Anthony Allen making up for miscues
Anthony Allen hasn’t forgotten what took place earlier in the CFL season.
Allen remembers losing his position as the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ primary tailback after losing a fumble in two consecutive games. That’s why Allen is so appreciative of the fact that he was leading the CFL with 849 rushing yards heading into Sunday’s game (2 p.m., TSN, CKRM) against the visiting Edmonton Eskimos.
“I didn’t think it would happen, especially after the fourth game when I wasn’t playing anymore,’’ Allen said Friday. “I stayed with it. That’s a testament to staying confident and staying ready.’’
Allen’s perseverance means the 26-year-old graduate of Georgia Tech is on pace to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in his first CFL season. That’s a development Allen didn’t foresee when he was benched by head coach Corey Chamblin due to early-season fumbles issues.
“(Rushing for 1,000 yards) was definitely a personal goal of mine coming into the season,’’ said Allen, who was third in the CFL with 156 carries and is tied for second in the league with eight touchdowns (five rushing and three receiving).
“It would mean a lot for the team and especially the offensive line because it means we’re running the ball well.’’
Allen’s fumble issues led to him being benched after four regular-season games and he didn’t dress for the next three contests. Since Allen’s return to the active roster on Week 9, he has recorded 115 carries for 608 yards with four touchdowns. Only Calgary Stampeders Jon Cornish (750 yards) has more rushing yards than Allen over those eight games. Allen has accounted for 320 of Saskatchewan’s 764 net yards in the Riders’ last three games.
Allen’s performance has all but eliminated the need for a running back rotation that had also included Will Ford and Jerome Messam. Allen enjoys being the primary tailback.
“I like being the guy who puts the team on his back and tries to run people over,’’ said Allen.
That was evident in the first half of the Montreal Alouettes’ 40-9 win over the visiting Riders on Monday. Allen had 19 carries for 105 yards and three receptions for 31 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown reception. He recorded 22 of the Riders’ 24 touches on offence in the opening half.
“It was crazy, but it was great because we were moving the ball,’’ Allen said. “We were clicking and unfortunately we got behind a little bit. We started to have those miscues and we started to play bad football.’’
One miscue took place in the third quarter with the Riders trailing 24-7 when quarterback Tino Sunseri wasn’t able to execute a handoff to Allen. The ball hit the turf and Montreal recovered on Saskatchewan’s 30-yard line. Two plays later, Montreal’s Brandon London scored on a 30-yard pass from Jonathan Crompton. Sean Whyte’s convert increased Montreal’s lead to 31-7 and Allen didn’t see the field again.
Allen said after the game he was benched for losing the fumble. Head coach Corey Chamblin said that wasn’t the case on Friday.
“He was probably going to come out, anyway, but that just added to it,’’ Chamblin said. “We’re pretty much past that and I think he understands that. Early in the year, it was that. At that point (on Monday), I was putting a little bit more on me because he had taken a shot earlier in the game where he probably shouldn’t have been out there.’’
What it means is Allen is expected to start Sunday and continue his pursuit of surpassing 1,000 yards.
“I’ve always known that I’m a good running back,’’ Allen said. “I’ve just been waiting for my opportunities and they have given me one here.’’