2012 Saskatchewan Roughriders:

The Return of “Canada’s Team”

Games 1 through 9 (The First Half of the Season)

Game 1 at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6/29/12)

(Apologies for combining nine games into one post)

Late June means that the CFL season is back, and we’ll be following our beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders every step of the way. Ken Miller was out as head coach and replaced by the youthful Corey Chamblin. After last season’s disastrous 5-13 result, the Riders looked to open the season on the right foot as they traveled to Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton for a date with the Tiger-Cats. Gone from the Riders is Andy Fantuz, who signed as a free agent. Also leading the charge for the Ti-Cats will be veteran quarterback Henry Burris, who routinely burned the Riders’ defense when he played for Calgary.

Former Rider Luca Congi kicked off and the Ti-Cats’ Samuel Giguere made a great special teams tackle, pinning the Riders back at the 14. Kory Sheets carried off left tackle out to the 25. Wes Cates is no longer with the team and was replaced by Sheets. On second and 5, Darian Durant scrambled to the left for a first down. Durant then hit Rob Bagg for 4. The drive stalled there and Milo punted out, with the Ti-Cats getting a good return out to the 44. Henry Burris hit Andy Fantuz for 5 and then connected with Preston Yancey for a first down. Hamilton’s drive fell apart at midfield and they punted away. Sinorice Moss returned the ball back to the 22. Wesley Dressler carried around left end for 5. Durant then connected with Dressler over the middle for a first down at the 43. Dressler then gained 7 on a swing route to the left. Durant then pushed ahead for a first down. Durant then found Dressler in the right flat for another first down. Sheets then carried off left tackle for 12 more. From the 35, Durant rushed up the middle for 9. Sheets then banged off left tackle to the 9. From there, Durant found Dressler in the right flat for the touchdown, it was a 9-play, 86 yard drive. Hamilton started out their next drive at the 35. Burris found Chris Williams in the right flat for a first down. Williams then caught another pass over the middle at the Riders’ 48. Burris moved the ball down to the Riders’ 43 but a pass to Gigure fell short of the first down. Congi successfully attempted a 41-yard field goal to put the Ti-Cats on the board. The Riders then started out at the 35 and former Patriot Shawn Crable made a great tackle for a two-yard loss. A holding call against the Riders then killed that drive and Milo punted out with the Ti-Cats taking over at their 31 as the quarter came to a close.

On first down, Walker’s draw play attempt gained 1, but then Burris hit Fantuz for a first down at the 50. Williams then made two catches for short yards to pick up a first down. Walker then went off left tackle down to the 21. They were able to move the ball to the 13 where Congi knocked in a chip shot to make it 7-6. After a short kickoff, the Riders started out at the 34. Durant was sacked by Ray Williams on first down. On second down, Durant connected with Dressler at the left sideline and Dressler raced down to the 25. From there, Durant found Chris Getzlaf all alone in the left corner of the end zone for the touchdown to make it 14-6. Sam Hurl made a great horse-collar tackle that pinned Hamilton deep in their territory.  On first down, Chevon Walker rushed off left tackle and took it to the house in a spectacular 89-yard rush to the end zone. He had a small seam and broke it to the left and raced down the sideline to make it 14-13, Riders. The Riders started out their next drive at the 40 and Dressler took a slot pass for 9. An off-sides call against Crable moved the ball ahead 5 more yards. But Durant threw two incompletions and the drive stalled at midfield. Burris then led out the offense at the Hamilton 13. Chris McKenzie broke up a pass on first down. Burris then connected with Chris Williams on a long touchdown pass but a holding call against Hamilton’s Dyakowski nullified the touchdown. Burris rushed up the middle but was tackled well short of the first down. The Ti-Cats’ punter, Josh Bartlel, elected to down the ball in the end zone for a safety, to give the Riders a 16-13 lead. The Riders started out at their 50. Sheets was tackled after a short gain. After an incompletion, the Riders punted out, but Jones appeared to have muffed the punt but after a review, it was ruled that Jones did not touch the ball and the Riders were hit with a no-yards penalty.  After the three-minute warning, Burris hit Williams over the middle for a first down. On the next play, Williams caught another pass inside Rider territory. Burris was ten tackled after a short gain. A holding call on Marwan Hage set the ball back 10 yards and Burris’ ensuing pass gained only 3, so Bartel punted out and, after a no-yards penalty on Kanya, the Riders started out at the 26. The drive went nowhere and the Ti-Cats started out at their 30 with one minute remaining in the half. Burris hit Grant in the left flat for a first down and then Fantuz picked up 15 more at midfield. Burris’ next pass was intercepted by Tyrone Brackinridge, who returned the ball back to midfield with 15 seconds left on the clock. After a short gain, an unnecessary roughness call against Hamilton gave Chris Milo great field goal position at the 30 but Milo’s kick rang off the goal post. After the kick there was some pushing and shoving at the line of scrimmage as the half came to an end.

Sinorice Moss returned the opening kick of the second half to the 37. On first down, Rob Bagg took a pass and raced out to midfield. On the following play, Getzlaf gained 30 on a leaping catch down to the 20. Dressler then caught a pass in the right corner of the end zone for the touchdown and the Riders went up 23-13. Gigure returned the ensuing kick 32 yards out to the 41. Burris then found Williams for a 20-yard gain up the right sideline. A short pass to Williams gained 8 more. Walker’s draw play attempt fooled no one. But then Burris hit Walker on a hitch route that gained 16. After Walker’s next carry gained only 1, Burris was sacked by McCullough and the Ti-Cats settled for a 37-yard field goal by Congi. The Riders started out with great field position to start their next drive at the 52. On second down, Durant escaped a rush and ran up the middle for 8. The Riders elected to go for it from the 50 and Durant hit Sheets coming out of the backfield at the 46. Sheets then carried up the middle for 5. But Durant was heavily rushed on the next play and threw the ball away. Chris Milo then hit a 49-yard field goal and the Riders went up by 10. Giguere returned Milo’s kick back to the 28. Grant picked up 9 on a slot route to the right. Burris’ bootleg right attempt failed to pick up the first down and the Ti-Cats punted out with Moss returning the ball to the 36. Dressler gained 11 on first down on a catch and run at the left sideline. On second down, Sheets gained 38 on a catch over the middle and shifty run. From the 11, Sheets was stacked up at the line for no gain. On third-and-1, the Riders’ backup quarterback, Drew Willy, rushed for a first down. On the next play, Durant found Dressler wide open in the left slot for the touchdown and the Riders went up 33-16 with three seconds left in the third quarter. Walker had a nice return of Milo’s kick out to the 37.

Walker gained 6 on a catch over the middle to open the fourth quarter. Williams then dropped a pass and the Ti-Cats punted out. The punter muffed the snap and the ball rolled back to the 10 where Bartel pooch punted the ball. On first down, Sheets rushed down to the 40. Dressler then took a hitch pass and raced down inside the 20. A fight ensued between Chris Patrick and Crable. Patrick was ejected from the game. Why not Crable? Pat Neufeld took Patrick’s place on the O-Line. Milo then kicked another long field goal to put the Riders ahead, 36-16. Burris brought out the offense in hurry up and was dragged down after a gain of 3. Craig Butler then brilliantly broke up a long pass intended for Stala. The Riders started out at the 27 and Durant hit Harper out to the 45. Durant lost 1 on first down and the Bagg caught a pass short of the first down. Williams’ punt return went backwards with the Ti-Cats taking over at the 20. On first down, Jones took a pass to the left for 1 and then Walker bounced off right tackle for 15. Hamilton moved the ball to midfield, where Fantuz took a pass for five. Abraham Kromah then dropped Burris after a short gain and a third-down pass intended for Fantuz fell short and the Riders took over on downs. On first down, Durant hit Getzlaf down to the 13. From there, Sheets carried around right end and into the end zone and the rout was on at 43-16. The Ti-Cats took over with a minute-plus left on the clock, when Burris hit Giguere at midfield. Coach Chamblin was given a Gatorade bath by his players to commemorate his first CFL victory as a coach. Durant took a knee at midfield and the Riders came away with a convincing win to open the 2012 season.  

Game 2 v. Edmonton Eskimos (7/8/12):

The Riders returned home for the first time in 2012 to face their always-tough rivals, the Edmonton Eskimos. As usual, it was a packed house at Mosaic. The question was whether the team could deliver the same type of performance as they did in Week 1 in Hamilton, where Darian Durant passed for nearly 400 yards. Ricky Ray was traded to Toronto so old hands CFL’ers Stephen Jyles and Kerry Joseph took over as the quarterbacks for the Green n’ Gold.

It was 27⁰/81⁰ at kickoff time on a beautiful sunlit day in the prairies. Edmonton kicked off and Sinorice Moss returned the ball out to the 32. Dressler caught a pass out to the 46 before Edmonton’s Julius Williams flattened Kory Sheets on a rush. A procedure call against the Riders set the ball back 5 yards. On 2^nd and 17, Durant threw a sideline incompletion and so Chris Milo punted out. Once more, Sam Hurl made another great special teams tackle. Stephen Jyles hit Fred Stamps over the middle for 10. On second down Jyles’ pass intended for Stamps was broken up by Eddie Russ. Jyles was then tackled for a short loss and Edmonton’s Dales punted out. On first down, Sheets went off left tackle for 4. Bagg then caught a short pass and stretched out his arms while falling to gain 5 more. On third and inches, the Riders went for the first down using their short yardage package and J.T. O’Sullivan pushed ahead to gain the first down. Durant re-entered and connected with Dressler on the right sideline for 7, but his next pass intended for Bagg was overthrown and Milo punted out. Jyles then hit Stamps in the left flat for a 3 yard gain. Adarius Bowman then caught a pass in traffic for 6 setting up a 3^rd-and 1. The Esks took no chances and Dales punted out. Moss returned the punt to the 33. On first down, Sheets carried up the middle for 6. Durant then avoided a heavy rush but underthrew his receiver on the left sideline and Milo punted away. Starting at the 30, Jyles’ jump pass over the middle was incomplete. His pass on second down was broken up by McKenzie so Dales was back on again to punt away. Moss returned the ball into Edmonton territory but two penalties against the Esks were declined and the Riders took over. Sheets carried twice up the middle for a first down at Edmonton’s 42 but another procedure call against the Riders set the ball back 5 yards. Durant then hit Justin Harper in the right flat for a short gain. Chris Getzlaf then caught a pass over the middle and took a wicked hit from Alexander. Dressler then grabbed a pass and scooted inside the 25 but a holding call on Harper was a costly loss of 10. Harper then dropped a pass as he was falling down. On second and 20, Durant hit Bagg, who carried down to the 23. From there, Milo knocked in a chip shot to give the Riders a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter. Former Rider Hugh Charles picked up a short gain as the first quarter came to a close.

The offense on both sides of the ball wasn’t too hot as the Riders only had 63 yards compared to Edmonton’s 30.  Charles moved the ball to the 48 on the quarter’s first play. Chris McKenzie then came up limping on the next play. On second and 10, Jyles overthrew Coehoorn streaking down the left sideline. Dales hit a perfect coffin corner punt for the single to make it 3-1, Riders. Sewell tackled Durant for an 11-yard loss on first down. But Durant came back to hit Getzlaf in traffic for 21 and another first down. Sheets then grabbed Durant’s shovel pass and moved the ball into Edmonton’s side of the field. Durant couldn’t avoid the rush on the next play and lost 4. Bagg then dropped a pass over the middle and Milo punted out. The ball rolled to the end zone where it was downed for the single (4-1). On first down, Jyles went for it all on first down and overthrew Stamps. The Riders got back the ball back and went two n’ out. On this sequence, Guard Brendon LaBatte went out with a leg injury. Kerry Joseph took over for Jyles on Edmonton’s next series. Charles nearly fumbled away the ball and took a 1 yard loss. On second down, his pass to Shamawd Chambers fell a couple of yards short of the first down so Dales punted out. Starting out at the 7, Durant threw two incomplete balls so Milo was forced to punt from his end zone. A no yards penalty on the Riders during the return pushed the ball to the Rider 37. Charles was ripped down by linebacker Odell Willis on first down. On the next play, a muffed wildcat snap to Charles was recovered by Brent Hawkins and the Riders took over with 3:00 left in the half. The drive went backwards and Dales punted away. A holding call on the return negated a great return by Yamon Figurs. Joseph was then hauled down for a big loss. On the next play, Joseph couldn’t escape a heavy rush and the ball went back inside the 5. Dales elected to dance around and go out of the end zone for a safety to make it 6-1, Riders, with less than a minute remaining in the half. Getzlaf caught a pass over the middle at midfield. Durant then took a heavy hit from Marcus Howard as he threw the ball away at the left sideline. Edmonton got the ball back with :22 but Joseph was sacked by Willis for an 8 yard loss. Joseph let fly one last heave downfield but it was  batted down at the 20 and the half ended with the Riders holding a 6-1 lead.

Edmonton started their opening drive of the second half at the 35. Stephen Jyles took over for Joseph at quarterback. Jyles hit Bowman with a shovel pass over the middle for 13. Charles then gained 7 off left tackle. On second down, a rush up the middle went nowhere and the Esks decided to gamble and go for it on third and 1. The gambit worked as Charles rushed up the middle for9. Jyles was then sacked by George for an 8 yard loss. A pass to Coehoorn fell short of the first down and Grant Shaw attempted a 49-yard field goal that went very far to the right. Dressler returned the kick back out to the 15. On second down, Durant rushed to the right for a first down at the 29. Sheets then carried off left tackle for an 11-yard gain. On second down, Durant raced to the right for a first down at the Edmonton 52. The drive stalled there and Milo punted out. Edmonton took over at the 22 and gained 6 on the first play but Jyles was sacked again by Brent Hawkins. Dressler returned Dales’ punt back into Edmonton territory. Dressler then grabbed a pass in the left flat and ran to the 40. Sheets was then buried by Sherritt with a hard tackle. Chris Milo then attempted a 46-yard field goal that went wide right and the Esks returned the ball out to the 16. Bowman made a nice catch and was given forward progress for a first down. Bowman gained 6 on a catch in traffic on the next play. Jyles then hit Bertrand for a first down. Jyles then rushed to the right for 6 as the quarter came to a close.

From the 45, Jyles’ attempt to Coehoorn fell incomplete. A no-yards call against Edmonton moved the ball out to the 40. Sheets went around left end for 2. Efrem Hill then dropped Durant’s pass over the middle and Milo punted out. The kick went into the end zone and the returner was tackled in the end zone. Coehoorn grabbed a pass from Jyles in the left flat for a first down at the 17. Charles then went off left tackle for a short gain. Jyles’ next pass intended for Bowman fell incomplete but off-setting penalties gave Jyles another bite of the apple. Bowman caught a pass to the right and fumbled the ball backwards but Odell Willis was hit with an unnecessary roughness call that moved the ball ahead 15 yards for Edmonton. Edmonton was then hit with a time-count violation setting up a 2^nd-and -15. Jyles was heavily rushed by the Riders and threw the ball away. Dressler returned Dales’ punt back to the 34. A penalty set the ball back to the 19. On second down, Durant hit Bagg, who was given forward progress for a first down.  Sheets then carried to the left for 4. Durant then hit Dressler for a first down out to the 36. Getzlaf then made a nice leaping catch and rambled up the right sideline for 19 to midfield. After a three-yard loss, Justin Harper’s catch fell short of the first down and Milo punted into the end zone for a single to put the Riders ahead, 7-1. Kerry Joseph came back out at quarterback for Edmonton and was promptly sacked by Shomari Williams for a 5-yard loss. Joseph’s pass to Chambers fell short and Dales punted away. With three minutes left, Dressler’s return moved the ball into Edmonton territory. A face-mask call against Edmonton moved the ball to the 35. Kory Sheets then carried around right end, raced down the right sideline with a burst of speed and carried into the end zone. With the point after the Riders went ahead, 14-1 with 2:12 left on the clock. Sam Hurl then made another fantastic special teams tackle, pinning Edmonton back at the 25. It was desperation time for Edmonton. Joseph’s pass on first down went high and incomplete. On second down, Craig Butler intercepted Joseph’s pass and returned the ball down to the 22. Edmonton’s Bowman suffered a gruesome knee injury on the play. He needed to be carried off the field by his teammates and carted off from the sidelines. It was awful… On second down, Dressler carried around left end for 8, setting up a chip shot field goal to make it 17-1 with 1:33 left.  Joseph’s first pass gained 9, and they elected to go for it on third down, but wound up turning over the ball again on downs. Sheets went off left tackle for 17 down to the 12. Durant then took a knee and the Riders won ugly, but they’re 2-0 nonetheless.

Game 3 v. British Columbia Lions (7/14/12):

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=400615

BC Lions invaded Mosaic on Saturday afternoon the 14^th as the Riders looked to keep their unbeaten streak intact. It was another packed house on a warm, sunny afternoon in Regina. Chris Milo kicked off and the Lions started out at the 35. Travis Lulay led out the Lions’ offense and on the first play, connected with 87 in the right flat for a first down at the 49. On second down, Lulay found Foster on the right flank for a first down. Brown then rushed up the middle for 4. On second down, Arlond Bruce took a pass out of the backfield and scooted around left end for a first down. Hawkins then batted down Lulay’s pass, Lulay then overthrew Geroy Simon setting up a field goal try by Paul McCallum which was good, giving the Lions an early 3-0 lead. On the Riders’ first series, Darian Durant’s pass to Weston Dressler at the left sideline picked up 11. On the following play, a procedure call against the Riders negated a 8-yard gain by Durant, who followed up with a completion to Chris Getzlaf. An offsides call against BC pushed the ball ahead five yards. Kory Sheets then carried off left tackle for a first down.  On second and 10 from the 44, Durant hit Sisco on the left sideline out to BC’s 45. Getzlaf then grabbed a pass on second down and whirled around, diving to the 33. Durant then overthrew Efrem Hill, streaking down the right sideline. Dressler then came out of the backfield to catch a pass, but the gain was negated by an offsides call against Rob Bagg. Durant then carried up the middle on a draw but was tackled short of the first down. Chris Milo then came in and knocked in a field goal to tie the score. The Lions started out at the 41, where Lulay connected with Johnson, who broke a tackle, spun around and raced into the end zone on a 69-yard catch and run. Tristan Jackson returned McCallum’s kick back to the 37. Sheets picked up a quick 5 and then Durant found Bagg in traffic for a first down. Sheets carried up the middle again for 5 more. Durant then hit Hill, who was brought down (by the face mask) by Bell, that moved the ball to BC’s 37. A procedure call against the Riders’ Fulton pushed the ball back to the 42. Sheets then picked a up a short gain but Durant’s next pass intended for Sisco was too high as the first quarter came to a close. On the play, Bagg looked as if he pulled a hamstring muscle and need help getting back to the bench.

BC outgained the Riders 109-66 in the first quarter.  On the opening play of the second, Milo’s field goal attempt went wide right and Brown returned the kick to the 12. BC went two n’ out on that drive and McCallum’s punt only made it to BC’s 34. Sheets carried up the middle for 4 but Durant’s pass intended for Bagg was overthrown. Milo’s field goal attempt from the 34 went straight through the uprights and it was now a 10-6 game. On first down from the 35, Harris carried right for 11. A procedure call against BC pushed the ball back to the 40. Lulay couldn’t escape a heavy rush and Shouligan dragged him down for a 4-yard loss. Craig Butler then stepped up and intercepted Lulay’s next pass and returned the ball to the right down to the 35. On the next play, Durant found Dressler on the right side of the end zone and Dressler made a nice catch while falling down for the touchdown.  BC challenged the ruling on the field and it was ruled that Dressler did not have possession but that a BC defender interfered with Dressler on the play and the ball was placed on the 1 yard line. J.T. O’Sullvan came in with the short yardage package and the Lions stuffed the quarterback sneak short of the goal line. But on second down, Sheets leaped over right guard and landed in the end zone. With Milo’s point after, the Riders went up 13-10. On second and 13, Lulay hit Simon on a post-in route at the 50. Andrew Harris then carried off left tackle for 7. Harris then carried again but fell short of the first down. After rushing ahead to pick up the first down, Lulay’s second down pass intended for Simon at the left sideline was overthrown.  McCallum’s punt went out of bounds at the 8. After the three-minute warning, Durant hit Getzlaf in the right flat and Getzlaf scooted for a first down. Sheets then carried up the middle for 3. Durant then found a wide-open Sisco for a 34-yard pickup. On the next play, Dressler swung out of the backfield and grabbed a pass for three but Durant threw away the ball in the face of a rush on second down and Milo punted away. The ball bounced out of bounds at the 13 with a minute left in the half. On first down, Jackson caught a sideline pass and rolled out of bounds after a 9 yard gain. Lulay then connected with Jackson again at the 28 and then went back to Simon for 7. On second down, Simon caught a pass over the middle for a first down. Lulay then connected with Bruce for 7 more at the 54. Harris then picked up another first down on a pass out of the backfield but there were only 9 seconds left. McCallum then came on and knocked in a game-tying field goal as time expired in the half.  

The Riders opened the second half with the ball on the 30. After a completion to Dressler and a rush by Sheets, Durant’s long pass intended for Hill was dropped. On second down, a holding call against the Riders was declined and Milo punted out. Brown gained 6 on first down and then Harvard’s Own, Marco Ianuzzi, grabbed a pass and scrambled to midfield. Harris then carried to the left for 8. On the play, Harris fumbled but it was ruled that he was down. Coach Chamblin challenged the ruling. He was still standing when the ball popped out but somehow the call was upheld. McCallum then attempted a 45-yard kick that went wide left and Tristan Jackson had a great return, moving the ball out to midfield. Sheets carried for 6 up the middle on a draw. Getzlaf then snagged a pass over the middle in traffic for a first down at the 40. Durant was then sacked by Keron Williams for a seven-yard loss. BC’s Reddick was injured on the play.  On second-and-7, Dressler grabbed a pass in the left flat at the 28 for a first down. The drive stalled there and Milo kicked a 35-yarder to put the Riders ahead, 16-13. Harris then took a pass out of the backfield and rolled to the right up to the 46. Lulay’s next pass was tipped by Odell Willis and fell incomplete. On second down, Lulay escaped a rush and scrambled ahead for 15 yards. Harris then fought ahead for 5 more. Simon took a pass at the left sideline for another first down at the 36. Lulay then attempted to connect with Simon at the 10 but his pass was overthrown.

  

Moving into the fourth quarter, McCallum’s 40-yard field goal attempt to tie went wide left. Tristan Jackson took the kick 19 yards deep in the end zone, juked to the left, then made his way up the right sideline all the way to the house! A 129-yard return and Mosaic exploded. Lulay With the point after, Riders went up 23-13. On first down, Lulay hit Jackson, who made his way to the Riders’ 52. After a shovel pass went awry, Harris was dragged down by Odell Willis on a draw play that gained only 2. McCallum’s coffin corner punt was perfect and bounced out of bounds at the 2. Starting out with their backs to the wall, Durant hit Bagg, who scooted up to the 10. Sheets then carried to the 15, fumbled and the Lions recovered. Coach Chamblin challenged the ruling on the field. It appeared as though Sheets’ shoulder hit the turf before the ball popped out.  After review, it was ruled that Sheets was down and the Riders maintained possession. Durant escaped a rush and completed a short pass to Louis Rankin for 5. Durant’s quick hitter intended for Dressler hit the turf. The Riders were hit with a no-yards call on Milo’s punt, which placed the ball at the 34 and 10 minutes left on the clock. The Riders put a heavy rush on Lulay, who threw the ball away. Lulay then overthrew Bruce and McCallum punted away. Jackson returned the ball back to the 38. Durant then rolled to the right, gained 5 and took a wicked hit from Banks at the sideline. After Milo’s punt, BC took over at their 25. On first down, Lulay escaped a rush and ran upfield all the way to the Riders’ 42. On second down, Ianuzzi made a great catch on the right sideline at the 19. Harris then carried around right end down to the 7. On second-and-goal, Lulay found Ianuzzi over the middle and Harvard’s Own tumbled into the end zone and suddenly it was 23-20 with 3:30 remaining in the game. The Riders started out their next drive at the 25. Sheets carried up the middle for 8 at the three-minute warning.  Sheets then pushed ahead for the first down as tempers began to flare on both sides of the ball. Sheets then ripped off a 13-yard gain and Hill caught a pass for 11 as the clock began to wind down inside two minutes. Sheets then carried up the middle for 7.  Milo then attempted a long field goal that fell short and Brown returned the ball back to the 15. Ianuzzi picked up 9 on a pass in the right flat. Harris then picked up a first down, rolling out of bounds at the right sideline. With 32 seconds left, Lulay’s pass intended for Simon was broken up. On third-and-10, Lulay’s desperation pass was intercepted by Eddie Russ and that was that. Durant took a knee and the Riders came away with a thrilling 23-20 win to remain unbeaten.

Game 4 at Calgary Stampeders (7/14/12):

http://www.cfl.ca/article/wild-west-stamps-win-ot-thriller

The Riders’ unbeaten streak came to an end after a heartbreaking 41-38 overtime loss at McMahon Stadium in Calgary against the Stampeders.  The Stamps came back from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter led by quarterback Kevin Glenn to post the win in OT.

Rene Parades gave the Stamps an early 3-0 lead after banging in a 46-yard field goal. Late in the first quarter, the Riders’ Jacques Sanders ripped for a 28-yard gain, setting up Kory Sheets’ two yard touchdown run to put Saskatchewan ahead, 7-3. The Stamps went back ahead 10-7 after Glenn hit Nik Lewis for a 6-yard touchdown catch. On the Riders’ next possession, Darian Durant scrambled for 20 and then Kory Sheets streaked down the left sideline for a 48-yard gain down to the 2. From there, Drew Willy came in with the short-yardage package and connected with Neal Hughes in the end zone and the Riders a 14-10 lead with eight minutes left in the half.


Larry Taylor had a great kick return that set up 37-yard field goal from Paredes to make it 14-13. The Riders went two n’ out on their next drive but Chris Milo missed the snap, the ball rolled into the end zone and Milo conceded a safety. Late in the half, the Riders next drive stalled but the Stamps’ Torrey Davis was hit with a penalty for unnecessary roughness, and the Riders got another life. Durant then hit Weston Dressler on a flag route, and Riders had a 21-15 lead at halftime.

Tristan Jackson returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a 63 yards. Durant quickly found Dressler on a spectacular 20-yard touchdown catch and the Riders were ahead, 28-15. On Calgary’s next drive, Paredes banged in a 44 yarder to make it 28-18. Moving into the fourth quarter, Sheets leaped into the end zone to extend the lead to 35-18.The Stamps quickly made it 35-25 when Glenn connected with Lewis on a 21-yard touchdown pass.

On the Riders’ ensuing drive, with Durant was intercepted by linebacker Malik Jackson on a pass over the middle, giving Calgary excellent field position down by 10 points. Glenn took the Stamps downfield and hit Larry Taylor for a 20 yard touchdown pass, to make it 35-32. The Riders’ next drive stalled but Taylor fumbled Milo’s punt and the Riders recovered. Durant led the Riders into field goal range but Calgary’s Charleston Hughes sacked Durant on second down and Milo had to punt away. With 1:40 left on the clock, the Stamps started out at the 17. Glenn quickly picked up two first downs on passes to Johnny Forzani and Chris Bauman. Glenn then hit Romby Bryant for a 32-yard gain. On the play, Glenn was injured and rookie Bo Levi Mitchell entered the game. Mitchell led the Stamps’ offense into field goal range and Paredes’ hit the upright on his attempt, but it bounced in to tie the game 35-35. On the Riders’ final drive of the quarter, Durant found Dressler wide open Dressler dropped the pass.

The game then went into overtime, with the Riders having the first crack to score. Durant was sacked on second down by Chris McCoy, but Milo kicked a 50-yard field goal to put the Riders up 38-35. On the Stamps’ ensuing drive, Glenn picked apart the Riders’ secondary. Movin g the all into Riders’ territory, Glenn connected with Bryant for 19 yards to Romby Bryant, On the next play from the 16, Glenn found Lewis in the end zone for the game winning touchdown and the partisan crowd at McMahon erupted with joy. So, the Riders unbeaten streak came to a screeching halt but they still held onto first place in CFL West.

Game 5 v. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7/28/12):

The Riders looked to get back on the winning track as it was a sunny and spectacular day at Mosaic (82°F/28°C) and the sold-out crowd roared their approval as the Riders charged out on the field. The Ti-Cats are in first place and this game marked the return of former Rider hero Andy Fantuz to Regina.

The Riders won the toss and elected to receive. Former Rider Luca Congi kicked off and Tristan Jackson had a great return, taking the ball up to the 48. Efrem Hill grabbed a pass in the left flat for a first down at midfield at the 47. On the next play, Weston Dressler took a pass from Darian Durant down to the 31. Dressler then gain 8 more on a pass over the middle Kory Sheets then carried up the middle for a first down to the 18.  Hill then took a pass at the left sideline at the 10, setting up a third-and-2. Drew Willy then came in with the short yardage package and dove ahead for the first down. After Durant threw an incompletion, his next pass intended for Hill was caught at the 2. On this and goal, Sheets dove over right guard for the touchdown to give the Riders an early 7-0 lead. On first down from the 35, Henry Burris led the Ti-Cats offense. On second and 7, Fantuz made a terrific leaping catch for a first down up near midfield. On second and 10, Burris scrambled up the middle for 8. Quentin Porter came in with the short yardage package and rushed ahead for the first down at the 46. Chauvon Walker then caught a pass over the middle for 6. Burris then completed a pass by Jones for the first down at the 31. On second down, Walker then rushed for 5 setting up a 32-yard field goal by Congi to make it 7-3. Jackson then had another great return up the middle to midfield. On first down, Durant rolled right and his pass was intercepted by Bo Smith at the 35. On first down, Jackson was injured trying to defend a long pass attempt intended for Sam Giguere. Jackson appeared to have pulled a hamstring and was replaced by Paul Woldu. Burris’ next pass intended for Dave Stala was incomplete and Hamilton’s Josh Bartel punted out. On second down, Durant’s pass to Sheets fell short of the first down. From the 22, Walker rushed for 7. Burris then found Fantuz over the middle and Fantuz carried up to the 53. Walker then carried again for 8 as the quarter came to a close.

The Ti-Cats opened the second quarter at the Riders’ 49. Burris’ pass was broken up by Nick Grant. Bartel’s punt went into the end zone for the single. Durant’s pass intended for Hill at the right sideline was overthrown. On second down, Durant’s pass intended for Dressler went over Dressler’s head. Milo’s punt and Chris Williams was tackled at the 37. A penalty against Hamilton set the ball back 10 yards. On first down, Walker gained only 1. On second down, Burris overthrew Onrea Jones and Bartel punted out. From the 21, Sheets ripped up the middle for 15. Durant then hit Getzlaf in traffic for a first down. Dressler then caught a pass over the middle down to the 45.  Dressler then caught another pass at the right sideline and fell out of bounds at the 28. Durant went for the downs and threw a long pass to Getzlaf, who dropped the ball in the end zone. Durant was then sacked by Brandon Boudreaux, setting up a 47-yard field goal by Milo, to put the Riders ahead, 10-4.  Giguere returned the kick back to the 44. Burris connected with Williams for 7. Walker then carried off left tackle for a first down. Jones then stooped down to catch a pass at the 30.  Burris then scrambled ahead for a first down at the 19. Walker then caught a pass out of the backfield for 9. A holding call against Hamilton’s O’Neill set the ball back to the 21. Burris then threw into the end zone was knocked down by Chris McKenzie. Congi then kicked a 27-yard field goal to make it 10-7. From the 38, Durant scrambled up the middle on second down up to the 45. After the three minute warning, Durant rolled left and stepped out of bounds for 9. Sheets then carried up the middle for a first down at the 51. Durant then found Getzlaf in the right flat and Getzlaf ran out of bounds at the 25. On second and 9, Durant connected with Terrence Jeffers-Harris for an 18-yard gain.   After Durant threw two bad passes, Milo knocked in a chip shot to put the Riders ahead, 13-7 with 1:16 left in the half. Giguere returned Milo’s kick to the 39. Walker then broke a couple of tackles and rolled left for 15. Burris was then sacked by Brent Hawkins. Giguere then grabbed a pass on the right sideline short of the first down at the 52 and Bartel punted out. Durant took a knee and the sides went to their locker rooms with the Riders holding a six point lead.

Hamilton opened the second half with the ball at the 21. Walker was pushed backwards after a 1-yard gain. Burris pass on second down was underthrown and Bartel punted out. Jacques Sanders was hauled down at the 41, after a six-yard return. Dressler caught a pass at the right sideline for 9 and then Sheets carried up the middle for 3. From the 54, Durant overthrew Dressler streaking down the right sideline. Sheets then grabbed a pass out of the backfield and carried down to the 33. On second and 8, Durant’s pass intended for Dressler was knocked away by Webb. Milo’s 39-yard field goal attempt went wide left but carried out of the end zone for the single. Burris connected with Jones for 12 and then Walker caught a pass out of the backfield for 12 more. Burris then completed two more short passes, moving the ball down to the 31. Stala then caught a pass at the 20. Chris Williams then took a short pass over the middle, broke a couple of tackles and rolled into the end zone to tie the score at 14. Sanders returned the kick up to the 36. On first down, Durant hit a wide open Taj Smith, who streaked 74 yards down the right sideline for the go-ahead touchdown. It was Smith’s first CFL catch. Milo’s kick was downed in the end zone for a single, putting the Riders ahead, 22-14. Burris attempted a long pass on first down that was overthrown. Burris’ next pass to Jones was complete, but Tyron Brackinridge made a nice tackle and the Ti-Cats went two n’ out. A no-yards penalty on the punt was declined. From the 45, Dressler gained 6. On the next play, Hill caught a pass in the left flat and raced to the 35. On second and 7, Durant rolled right and scrambled ahead, sliding for a 9-yard gain. On third-and-1, Milo came on and kicked a field goal to put the Riders ahead by 11. Giguere was hauled down at the 22. Burris’ pass over the middle intended for Fantuz was broken up by Kromah. The Riders started out their next drive at the 46. Dressler took a pass on a slant route right and raced down to the Hamilton 35. The Ti-Cats were hit with an unnecessary roughness call that moved the ball to the 20. From there, Durant rolled left and hit Sanders, who rolled into the end zone to put the Riders ahead, 32-14 as the quarter came to a close.

Milo’s kick went into the end zone for the single to open the fourth quarter. Burris’ pass to Williams went for 6.  A procedure call on Hamilton on second down pushed the ball back 5 yards. Burris then threw a long completion to Giguere, who carried to the 22. A roughing the passer call moved the ball to the Riders’ 11. On first down, a holding call put the ball back to the 21. Darryl Stephenson then caught a pass down to the 10. From there, Burris found a wide open Jones in the right flat and Jones waltzed untouched into the end zone with 11:56 left in the quarter. Sanders had a nice return of the kickoff, moving the ball up to the 41. Dressler caught a pass out of the backfield for a 6-yard gain. Durant was then sacked, fumbled the ball and Hamilton’s Williams recovered, taking the ball to the 23. On second down, Burris found Stala wide open in the left corner of the end zone to make it 33-28. The Ti-Cats scored 14 points in less than two minutes as this was shades of what occurred last week in Calgary. There was now 9:23 remaining in the quarter. Sanders returned the kick up to the 28. Durant’s first down pass intended for Getzlaf at the left sideline was incomplete. Durant’s next pass was complete to Jeffers-Harris but fell 2 yards short of the first down. Sam Hurl then made yet another great special-teams tackle on Milo’s punt. Williams gained 13 on a pass from Burris. From the 36, Williams gained another 11 as he broke a couple of tackles. Jones then made a great catch in traffic down to the 45. Giguere then picked up 11 on a pass at the right sideline. Williams then caught another pass over the middle down to the 17. Burris then scrambled up the middle, diving down at the 5. On second-and-goal, Burris’ pass intended for Giguere in the right corner fell short. The Ti-Cats elected to go for it in third down and Burris found Jones in the left corner of the end zone for the touchdown, putting the Ti-Cats ahead, 35-33 with 2:52 remaining. Chris McKenzie got turned inside out on the play. With Burris’ 4^th touchdown pass, he passed Doug Flutie for 6^th all-time in CFL history. The Riders started out their next drive at the 35. Getzlaf gained 12 on a slant-in route. Dressler then gained 9 when he caught a pass in traffic. Taj Smith suffered a leg cramp on the play and had to come out of the game. From the 54, Sheets carried up the middle for a first down. Jordan Sisco then gained 8 on a pass out of the backfield. Durant’s next pass was broken up and, on third-and-2, Milo attempted a 47-yarder that went wide right. The kick went out of the end zone for the single. With 1:25 left on the clock, Walker rolled right for 6. Bartel punted out and Sanders returned the ball to the 43 with 45 seconds left. Durant threw two incompletions, leaving a desperation 3^rd-and 10. Durant’s pass intended for Getzlaf fell short and Hamilton took over on downs. And the Riders melted down in the fourth quarter for the second straight week and Hamilton came away with a 35-34 victory.

Game 6 at Edmonton Eskimos (8/10/12)

After a bye week, the Riders looked to get back on the winning track with a date against Edmonton at Commonwealth Stadium. Edmonton kicked off to start the game on a clear, cool 23°C evening at the Stadium. Tristan Jackson returned the ball to the 33 but an off-sides call on the Esks forced a re-kick. This time, Kory Sheets returned the ball out to the 25, where he was gang-tackled. On first down, Jock Sanders gained four on a quick hitter out of the backfield. Sanders then picked up 10 more on another swing pass. Sheets gained 10 more off right tackle and gained yet another first down on a pass out of the backfield to the 45. A procedure call against the Riders set the ball back five yards. Sheets then gained 14 on a shovel pass from Darian Durant to the 32. Sheets then pushed the ball inside the 20. On second down, Durant’s pass intended for Chris Getzlaf was overthrown so the Riders had to settle for a Chip shot field goal from Sandro DeAngelis to give the Riders the early 3-0 lead. Stephen Jyles then brought out the Edmonton offense at the 35. Two penalties against the Esks quickly put them in a 2^nd-and-19 hole. The Riders were then called for off-sides and Jyles’ pass to Coehoorn was short of the first down but Brent Hawkins was called for roughing the passer. At midfield, Hugh Charles broke off right tackle down to the 31. Carr then caught a pass at the right sideline at the 17. On second down, Jyles long strike into the end zone intended for Koch was incomplete so Edmonton settled for a long field goal by Grant Shaw to tie the score with about four minutes remaining in the quarter. From the 35, Sheets picked up three off left tackle. Durant then connected with Terence Jeffers-Harris over the middle at midfield. On second down, Durant was sacked by Williams and the Riders punted away. Koch returned the ball back to the 25. Moving into the final minute of the quarter, Jyles found Coehoorn in the left flat wide open and Coehoorn gained 49 yards. Fred Stamps then moved the ball inside the 30 with a short gain.

From the 18, Jyles was sacked by Shomari Williams on first down for a 7-yard loss. Another penalty against Edmonton moved the ball back to the 30 but Jyles found Koch streaking down the right sideline and Koch made a nice catch in traffic for the touchdown. With the point after, Edmonton went ahead, 10-3. Jackson returned the kick back to the 30, where Durant set up shop. After a short gain by Sheets, a time clock violation against the Riders set the ball back 5 yards. Sheets then grabbed another shovel pass but was tackled well short of the first down and Chris Milo punted  out. Charles was ripped down by Brackinridge on first down for a 2 yard loss, but Jyles came right back to hit Coehoorn, who made  a nice leaping catch for the first down at midfield. After a three-yard gain, Jyles hit Koch over the middle for another first down but a penalty call negated the gain. Jyles’ next pass intended for Stamps went wide at the left sideline so Burke Dales punted out with Jackson being forced out of bounds at the 20. Taj Smith gained 9 on a hitch pass and then Sheets broke through the middle of the line out to the 45. Sheets then gained 7 more on a rush off right tackle. Smith then caught a pass over the middle for the first down at midfield. Sheets then rolled off left tackle for six but a 15-yard penalty against the Riders set them back to the 40. After Milo punted out, Koch returned the kick back to the 40. This time, Kerry Joseph led Edmonton’s offense.  After two short rushes by Charles, the Esks punted out. Jackson was hauled down at the 18. Getzlaf snagged a pass and dove up to the 32. Weston Dressler then picked up 8 more on a swing pass. On second down and 2, Sheets was stopped cold at the line by Ted Laurent. Drew Willy then came in with the short yardage package and fell forward for the first down. On the next play, Durant’s pass to Dressler was fumbled. Taj Smith picked the ball in the air and he streaked down the right sideline, getting pushed out of bounds at the 17. Getzlaf then caught a pass and stretched forward to the 3. Sheets then dove over the middle and fumbled into the end zone. It was ruled that he was downed by contact. Edmonton challenged the ruling on the field. After review, it was determined that Sheets was down by contact. On second-and-goal from the 1, Willy came in and pushed ahead for the touchdown. With DeAngelis kick, the Riders tied the score at 10 with 16 seconds remaining. Edmonton started out their next drive at the 31. Joseph attempted one long shot but was sacked by Willis. After a long heave, the teams went in tied 10 apiece.

Moving into the third quarter, Jyles returned a quarterback for Edmonton. They moved the ball to the 46 before running out of gas and Dales punted out. Sheets picked up three and then Jeffers-Harris caught a pass in the right flat for a first down. On the play, an Edmonton player was hurt and required medical attention. An ambulance came on the field and the player was removed by stretcher. A lengthy delay followed as the crowd and players looked on in silence. From the 53, Sheets carried right, then spun around and broke a couple of tackles for a first down at the 40. After an 8-yard gain, Sheets dove ahead for another first down. On second down from the 27, Durant kept on the quarterback draw and rushed straight ahead and into the end zone to put the Riders ahead, 17-10. On the play Picard suffered a leg injury.  On Edmonton’s ensuing drive, Jyles connected with Stamps over the middle for a first down. Charles then carried off right tackle for 16. Jyles then completed a long pass to Carter down to the Riders’ 5. Charles was then stuffed at the line of scrimmage. From the 10, Jyles threw an incompletion into the end zone, so Grant Shaw kicked a chip shot field goal to make it 17-13. On first down, Durant then completed a pass to Dressler, who fumbled. Burnett picked up the loose ball and raced about 45 yards into the end zone to give Edmonton a 20-17 lead. A holding call on the ensuing return set the ball back to the 16. Sheets was buried after a short gain by the right side of Edmonton’s line. Durant then hit Getzlaf over the middle but a penalty negated the gain. Durant then found Dressler wide open down the right sideline and Dressler streaked to the 45. The drive stalled there and Milo punted away.  On first down from the 30, Charles broke a long gainer up the middle as the quarter came to an end.

Stamps moved the ball into Riders’ territory with a catch to open the fourth quarter, but the drive ran out of steam there and Dales punted out. The ball went into the end zone and the Riders conceded the single to make it 21-17. Durant hit Sisco at the right sideline but Edmonton challenged the ruling on the field claiming that Durant crossed the line of scrimmage before passing the ball. After review, it was determined that Durant crossed the line of scrimmage and a 10-yard penalty was assessed to the Riders, putting the ball at the 25. Durant then completed a pass to Dressler for 8 and an off-sides call to Edmonton moved the ball ahead for 5 more. Williams then sacked Durant for a big loss. Durant’s pass to Sisco then fell well short of the first down. On first down, Jyles rolled left for a first down at midfield. After a penalty against Edmonton pushed the ball back to the 50, Fred Stamps made an amazing leaping catch over his right shoulder down to the 26. After Collins gained 9 on a catch and run, Joseph fell forward for the first down at the 16. Stamps made another terrific catch while falling down, good for 9. Charles then stumbled forward for no gain but McCarty then bashed his way into the end zone from the 6 to give the Eskimos a 28-17 lead midway through the quarter. On second down from the 29, Durant hit Sheets on what appeared to be an ordinary swing pass out of the backfield. Sheets then cut across the middle and rambled down the right sideline, getting pushed out of bounds at the 5. On first down, Durant’s pass to Dressler in the end zone was ruled out of bounds. Durant’s next pass into the end zone intended for Getzlaf was batted away. So, DeAngelis knocked in a chip shot from a sharp angle to make it 28-20 with 3:46 remaining. After the three minute warning, Edmonton went two n’ out and the Riders got the ball back with two minutes and change left on the clock. Durant threw a series of desperation passes to Dressler as they moved the ball out to the 35. But Durant threw into traffic one time too many and his pass was intercepted by Sherritt. With 1:40 and ticking, Jyles decided to stick to the ground but Edmonton went two n’ out after taking 30 seconds off the clock. After a great punt, the Riders started out at their 2 with a minute left. Sheets carried twice out to the 15, before Durant was nearly picked off again by Burnett. Durant was able to move the ball out near midfield on a series of short passes, but the clock was winding down. With 10 seconds left, Durant wildly overthrew one receiver but Williams was nailed with a roughing the passer call after having ripped off Durant’s helmet.  Durant attempted one long bomb into the end zone but his pass was intercepted and the game ended.

Game 7 at British Columbia Lions (8/19/12):

Having lost three in a row (all in the last three minutes), the Riders traveled to Vancouver for a date with the 4-2 Lions at BC Place. The roof was open and first place in the Western Division was on the line. BC Place is a spectacular venue. It was 22°C with cloudy skies at kickoff. BC won the toss and Sandro DeAngelis kicked off for the Riders. It was a short kick as the Riders attempted an on sides kick to start things but BC took possession. Starting at the 54, Travis Lulay was dragged down from behind by Odell Willis and fumbled. Brent Hawkins recovered and rumbled down to the 42. Jock Sanders rushed up the middle and then Kory Sheets gained only 1. On 3^rd and 1, the Riders went for it as Drew Willy came in with the short yardage package and bulled ahead for the 1^st down. On second-and-10, the Riders were hit with a procedure call that pushed the ball back to the 35. Weston Dressler grabbed a pass out of the backfield, setting up a field goal from DeAngelis to give the Riders an early 3-0 lead.  Chris Milo then kicked off for the Riders and Brown returned the kick to the 35. Lulay was pressured on first down and found Andrew Harris in the right flat and Harris scrambled ahead for 9. On the play, a Riders’ player appeared to suffer a leg injury and needed help getting off the field. From the 48, Geroy Simon grabbed a pass but was gang-tackled at the 53. Lulay’s pass attempt to Paris Jackson was ruled out of bounds so the ageless Paul McCallum punted out. On first down, Dressler gained 7 on a pass out of the backfield and then BC’s Cory Banks was flagged for a face mask call. From the 51, Darian Durant connected with Sanders over the middle but it appeared as though Sanders did not have complete possession. BC challenged the ruling on the field.  After review, the ruling on the field stood. Sheets then rushed up the field for 5. Durant then found Efrem Hill over the middle for a first down inside the 40. Jordan Cisco then gained 9 on a pass at the right sideline. The short yardage crew came in with Willy and easily picked up the first down. Sheets was then hauled down by Banks coming off the edge for a 2-yard loss. Durant’s next pass was overthrown and picked off by Cauchy Muamba, who returned the ball back to the 14. It was yet another inaccurate pass by Durant and the Riders paid the price. Lulay hit Simon on second down out to the 28. Lulay was then hauled down by Willis for no gain and McCallum punted away. Tristan Jackson was tackled at the 39. In the final minute of the quarter, Taj Smith grabbed a pass out of the backfield and raced to midfield. On the final play of the quarter, Durant was nearly picked off again.

The Riders opened up the second quarter with the ball at midfield facing a second-and-10. The Riders outgained BC 74-35 in the first quarter. BC put a heavy rush on Durant and he threw the ball away. BC started out at the 19. Harris picked up 8. A roughing the kicker call against the Riders gave BC another life and they were able to move the ball to midfield. Rolly Lumbala then gained 9. Gore then picked up a first down to the 29. Gore then grabbed another pass from Lulay and raced to the 19. A roughing the passer call against Hawkins pushed the ball inside the 10. Lulay was rushed heavily on first down and threw the ball away. Lulay then raced off right tackle down to the 2 setting up a third-and-1. BC’s Mike Reilly came in with the short yardage package and was stoned cold by the Riders’ front seven. From the 2, Durant faked a handoff and rolled right for a 13-yard gain. Chris Getzlaf then took a pass over the middle and banged ahead out to the 28. Smith then took a pass in the left flat, scampered across the middle and gained 15. Smith then took another pass in the right flat for 6. Sheets then ripped up the middle for another first down as the three-minute warning sounded. Sheets then took a pass out of the backfield and raced to the right for 15. On second down, Durant escaped a heavy rush and overthrew Smith in the end zone. DeAngelis’ 48-yard attempt went wide right and Tim Brown grabbed the kick and raced up the middle for 50 yards before getting hauled down with a horse-collar tackle. BC started out at the 34 and Lulay scrambled right and slid for a 9-yard gain. Harris then banged ahead to the 21. Lulay’s shot into the end zone intended for Simon fell just short. Woodney Turrene made a nice play in coverage. On second down, Willis was caught again roughing the passer as Lulay threw the ball into the turf. Simon then caught a pass and Chris McKenzie ripped him down at the 5. Lulay then evaded a heavy rush and rushed left into the end zone with 18 seconds left to give BC a 7-3 lead. McCallum’s squib kick was taken by Sheets and he ran ahead to the 50. After a short completion to Sheets, Durant threw a short pass to Dressler and that’s how the first half ended.

Tristan Jackson returned the opening kick of the second half out to the 35. Taj Smith took a pass on the right sideline for a short gain. Getzlaf was then drilled and dropped a pass so Milo punted out. Lulay led BC’s offense at the 34 and was sacked by Tearrius George for a 12-yard loss. Jackson made a nice catch over the middle as Lulay was heavily rushed but Jackson was tackled short of the first down. From the 50, Durant was sacked by Derek Taylor for an 8-yard loss. Durant’s quick hitter picked up nothing so it was another two n’ out and Milo punt away. On second and 5 from the 35, Jackson grabbed a pass in the right flat and gained 7. Harris then took a direct snap on the wildcat and gained 3. Lulay’s pass to Simon fell short of the first down so McCallum punted away. Jackson returned the punt back to the 25. On first down, Durant looped a short pass over the BC defenders and gained 22. Sheets then rushed up the middle for 5 and came up limping. From the 53, Daunte Marsh picked off Durant’s pass in the left flat and raced down to the 19.  That was another bad pass by Durant. Coach Chamblin was seen reaming out Durant on the bench. Harris then stole a pass in the end zone for the touchdown but an off-sides call against BC negated the play. Harris was alone in the  right corner and turned around to grab the ball while falling. It was the play of the game only to be wasted. The play was reviewed by the referees to determine whether the pass was complete. After review, the pass was ruled incomplete. McCallum then came in and knocked in a 41-yard field goal to put BC ahead, 10-3. Jackson was tripped up at the 34. Sheets then had a nice cutback run and gained 8. Sheets then picked up the first down on an option left. Durant was then sacked by Keron Williams for a six-yard loss. Sheets then picked a pass and raced ahead but was tackled three yards short of the first down. Arland Bruce then took a pass at the right sideline and gained 28 to midfield. On the next play, Lulay found Bruce wide open streaking down the right sideline and Bruce caught the ball without breaking stride and coasted into the end zone to make it 17-3, Lions. Someone in the Riders’ secondary was burned on that play. That was definitely not one of the Riders’ better quarters.

Moving into the fourth quarter, Sanders picked up 7 on a pass out of the backfield. Durant’s pass intended for Dressler was incomplete but Marsh was flagged for pass interference. Durant’s next pass was completed to Sanders for 9 at the BC 46. Sheets then rushed up the middle but was stuffed by Adam Bighill short of the first down. Willy came in and handed off to Sheets, who dove over the top of the pile and the referees needed to measure and he fell short of the first down by six inches. Coach Chamblin challenged the spot of the ball but the ruling on the field stood after review. BC moved the ball to the 54, where Harvard’s Own Marco Ianuzzi took a pass from Lulay in the right flat, broke a couple of tackles and moved forward for a first down at the 43. Lulay’s pass to Curtis Jackson fell just short of the first down. Reilly came in with the short yardage package but an off-sides call on the Riders made it a moot point. Harris then gained 4 on a sweep left. Bruce then took a pass and moved down the 16. Jackson then took a pass and rolled to the left all the way into the end zone to make it 24-3.  Jacson then returned the ensuing kickoff to the 45. Durant’s first pass was intercepted by Muamba, who returned the ball down to the 43. Harris then gained 11 on a pass out of the backfield. Lulay then scrambled ahead and slid for a first down inside the 20 but a holding penalty against the Lions negated the gain. McCallum then punted out as the three-minute warning. Durant was then benched in favor of Willy. Dressler picked up 1 on a pass out of the backfield. The Riders ended up punting out and BC took over at thw 25. McCallum then conceded a safety to make 24-5. The Riders took possession for one last chance in garbage time, but it was way too late to salvage anything out of this one. The final score was BC 24, the last-place Riders 5.

Game 8 v. Calgary Stampeders (8/25/12):

The 3-4 Riders looked to rebound from a four-game losing streak as they faced Calgary on a Saturday afternoon at Mosaic. The Riders came out resplendent in green jerseys and pants before another sellout crowd. It was 20 degrees C with a heavy and wild wind (65km/hr,) at kickoff,

The Riders won the toss and elected to defer to the second half and the Stamps started out their opening drive at the 42. Kerry Glenn brought out Calgary’s offense and Jon Cornish rushed up the middle for six on his first carry and then rushed around left end for a first down. On second down at midfield, Glenn hit Nik Lewis over the middle for a first down at the Riders’ 34. On second down, Joe West grabbed a pass in the left corner of the end zone for a touchdown to give the Stamps an early 7-0 lead. Tristan Jackson returned the ensuing kickoff back to the 34. On first down, Kory Sheets went off left tackle for a 32-yard gain. Darian Durant then scrambled ahead for 4 to Calgary’s 40. On second and 1, Sheets was stopped short of the first down. Drew Willy came in with the short yardage package and pushed ahead for the first down. After an incompletion, Durant threw one into the turf and Chris Milo punted out. The Stamps started out their next drive at the 6. On second down, West grabbed a pass from Glenn and scooted for a 17-yard gain. Cornish then banged ahead for 7 and again for a first down out to the 43. Romby Bryant then hauled in a pass out to midfield. Cornish then rushed up the middle as the Stamps were cutting through the Riders’ D like a knife. Cornish then went off left tackle to the 20. On the next play, Glenn connected with Bryant over the middle and cut across the field and into the end zone to make it 14-0. Jackson made a bad decision by returning the ensuing kick and getting dragged down at the 5. Coach Chamblin was furious with the defense on the sideline. On second-and-7, Durant scooted ahead up the left sideline to the 26. Sheets then rushed up the middle for 12. Sheets carried up the middle on the option for 5 to the 45. Durant then escaped a rush and scrambled ahead for 4. On third and 1, Willy came back in and fell forward on second effort for the first down.

The Riders opened the second quarter with the wind at their backs at the 52. Durant was then hauled down by Bennett for a 4-yard loss. On second down, Durant then rushed up the middle for a 22-yard gain to Calgary’s 41. Durant pass intended for Taj Smith went through Smith’s hands and then his next pass intended for Chris Getzlaf was overthrown. Sandro DeAngelis’ 48-yard field goal attempt went wide right and the Stamps then took over at the 23. Cornish banged ahead for 5 on first down. Cornish then broke a couple of tackles at the line to gain 7 more. Cornish again pushed ahead for 8 more. An off-sides call against the Riders’ Tearrius George gave Calgary another first down to the 47. Matt Walter then gained 4 up the middle. Glenn then connected with West but Turrine dragged him down short of the first down. After a short punt into the wind, the Riders took over at the 51. On second down, Getzlaf dropped a pass that was right in his hands and Milo then punted out. Cornish took the direct snap and rushed around right end for a first down to go over 100 rushing yards so far. Bryant then grabbed a pass at the right sideline and walked a tightrope just short of the first down. On the play, Odell Willis was hit with a roughing the passer penalty that moved the ball 15 yards further downfield. Cornish then carried two more times for another first down but a holding call negated the second gain. On second-and-14 from the 46, Glenn’s pass intended for Lewis hit the turf so Dales punted out with Jackson returning the kick out  to the 22. Efrem Hill picked up a pass at the right sideline good for a first down. From the 46, Willy pushed ahead for the first down. Durant’s next pass intended for Smith was overthrown at the left sideline but Smith ran the same route on the next play and this time the pass was delivered on target. Sheets then gained 5 off right tackle. Durant’s next pass was intercepted by Charleston Hughes, who rambled down to the Riders’ 28. Cornish then zig-zagged down to the 22. Glenn’s pass intended for Lewis was broken up by Chris McKenzie, so Rene Parades attempted a 30-yard field goal into the teeth of the wind and his kick wobbled short of the crossbar. With less than a minute to go, the Riders took over at the 5. On second down, Getzlaf caught a pass over the middle for a first down out to the 22. Scott McHenry then grabbed a pass for seven before Durant took a knee and the teams went to the locker room with Calgary head 14-0.

Keon Raymond returned the opening kick of the second half out to the 38. Vic Williams hauled down Cornish for no gain on the first play. On second down from the 50, Glenn hit West at the left sideline for 9. On 3^rd-and 1, Levi Mitchell came in with the short yardage package and pushed ahead for the first down. Cornish gained 6 up the middle but an illegal use of hands penalty against the Riders gave Calgary another first down at the Riders’ 35. West then gained 8 on a pass over the middle. Glenn then took a nasty pop from Brackenridge on the next play. Parades then kicked a 34-yard field goal to give the Stamps a 17-0 lead. From the 35, Sheets carried twice for a first down. Durant then escaped a rush and connected with Sheets out of the backfield for 3. McHenry then gained 8 on a pass at the right sideline and an illegal contact penalty against Wall moved the ball to Calgary’s 53. Dressler gained 3 on a reverse to the left and then Getzlaf stretched out to snatch a pass for 6 more. Willy entered the game and pushed ahead for the first down. Hill picked up 5 on a comeback route to the 35. On the next play, Durant rushed up the middle and fumbled. Calgary’s Juwan Simpson recovered but it was ruled that Durant was down by contact. Calgary’s Coach Hufnagel challenged the ruling and, after review, it was ruled that Calgary recovered at the 34. That was the Riders’ 13^th turnover in the last five games. The Stamps went two n’ out for the first time in the game. West returned Rob Maver’s punt back to the 42. Durant escaped a rush and rolled right for 6. Hill then made a tremendous catch as he dove to catch a pass foir a 21-yard gain. Durant was then hauled down and the ball was slapped out of his hand but the Riders recovered for a 1-yard loss. With less than a minute left in the quarter, Milo punted into the wind for a net 5-yard kick. Taylor gained 7 and then Cornish pushed ahead for another first down as the quarter came to a close.

It was so windy that the goalpost uprights were shaking. Cornish carried twice for a first down at the Riders’ 44. Cornish then barreled ahead for 4 more. Walter then pushed ahead for 8 more. Marquay McDaniel then carried on a reverse right and took a heavy pop from Chris McKenzie. From the 29, the Stamps elected to go for it on 3^rd-and-6. Glenn took a heavy rush and was hauled down for a loss. Durant brought out the offense at the 40. Durant rushed ahead for 15 on second down out to Calgary’s 52. Sheets then gained 8 on a flip pass from Durant in the backfield. On third down, the Riders went for it and Durant connected with Dressler over the middle at the 43. On second down, Getzlaf gained 7. DeAngelis then knocked in a field goal to put the Riders on the board with seven minutes remaining. From the 35, Cornish gained only 2 as he was gang tackled at the line. Larry Taylor picked up 6 more on a pass out of the backfield so Maver punted away. From the 35, Getzlaf grabbed a pass at the right sideline and moved the ball down to the 45. On the next play, McCoy ripped off Durant’s helmet and NcCoy ended up getting injured on the play. From the 35, Durant hit Getzlaf, who made an over the shoulder catch and ran out of bounds at the 5. A roughing-the-passer call moved the ball to the 2 where Sheets banged ahead for the touchdown with four minutes remaining, to make it 17-10 Calgary. Rob Cote picked up 10 on a pass out of the backfield. Cornish pushed ahead for 7 more at the three-minute warning. From midfield, Glenn’s pass intended for Lewis was batted away so Maver punted away. The Riders then started out at the 25 with 2:25 left on the clock. The Riders then faced a third-and-6, so Milo punted away and the Riders took their chances with the defense. Cornish gained 5 out to the 51, and then four more. The Stamps then picked up the first down with the short yardage package as the clock moved under a minute. The Riders got the ball back at the 21 with seven seconds left but his long heave intended for Getzlaf fell short and the Riders lost their fifth in a row to stay dead last in the CFL West.       

Game 9 v. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9/2/12)

The 3-5 Riders returned to Mosaic for a “Labour Day Weekend” clash with the Blue Bombers, who just fired their head coach after a dismal start. The Riders have lost five in a row and were looking to turn things around against the CFL’s worst team.  The Riders’ current last-place standing didn’t affect fan interest as it was an absolute sea of green in the stands at Mosaic. It was a clear 24-degree day with heavy prairie winds swirling about. The Riders came out in their classic ‘60’s uniforms. The Riders won the toss, elected to receive and started out at the 36.

On the opening play, Darian Durant connected with Chris Getzlaf over the middle for 9. After moving the ball to the 52, Durant found Jock Sanders in traffic down to the 46. Durant was then hauled down in the backfield by Logan for an 8-yard loss. On the play Turner was injured. Kory Sheets then caught a pass out of the backfield and scampered up the left sideline for 12 before Sandro DeAngelis banged in a very long field goal to give the Riders an early 3-0 lead. The Bombers started out at the 35 where Joey Elliott brought out the offense. On the first play, Elliott attempted a long pass over the middle intended for Cory Watson that was incomplete. Elliott then found Terrence Edwards in the left flat and Edwards ran upfield for the first down. On second-and-9, Elliott’s pocket collapsed and he was sacked for a big loss, so Mike Renaud punted away. Weston Dressler nearly fumbled the punt but fell on the ball at the 26. On first down, Sheets rush up the middle went nowhere. Durant then avoided a heavy rush and ran upfield for a first down out to the 40. After Durant slightly overthrew Dressler on first down, Foster grabbed a pass for a long gain. Taj Smith then grabbed another ball in the left slot for a first down but a penalty on the Riders negated the gain. Sanders then scooped a pass and ran up the left sideline to the Winnipeg 50. On the next play, Foster made a great leaping catch over the middle to the 25. From there, Durant found Dressler all alone in the end zone for the touchdown. With the point after, the Riders had a 10-0 lead with 3:38 remaining in the quarter. After a great tackle on special teams by Jordan Sisco, the Bombers started out at the 11. Chad Simpson barreled up the middle for 12. On second and 6, Elliott’s pass intended for Edwards was overthrown and Renaud punted into a heavy wind. Dressler was able to return the punt out to midfield. On first down, Durant connected with Dressler at the right sideline for 7. Sheets then went off left tackle for four more. Durant then rushed up the middle on the quarterback draw down to the 32. On the final play of the quarter, Durant’s pass intended for Dressler in the left slot went incomplete and Durant was furious with someone…

Getzlaf then caught a pass in traffic and gained 11 down to the 21. On the next play, Durant found Dressler streaking down the middle and hit him with a perfectly timed ball in the end zone for the touchdown. Riders were now ahead 17-0 early in the second quarter. The Bombers were able to return the kick out to the 37. On first down, Edwards caught a pass in the left flat for 5. Elliott’s next pass was overthrown and Renaud came into punt. The punt was blocked the Riders’ Tyron Brackinridge, who scooped up the loose ball at the 15 and scampered into the end zone to make it 24-0.  Simpson’s rush up the middle gained 3. On second down, Chris Matthews took a pass out of the backfield and fell forward for a first down. After a holding call pushed the ball back 10 yards, Elliott’s pass to Simpson resulted in a 3-yard loss. After another incompletion, Renaud punted out.  Sanders then returned the punt all the way down to Winnipeg’s 45. On first down, Durant gained 13 on the quarterback option. But Sheets was then dragged down for a 4-yard loss. Durant’s next pass intended for Dressler was over thrown, so Chris Milo came on for the first time to punt out. Milo hit a perfect coffin corner kick for the single to make it 25-0. From the 45, Elliott came out throwing and hit Simpson out of the backfield for 11. Simpson then ran up the middle for 5. Elliott then overthrew his receiver and Renaud came in to punt. This time, he fumbled the snap and was nearly tackled for a big loss before squibbing the punt down to the 25. On second and 5, Sanders then blasted off left tackle for 24 to the 54. Sheets then carried off left tackled for 12 more. On second down, Durant found Terrence Jeffers-Harris for an 11-yard gain. On second-and -10, Durant found Getzlaf over the middle but he was short of the first down. So DeAngelis came in and knocked in a 30-yard field goal to make it 28-0 Riders. DeAngelis’ ensuing kickoff went out of bounds and the Bombers took over at the 45. Elliott connected with Edwards over the middle to the 53.  After Watson gained six, the Bombers went for it on third down but a procedure call against Winnipeg forced them to punt. Sheets then rushed twice up the middle and both he and Durant came up hobbling. With :32 left on the clock, Milo punted out. The Bombers plunged into the line for a net gain of 2. Winnipeg’s new coach was furious. Durant took a knee and the sides went to their locker rooms with the Riders having a big lead.

On the Riders’ first series of the second half, Durant led the offense out to midfield, but the offense went two n’ out. A roughing the passer call against Muamba gave the Riders a new life with the ball at the Bombers’ 45. From there, Sheets rushed up the middle for 12. Durant then took a serious pop from Bowman and Vega, gaining only 1. After the play, Durant had to take to the sideline as Drew Willy entered under center. Smith gained only a few yards so DeAngelis came in to kick another long field goal to give the Riders a 31-0 lead. From the 35, Elliott connected with Edwards for 7. Simpson then gained 4 on the halfback option. Brackinridge was flagged for pass interference on the next play, which put the ball at midfield. Brackinridge then picked off Elliott’s pass and raced down the left sideline to the 21. Willy stayed in at quarterback and connected with Dressler on a short gain, leading to another field goal attempt by DeAngelis. His kick was good and the Riders went ahead, 34-0. On second down, Elliott’s pass intended for Denmark was ruled incomplete and the Bombers’ coach didn’t even bother challenge the ruling on what was a close call. The Riders started out their next drive at the 51, Willy then scooted off right tackle for 8. Sheets then lost yardage on an option left so Milo punted away. On the Bombers’ next drive, Chris McKenzie was flagged for pass interference, which brought the ball to the Riders’ 50. After a short gain by Simpson, the drive stalled and Renaud punted out. A no-yards call moved the ball out to the 42. An illegal contact penalty on Winnipeg’s Hefney gave the Riders another first down. After a short gain by Sheets, Willy connected with Getzlaf for an 1-yard gain. Will then found Jeffers-Harris wide open on the right sideline at the 25 and Jeffers-Harris raced in from there to make it a 42-0 game.

Moving into the fourth quarter, the Winnipeg coach was at the bench lecturing several players but it didn’t seem to do much good as Elliott was sacked by Tearrius George and Renaud punted out again. Sheets then gained 3, out to the 23. Willy then found Getzlaf, who gained 12 more. Willy was then sacked by Brandon Stewart on second down and Milo punted away. Alex Brink then entered the game at quarterback for the Bombers and connected with Kito Poblah for a nine-yard gain. The Bombers went for it on third-and-1 but a plunge into the line came up short and the Riders took over on downs. Winnipeg’s GM was then seen on the sideline and appeared in a foul mood… With Willy back in the lineup, Sheets carried off left tackle and raced for a 37-yard gain. From the 24, Sheets plunged into the line for 6 more. The drive stalled at the 18 and DeAngelis came in to knock in a 26-yard field goal to make it 45-0. On the ensuing kickoff, the Riders’ Woldu, leaped over the kick returner and caught the ball at the 21. From there, Sanders caught a pass and was hauled down at the 6. Sheets then went off tackle to the 3. From there, Willy plunged into the line and through for the touchdown. With DeAngelis’ point after, it was now 52-0 Riders. The Bombers fumbled the kickoff return and the Riders recovered at the 40. Third stringer J.T. O’Sullivan entered the game to run down the clock. Milo hit anoth great punt, pinning the Bombers back at the 2. Brink hit Poblah for 11. Brink then ran for 6 but then stumbled in the pocket and heaved a forward lateral out of bounds. The Bombers then turned over the ball on downs. O’Sullivan came in and took a knee and that was that. The last time the Bombers were shut out was October 8^th, 1967 in Toronto. Was it a question of the Riders being that good or the Bombers being that bad?