t get anything going. It just wasn’t our night.’’
It doesn’t appear to be the Riders’ season. The Riders have no margin for error while playing three of their final four regular-season games on the road. Saskatchewan hasn’t won a game on the road since beating the Blue Bombers 30-24 on Sept. 7, 2014. Saskatchewan’s next game is Friday in Hamilton against the Tiger-Cats.
“Are we done? Do we lose hope? No,’’ said Riders defensive end John Chick. “You can’t because each guy is a pro and that’s what it will come down to. You’re playing for your vitality. You’re playing for next season. Everyone is still highly motivated and we have to find ways to win games if we’re going to keep our dream alive.’’
Saskatchewan, which trailed 40-5 after three quarters, scored its first touchdown when Markus White blocked a punt and Keenan MacDougall pounced on the loose ball in the end zone at 1:49 of the fourth quarter.
Smith, who took over from Glenn just two minutes into the fourth quarter, found Naaman Roosevelt for a 47-yard touchdown with 2:49 left in the game. Overall, Smith went 5-for8 for 94 yards, with one touchdown and an interception.
Dyce said that Glenn will start against the Tiger-Cats because the veteran gives them their best chance of winning.