Saskatchewan Roughriders Suffer 32-15 Defeat against Calgary: Assessing the Highs, Lows, and Flaws
In a tough matchup against the Calgary Stampeders, the Saskatchewan Roughriders struggled to find their rhythm, resulting in a 32-15 loss. The defeat could potentially stir up a storm in the coming weeks, as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers loom on the horizon.
The Riders' defense had a challenging time stopping second-and-longs, allowing the Stampeders to convert on several occasions. This was particularly evident in the second quarter, where Calgary jumped to a 14-2 lead. However, the Riders fought back, taking a 15-14 lead at halftime.
The Riders' offense, on the other hand, struggled in the second half, managing just four first downs before head coach Corey Mace decided to pull starting quarterback Trevor Harris and running back A.J. Ouellette with under four minutes left in the game. Trevor Harris, a MOP (Most Outstanding Player) candidate, threw four interceptions in the game, with two of them being followed by interceptions by the opposing team on the very next play.
Jake Maier replaced Harris as the Riders' starting quarterback in the second half, but the offense showed little effectiveness outside of one burst in the second quarter. The Riders' offense managed just two points in the first quarter and scored no points in the second half.
The Riders' defense allowed Calgary to score only a couple of rouges in three of four quarters, making it extremely difficult for the Riders to win the game. Both teams combined for only four points off turnovers, with one Rene Paredes field goal and one rouge from Joe Couch.
Despite the loss, coach Mace opted to look at the big picture instead of pushing for a win that was extremely unlikely to achieve. The CFL season is long, and the Riders need to prioritise the health of their best players to achieve bigger goals this season.
The Riders' lead atop the West Division has shrunk to one over Calgary and two over Winnipeg. The Riders are still 8-2 and have all but mathematically wrapped up a playoff spot.
This game could serve as an example for coaches who preach ball safety, as interceptions were not always the end of the world. The Riders' offense's prolonged silence was a recurring issue this season, but the team still has time to address these concerns before the playoffs.
