KEVIN GLENN JOINS ELITE CLUB
QB reaches milestone against Stamps
CALGARY Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Kevin Glenn wasn’t in a celebratory mood Saturday after joining an elite club of CFL legends.
Glenn became just the seventh CFL quarterback to throw for more than 50,000 yards in his career Saturday during a 27-10 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. The defeat dropped Saskatchewan’s record to 1-3 and overshadowed Glenn’s feat.
“It’s tough to enjoy it because the bigger prize was the win,’’ Glenn said. “I’m a team guy and that’s all I’m about. It’s good to be recognized for an individual statistic because it happens. We’re individuals playing a team sport. It’s tough to enjoy it, but I probably had a bunch of text messages from family and friends congratulating me.’’
Glenn added that even one of the officials congratulated him on the accomplishment.
“All of my teammates did too,’’ said Glenn, who is in his 17th CFL season and third stint with the Riders. “I credit that stuff to all of the guys that I played with. From the first time I stepped on the field in the CFL to getting that opportunity there have been a slew of people who have been part of my success in this league.’’
That includes Naaman Roosevelt, whose 23-yard reception in the third quarter allowed Glenn to surpass 50,000 yards. One play later, Cameron Marshall scored on a five-yard run and Tyler Crapigna’s convert reduced Calgary’s lead to 17-7.
“I’m happy for Kevin because he has been doing it for a long time,’’ said Roosevelt, who led all Riders receivers with six receptions for 57 yards. “He has been an amazing player and I’m happy for him.’’
Glenn completed 20 of 29 passes for 203 yards and increased his career passing-yardage total to 50,087. The 38-year-old Glenn joined Anthony Calvillo (79,816), Damon Allen (72,381), Henry Burris (63,639), Ricky Ray (56,412), Danny McManus (53,255) and Ron Lancaster (50,535) as the only CFL quarterbacks to throw for more than 50,000 yards.
It didn’t appear that Glenn would hit the 50,000-yard mark on Saturday because of a brutal first half. Calgary dominated the Riders in all facets of the game and led 17-0 after the second quarter.
Glenn completed just five of eight passes for 55 yards and was sacked five times in the opening 30 minutes.
Defensively, the Riders couldn’t stop Calgary running back Jerome Messam. He had 17 carries 96 yards in the first half en route to finishing with 28 carries for 135 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown.
“You have to give credit to their offensive line because they did a good job,’’ said middle linebacker Henoc Muamba, who led the Riders with eight defensive tackles. “You know what to expect from Jerome Messam and he did a good job too.’’
Saskatchewan’s defence once again suffered coverage breakdowns, which led to Calgary’s first-half touchdowns by Marquay McDaniel and Lemar Durant.
Rookie strong-side linebacker Sam Williams had an inconsistent first half while being penalized for pass interference and illegal contact and being beaten badly on the touchdown by Durant. Williams, 23, countered those miscues with an interception and five defensive tackles.
“He’s a young kid who was going against one of the best guys in the league in Marquay,’’ said Riders head coach and general manager Chris Jones. “They did a good job of game planning for him. He’s a good player and we’re going to keep working with him.’’
The Riders have work to do before playing host to the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The offensive line played better in the second half and can build on that showing.
Defensively, the Riders need to increase the pressure on Toronto quarterback Ricky Ray and address coverage issues.
“It’s one of those things that happens when you go against a good offence,’’ said defensive end Willie Jefferson, who had four defensive tackles and three quarterback pressures. “I believe in my secondary and I know that they can make plays.’’
Glenn feels the Riders have to start stronger against the Argonauts. “We can’t come out and do uncharacteristic things in the first half, not get into a rhythm, and think we’re going to compete in this league,’’ he said. “We have to come out from the start. I know the guys know that. It’s just more so of us displaying it on the field at those given times.’’