Friday the 13th proved to bring even more bad fortunate for the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-11) with a 26-19 loss to the Calgary Stampeders (5-11).
With the win, Calgary can claim the final playoff spot in the Canadian Football League playoffs if they win their final two regular season games.
Jake Dolegala had 272 passing yards with an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
Jamal Morrow 86 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Shawn Bane Jr. had 102 receiving yards.
Larry Dean picked up two tackles, giving him his third 100+ tackle season. He becomes the seventh player in league history to accomplish that feat.
For the Stamps, QB Jake Maier had 184 passing yards with a touchdown.
Saskatchewan ended the game with four turnovers, while Calgary didn’t have any turnovers.
There is still a chance for the Roughriders to make the playoffs, but they will likely need a win in the final regular season game against Toronto along with some help.
Game Recap
The defenses dominated in the first half with no points on the scoreboard in the opening 15 minutes.
Saskatchewan seemed to benefit from dressing nine defensive linemen, with players like Anthony Lanier II, Christian Albright and Habakkuk Baldonado applied pressure on Maier. Pete Robertson registered a sack for the Roughriders.
Early in the second quarter the green and white opened the scoring when Ryan Meskell kicked a 31-yard field goal. Meskell replaced Brett Lauther who was a late scratch (illness).
On the next Roughriders possession, the offence was able to move the ball 90 yards. Morrow opened the drive with a 20-yard run and closed it with a 12-yard touchdown.
Shawn Bane Jr.’s strong first half was highlighted by a 42-yard reception. The catch set up Meskell’s second field goal to extend Saskatchewan’s lead to 13-0.
Calgary collected their first points of the game in the final moments of the the first half. Saskatchewan elected to concede a safety to give the Stampeders two points.
Saskatchewan kicked off from their 20-yard line. Calgary was able to produce three extra points from the leg of Rene Paredes to end the half.
In the second half, turnovers proved to be costly for the Roughriders.
Meskell opened the scoring with his third field goal of the game.
Later in the third quarter, Mario Alford fumbled a punt return that fell into the waiting hands of Stamps Charlie Power.
Calgary capitalized on the turnover with Floyd Allen hauling in a 15-yard touchdown reception.
Down by four, the Stampeders grabbed the lead when Cameron Judge intercepted Dolegala’s pass and returned it for a touchdown.
Saskatchewan would tie the game in the fourth quarter with Meskell kicking his fourth field goal of the game.
The Stampeders offence showed their first signs of life in the fourth quarter a Luther Hakunavanhu making a big 37-yard catch at the Roughriders one-yard line. QB Tommy Stevens sneaked in on the next play.
In their final attempt to tie the game, Saskatchewan thought they converted a key third down gamble with a Jerreth Sterns reception, but the play was called back after Stamps Head Coach Dave Dickenson successfully challenged for pass interference on the Riders Samuel Emilus. The Roughriders wouldn’t be able to recover as the Stamps forced another turnover on downs to seal the victory.
Post-Game Comments
In the 5th Quarter, Head Coach Craig Dickenson told 620 CKRM’s Luc Mullinder that he thought the Roughriders were in control but the turnovers was the ultimate difference.
“I felt like if you looked at the flow of the game, you know were beating them and winning the battles, but the turnovers got us in the end.”
Dickenson his approach after his losing control of their playoff is to keep it simple.
“We got one game left and then we’ll see where the chips fall.”
With Calgary needing victories over BC and Winnipeg to close the season, Dickenson said his squad will keep battling until the year is over.
“We still got a chance and we’re going to keep working and fighting until they tell us we can’t. “
For Meskell, while he suited up with Edmonton for one game last season, it was his first game kicking field goals since 2019 when the Australian was with the University of Hawaii.
It was a disappointing result on Friday night, but Meskell was happy to be on the field again.
“I did my job for the team which was nice, it would be nice to get the result as well, it was a good feeling to be back out on the football field doing what I like to do.”
The kicker felt he was prepared to play, even if it was a last minute decision to be called up from the practice roster due to Lauther’s illness.
“I get reps during the week with the guys during the week, I trust them a lot. “
Linebacker Micah Teitz made five tackles in his return to the lineup.
He thought Friday’s loss was a tough one.
“We really felt like we had one and we felt that we really deserved that one.”
Teitz felt the defence had one of their best games against the Stampeders but it was not enough for the win.
He noted the loss stings with the defence’s effort.
“It’s more when you play so well and it just doesn’t work out for you.”
Calgary will head to BC and meet the Lions on Friday. If the Stampeders lose, Saskatchewan would then regain control in the race for the final playoff spot.
The Roughriders close out the regular season next Saturday when they host the Toronto Argonauts at Mosaic Stadium.
