Roughriders bring home the Grey Cup The Saskatchewan Roughriders capped off a dream season with a Grey Cup victory on their home turf on November 24. Expectations were high in Riderville entering the 2013 campaign, as everyone involved with the organization--and everyone with Rider Green hanging in the closet--had their eyes on the prize that would be handed out in Regina at the end of the CFL season. Things started out according to plan, with the Riders racking up five straight wins to start the season. A road bump in Calgary slowed their momentum, but they bounced right back with another three straight wins. A Banjo Bowl loss to the Blue Bombers set the team into somewhat of a tailspin, and they lost their next three. They ended up winning three of their last five, good enough to earn them a home playoff game against the Lions. A 29-25 victory over BC set up a much-anticipated matchup with the first place Stampeders. The Riders played some inspired football in Calgary, sensing how close they were to a Grey Cup berth at home. They beat the Stamps handedly, setting up a championship bout against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. A sea of green welcomed the two teams as they took the field on Sunday to vie for CFL supremacy. Though the Tiger-Cats were entering a hostile environment, they were still the first team to put up points. Former Rider Andy Fantuz aided the drive down the field with a few key catches, and kicker Luca Congi made a 45-yard field goal to lead off the scoring. One of the wildest plays of the game occurred on the next series, when quarterback Darian Durant was hit while scrambling, and the ball was sent flying into the cool Regina evening. The ball landed safely in the hands of teammate Korey Sheets, who took the gift an extra 42 yards in the right direction. It was the first of many bounces that would go the Riders’ way. The drive was capped by a stellar touchdown pass from Durant to veteran receiver Geroy Simon. The first quarter ended with a 7-3 Riders lead, but the second frame was all Saskatchewan. Majors were scored by Jock Sanders and Korey Sheets, and Geroy Simon added another touchdown catch. Each team successfully kicked a field goal in the second, making the halftime score 31-6. It was clear by halftime that the Riders were content to use the same strategies that got them to the big game. A heavy dose of Sheets up the middle wore away at the Hamilton defense, and Durant was careful with his passes, making some strong throws to the sidelines. Defensively they were physical with go-to receiver Andy Fantuz, jamming and rerouting him down the field, making things tough on their old teammate. He still came up with his fair share of catches on the day, but nothing came easy. The Ticats put a little bit of a scare into the honourary home crowd when the second half began. They kept the Riders off the board for the entire third quarter, and managed to narrow the gap with a Henry Burris rushing touchdown. The first play of the fourth was a good field goal by the Ticats’ Luca Congi. The kick made it 31-16 for the Riders and turned it into a two score game. The Riders were backed up in their own end of the field on the next drive, and two penalties made things even bleaker. On one of the crucial plays of the contest, the Riders called a draw play to Korey Sheets, who took the handoff and ran hard for a 21-yard gain and a gigantic first down. A few plays later their star back took the ball over the goal line for a score. It didn’t take long for the Riders to get the ball back, thanks to some good defensive play. John Chick registered a sack on the next play from scrimmage, and teammate Ricky Foley fell on the loose ball. One play later it was Darian Durant to Weston Dressler for another Riders touchdown. Ticats running back C.J. Gable added a late game score, but the lead would be too much for Hamilton to surmount. When it was all over, the scoreboard showed a 45-23 Roughriders win. Korey Sheets put forth an outstanding effort on the day, racking up 197 yards, which was enough to set a new Grey Cup record. Durant was good too, going 17-24 for 245 yards, throwing 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. And anyone would be remiss to not mention the Riders’ offensive line, which dominated throughout the playoffs, taking a simple inside zone scheme and moving bodies out of the way for Sheets to gain his yards. The defense delivered too, limiting the Ticats’ rushing attack, pressuring Burris, and making Fantuz work for every yard he gained. It all culminated in a province-wide celebration, with Riders fans rejoicing far and wide, a day to be proud of the green and white.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 14:38:22 +0000
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