New-look Riders roll to victory
Squad improves to 2-0
Saskatchewan 17,
Edmonton 1
A lot of talk around the Saskatchewan Roughriders this season has been related to how different the 2012 squad is from last year’s disappointing team.
Perhaps the most telling statistic about the 2012 Roughriders is they are 2-0 after beating the Edmonton Eskimos 17-1 on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium. It took the 2011 Roughriders nine games and two head coaches to record two victories last season. “It’s a new team and we have a whole bunch of new players here,’’ Riders middle linebacker Shomari Williams said after 31,459 spectators had filed out of Mosaic Stadium. “We have a new focus and a new mentality. Last year was in the past and this year we’re focused on starting fast. That’s something we have been preaching since training camp started.’’
The Roughriders are off to a much faster start compared to 2011. The Roughriders lost their first three games underthen head Greg Marshall before beating the host Montreal Alouettes 27-24. It took the Roughriders four home games to register their first victory at Mosaic Stadium.
The Riders beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 27-7 on Sept. 4 for their first home win under head Ken Miller, who returned to the sidelines after resigning after the 2010 season to concentrate on his duties as vice-president of football operations. Miller fired Marshall and offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry after the Riders’ record dipped to 1-7. Sunday’s win over the Eskimos was also the Riders first over a West Division since 2010. The Riders were 0-10 against the West last year en route to a 5-13 overall record.
“I’m trying to avoid the comparisons to 2011 as much as I can,’’ Williams said.
“It’s night and day how we approach the game compared to last year. We just have to keep the ball rolling so we don’t dig ourselves a hole like we did last year when it felt so insurmountable to overcome.’’
The Riders are tied for first place in the West Division with the B.C. Lions (2-0). The Riders and the Lions, the defending Grey Cup champions, are to meet Saturday at Mosaic Stadium.
“I don’t like to call (the Lions) Grey Cup champs because they aren’t the champs of 2012 yet,’’ said Riders’ defensive end Brent Hawkins, who had a sack and a fumble recovery. “There has yet to be a winner this year and we’re all going for one big goal. They are going to come out screaming and fighting and so are we.’’
The Riders, who opened the season on June 29 with a 43-16 victory over the host Hamilton Tiger-cats, were the victors after Sunday’s game due to the play of their defence.
Odell Willis, Woodny Turenne, Tearrius George, davidveikune, hawkins and Williams recorded sacks. Safety Craig Butler Z had a late interception and defensive halfback Chris Mckenzie recorded two knockdowns.
Willis, a defensive end who was acquired from the Blue Bombers during the offseason for draft picks, forced a fumble, had a pass knockdown and recorded two defensive tackles. “This is the most satisfying win so far,’’ Willis said. “To hold a team to no offensive points, is a big accomplishment. The guys should be happy, but it’s just two games and we still have 16 more to go.’’
The Roughriders’ offence did enough to win. Quarterback Darian Durant completed 20 of 32 passes for 209 yards and his longest completion was 21 yards. “It’s all about moving the chains, especially when your defence is hot like that,’’ said Durant, who didn’t commit a turnover for the second consecutive start.
Riders’ rookie running back Kory Sheets was an offensive force for the second consecutive game.
Sheets had 14 carries for 89 yards and iced the match with a 34-yard touchdown run at 12:48 of the fourth quarter.
“Being 2-and-0 means everything, especially coming off the season that we had last year,’’ Sheets said. “Coming out and starting fast shows that the team is totally different from last year.’’
Riders placekicker Chris Milo connected on two of three field goal attempts, two punt singles and a convert. The Eskimos also conceded a second-quarter safety.
Punter Burke Dales recorded Edmonton’s lone point on 62-yard single in the second quarter. The Eskimos fell to 1-1 and are to play the Blue Bombers in Edmonton on Friday.
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan left guard Brendon LaBatte suffered an injury to his right shoulder in the first quarter. LaBatte didn’t return and his place was filled by Patrick Neufeld. LaBatte hopes to play against the Lions, but that remains to be determined.