Roughriders need to neutralize run

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will need to defend the run in order to successfully defend their Grey Cup title.

The Roughriders’ susceptibility to a ground attack was obvious on Sept. 26, when the Edmonton Eskimos rushed for 299 yards en route to a 24-0 CFL victory over the visitors from Saskatchewan.

Entering Sunday’s rematch with Edmonton, who Saskatchewan plays on Taylor Field beginning at 2 p.m., the Roughriders have allowed a leagueworst average of 6.1 yards per carry.

“We’ve been up and down versus the run for the second half of the whole season,” Roughriders defensive end Ricky Foley said Friday. “We’re going to be focused on the run. Game plan-wise any more (than usual)? Probably not. But execution wise, to an individual, we’re taking it personally that as a team they put up 299 yards rushing.

“That’s embarrassing. That’s the only way I can put it.”

As this week’s slate of games began, Saskatchewan had allowed an average of 118.4 rushing yards per game — the third-highest figure in the nine-team league. Only the Ottawa Redblacks (123.6) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (129.3) had higher averages. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (71.6) boast the league’s stingiest run defence.

Edmonton’s ground game presents a challenge because it includes quarterback Mike Reilly, who had 106 yards on 10 carries on Sept. 26.

Eskimos tailback John White led the way that evening with 192 yards on 17 carries. His totals were fattened by a 36-yard TD run and a subsequent scamper of 60 yards.

Chamblin is confident that his team will be much stronger against the run on Sunday.

“They have good backs,” the Roughriders’ field boss said, “but I’ve got a good defence, also.”