Numbers matter in sports. They might not tell the whole story, but, with enough of them and right context, they sure help form an understanding of why or how results are reached.
A lot has gone right for the Saskatchewan Roughriders so far as they’ve earned a 4-1 record and have proven to be on a shortlist of the CFL’s best teams. A look behind the hood at some of the data illustrates where things have gone so right and what’s led to their success.
Here are five numbers that define the Riders through their first five games of the season.
354.2
That’s how many yards of net offence the Riders defence has allowed on average, tops in the CFL. Allowing just 250 yards without the ball in Sunday’s blowout win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats sure helped reduce that rate.
Saskatchewan’s defence has been excellent through the first six weeks of the season, something that was especially evident on Sunday. The Riders also rank first in the league by giving up an average of 6.54 yards per play to their opponents.
266.6
It’s long been imperative to pass the ball effectively if you want to win games in the CFL. Naturally, if defences can limit teams from moving the ball downfield through the air, they’re bound to have lots of success. That’s been the case for the Riders, who have allowed rivals to rack up just 266.6 passing yards per game – a CFL best.
Sure, getting to face a Ticats group without future Hall of Fame quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell behind centre helped the Riders in their most recent game. Hamilton managed just 169 yards passing on Sunday. But that’s not to take away from what the Riders did to former teammate Jake Dolegala and his group of receivers. They absolutely shut them down, particularly in the second half.
The Riders have given up just four passing touchdowns from opponents overall, two fewer than second-place Edmonton.
190
KeeSean Johnson and Kian Schaffer-Baker have combined to average 190 yards receiving each contest. Better still for Riders quarterback Trevor Harris is that he’s been able to find them both at a similar rate.
Johnson has 36 catches in the 50 times he’s been targeted and has three touchdowns, while averaging 95.8 yards per game. Schaffer-Baker has 34 receptions in the 44 times the ball has come his way and has also been the end zone thrice, while averaging 94.2 yards per outing. Those are two powerful weapons.
Only the Montreal Alouettes have a more dynamic receiving duo than the Riders can boast. Tyson Philpot is averaging 143.8 yards over five contests, whereas Tyler Snead is right being the Saskatchewan pairing with an per-game rate of 94 yards.
71.9
Harris wasn’t exactly spectacular in his last outing as he threw two interceptions in the lopsided win, but he’s certainly been proficient through the first five games. His 12 touchdown passes compared to four picks represents a solid three-to-one ratio.
Better yet, the veteran quarterback has proven to be efficient with his tosses. Harris has connected on 123 of 171 throws, good for a 71.9 completion percentage. That puts him second in the CFL behind only Mitchell, who’s likely out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
A sound defence and a steady hand in the pocket are often a winning formula.
20.1
The Riders are averaging a CFL-best 20.1 yards on punt returns, a 4.2-yard edge in this regard over Winnipeg. They’ve often improved their field position greatly because of their work in this special-teams facet.
Mathew Sexton is primarily to thank for this. The rookie had a 101-yard touchdown return against Ottawa earlier this month and made three returns for 77 yards in the first half when Hamilton visited on Sunday. Unfortunately, Sexton went down with an injury after running back the opening kickoff following the break. He was carted off the field, leaving his status in jeopardy.
