’Riders take record to 3-0 with win over Redblacks
REGINA — Cody Fajardo was a model of consistency Saturday night, leading the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 23-10 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks before 28,559 fans at Mosaic Stadium.
Fajardo completed 30 of 35 passes for 321 yards, an efficiency rating of 86 per cent. He was the game’s leading rusher, gaining 47 yards on nine carries and scoring one touchdown.
While the Riders totalled 397 yards of total offence, getting the ball into the end zone was an issue. Yet Fajardo didn’t allow the lack of red zone success tarnish the victory.
“Touchdowns would be nice but as long as we’re winning football games, the stats don’t matter,” said Fajardo.
“I knew I had to be efficient tonight because of all the zone defence they play, so having just five incompletions is pretty good.” The victory improved Saskatchewan’s record to 3-0, tops in the CFL’s West Division. The last time the Riders started the season 3-0 was 2013 when they won their last Grey Cup title.
The Riders were playing without deep threat Shaq Evans, who suffered a broken foot in last week’s victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Heading into Saturday’s game, Kyran Moore said that although the Riders would miss Evans, the receiving corps has a “next man up” mentality, which was evident with nine different players catching passes in the victory.
“I think one of my favourite things about coach [Jason] Maas’s offence is getting the ball and spreading it around,” said Fajardo.
“Teams just can’t hone in on one or two receivers, take them away from us and have us falter on offence.
“I’m not afraid to throw to anybody. If you’re on the field, an eligible receiver and you’re open, I’m going to try and get the ball to you.”