The Riders have themselves another “W”, but their head coach admits come playoff time they won’t be getting any if their play doesn’t improve,
Craig Dickenson says he certainly isn’t going to make apologies for his team’s 29-24 win over the Edmonton Elks, a win that clinches second place in the West and homefield advantage for the Western semi-final against Calgary on September 28, but he knows they can and must play better.
“I don’t think we are playing great football. I really don’t” Dickenson told reporters after the game. “We need to play better if we are going to go anywhere in the playoffs, there’s no question about it. We are finding ways to win though and I don’t want to discount that, but that wasn’t a great performance and if we play like that in the playoffs it will be a short run for us.”
Duke Williams had a huge game for the Riders as he caught eight passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. He gave the team and Rider Nation a scare in the 4th quarter when he was writhing on the turf after suffering what appeared to be a severe leg injury. Williams astounded many though by only missing a few plays.
Cody Fajardo threw f0r 245 yards and three touchdowns with one of those going to Williams. He felt that while the team slogged its way to another victory, the offence was better.
“We played a lot better tonight. We did a much better job of scoring in the red zone and putting up some points. “Fajardo said. ” It seems though as if always comes down to the last drive for us though.”
The Riders are now 9-4 on the season. They will finish off the regular season with a game in Hamilton on November 20. Dickenson says it is far too early to determine what his roster will look like in what is a nothing game for the team, but he did say he would like to see some young guys get some action especially at quarterback making one think Isaac Harker will get a majority of playing time.
GAME NOTES:
- Defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy suffered an ankle injury late in the first half and did not return. Dickenson could not say how severe the injury was after the game
- The Riders have won their last 29 regular-season games when ahead after the 3rd quarter
- The last seven Rider games have all been decided by seven or fewer points. They are 5-2 in those games
- Duke Williams’ 124 receiving yards are a Roughriders single-game high for this season. Kian Schaffer-Baker is the only other player to have a 100+ yard receiving game as had 107 yards on October 2 in Calgary.
