Photo: CP Images
Rough Ride
So far, this season has not yielded the results the Riders were hoping for. Heading into their Week 13 matchup against the REDBLACKS, Saskatchewan has only recorded one victory in 2015.
With the losses piling up, Saskatchewan’s owbership group decided to shake things up. Head coach Corey Chamblin and GM Brendan were let go after the Rider’s ninth straight loss.
“We were not meeting our expectations or our standards on the field and these changes were necessary to move us forward,” expressed Roughriders president and CEO Craig Reynolds.
Though that seems bad, and it is, the Riders are a far better team than their 1-10 record may indicate. Saskatchewan has lost four of those games by less than five points and has only been blown out once, by the Eskimos 30-5.
QB Comeback
Saskatchewan’s Grey Cup chances seemed bright to start the season. They had great depth throughout their roster and boasted two number one CFL quarterbacks, Darian Durant and Kevin Glenn.
Only two quarters into the season and Darian Durant was done for the remainder of year. Saskatchewan’s starter had suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and would require months of recovery and rehab before returning.
Though a major loss for the Riders, back up Kevin Glenn would more than suffice as the interim starter. Glenn, a 15-year CFL veteran, performed extremely well in Durant’s absence, passing for 1483 yards and six TDs (yet never recording a win).
Unfortunately though, Glenn’s time as starting QB only lasted four games. He also fell to injury, as he sustained a torn pectoral muscle in the Riders’ Week 5 matchup against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
After an eight week absence, Glenn will return to action against the REDBLACKS on Saturday. The Riders offence will look completely different with Glenn under centre, as his dynamic passing should have an immediate impact.
McCallum Returns to Riderville
The CFL’s oldest active player celebrated a homecoming this summer. Placekicker Paul McCallum, 45, spent nearly nine seasons playing for the B.C. Lions before being released after training camp this year.
The 22-year CFL vet spent some time away from the game waiting for the right opportunity. When one presented itself with the Riders, McCallum made his decision to return.
He spent 11 seasons in Saskatchewan and was a rock-steady presence on their special teams from 1995 to 2005.
More recently, McCallum set a CFL record by successfully making 29 consecutive field goals.
Running Away With It
As stated before, the Riders record, though terrible, is deeply deceiving. In terms of overall offence, Saskatchewan sits atop the CFL standings.
The Roughriders offence drives the field, averaging 390.2 total yards and 127.3 rushing yards per game. Running backs Jerome Messah and Anthony Allen have combined for 938 total rushing yards and three touchdowns.
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2015 Arrivals |
2015 Departures |
#RNation Invades Riderville
The REDBLACKS travel to Regina to take on the Riders at Mosaic Stadium at 9 p.m. EST on Saturday, September 19. You can watch it on TSN 1/3/4/5 and RDS2 or listen to all the action on TSN 1200 and 104,7 FM Outaouais.
Rideville should full of #RNation faithful, as they REDBLACKS will be road tripping with their fans. When these two teams last played, Ottawa was victorious. They handily beat the Green Riders 35-13 and sent them back to prairies with an 0-9 record. Check out the highlights below.
