Jefferson, Eguavoen make a major difference

WINNIPEG Willie Jefferson and Samuel Eguavoen both found their way to the end zone in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ 3227 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

But there was a major difference in their paths to pay dirt.

Jefferson danced, swerved and celebrated on his way to scoring on a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown on Saturday. Eguavoen, a linebacker, basically ran a straight line en route to turning his pick into a 103-yard touchdown.

“I wouldn’t say I was showboating,” Jefferson said after Riders’ win in the Banjo Bowl. “I was just living in the moment after a big play. We were in a hostile environment, we were down, and we needed that play.”

Jefferson, who jumped into the air to intercept a Matt Nichols pass on the Riders’ 13-yard line, wasn’t worried about being caught from behind.

“I saw them coming,” said the lanky defensive end. “(Winnipeg ’s Darvin Adams) was coming from the left side so I switched the ball to my right hand so if he did get there the ball would have been over the goal-line.”

Eguavoen had Jefferson’s back on the play because he was one of the Riders looking to block if any of the Blue Bombers closed in.

“I was tying to escort Willie to the end zone and I look ahead of me and he’s on the other hash,” Eguavoen said. “I wondered what he was doing.

“Coach Jones was cussing on the sideline, but he got into the end zone and that’s all that matters.”

Jefferson played a different role in Eguavoen’s touchdown, which came late in the second quarter.

Jefferson pressured Nichols into attempting a desperation, underhanded pass while on Saskatchewan’s seven-yard line. Eguavoen intercepted the pass and raced untouched into the end zone without any theatrics.

“I knew I was on field goal (convert unit) and so I wasn’t going to celebrate like Willie because I was going to be on the field right away,” Eguavoen said with a laugh. “It was a good touchdown, but I also knew that we had more football to play.”

Jefferson and Eguavoen were among many contributors to the Riders’ defensive effort on Saturday.

Defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy had two interceptions and chipped in a game-high eight defensive tackles. Mike Edem also intercepted a pass.

Jefferson also had three defensive tackles, a tackle for a loss and one of the Riders’ three sacks.

Fellow Riders defensive end Charleston Hughes was held without a sack, snapping a streak of eight consecutive games with at least one sack. He still leads the CFL with 13 sacks, while Jefferson has six.

“That’s what I have been talking about since the beginning of the season,” Jefferson said. “At the beginning of the season, people have been double- and triple-teaming me. Charleston took advantage of that and he was able to get his sacks.

“Over the past couple of weeks, teams have been leaning more towards him. I’ve been trying to get off the ball more and make plays so our tandem doesn’t have a weak point.”

Eguavoen said teams will pay a price if they focus too much on Hughes instead of Jefferson.

“I don’t think offensive linemen are sleeping on Willie because they know what he can do,” Eguavoen said. “Charleston is hot right now so if they want to slide his way, they are about to let Willie eat. We know what Willie can do and if you let him free, he’s going to cause havoc in the backfield.”