It’s unclear if the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ (6-11) defensive effort last week was enough to turn the season around.
The green and white’s losing skid was extended to six games with a 26-19 loss to the Calgary Stampeders last Friday, but the Roughriders defence showed signs of a late-season revival.
Saskatchewan limited the Stampeders to 208 yards on offence with 184 yards through the air. Calgary only recorded ten first downs.
Defensive end Pete Robertson recorded his seventh sack against the Stampeders.
He felt last week wasn’t a bounce-back game for the Roughriders defence but the standard they should be playing all year.
“It’s our job, it’s what we needed to do,” said the former Texas Tech Red Raider, adding, “it shouldn’t be a confidence booster, because that’s our job and that’s what we have to do.”
One notable change for the Saskatchewan against the Stampeders was the team dressed nine defensive linemen for the first time this season.
Head Coach Craig Dickenson felt the extra bodies benefited the defensive line and the team’s special teams.
“It helped us especially against the run.”
Against the Stampeders, the green and white limited the Stampeders ground game to 38 yards.
In the previous five games, the Saskatchewan’s opponents averaged 186.6 yards rushing.
The Roughriders have received an injection of energy from the younger defensive linemen over the last few weeks.
Christian Albright, Habakkuk Baldonado, and Lake Korte-Moore, along with the return of Bryan Cox Jr., have stepped into the lineup and provided a much-needed layer of depth for the Roughriders defensive pressure.
Dickenson has been impressed with the output from the younger defensive linemen.
“They bring some explosiveness, they bring some athleticism to the team and they’re physical players, so we want to try stay as physical and explosive as we can on the d-line.”
Robertson says the veterans get a boost when the younger players make a big play.
“When they go out and make plays they give us more energy.”
To end off the regular season for the Roughriders, it will be a stiff test as they face the top team in the Canadian Football League, the Toronto Argonauts. The Double Blue have dominated the Eastern Division on their way to locking up home-field advantage through the playoffs.
One of the reasons the Argonauts have dominated the win-loss column this season has been the pass protection provided by their offensive line. Toronto leads the CFL in allowing the least amount of sacks (15).
Another factor in Toronto’s success has been its turnover efficiency. The Argos offence has turned the ball over the least amount of times this season (21) and lead the CFL in turnover ratio with +25. Saskatchewan ranks last in the league at -20.
Robertson says the Roughriders will need to provide some pressure on Saturday.
“With any team, the o-line and d-line are the motor of each team,” said the defensive end.
Dickenson has stated that turnovers and big plays will play a significant role in Saturday’s game.
“You got to take care of the football when you got it and you got to try and take it away when you don’t.”
An added dynamic for Saskatchewan’s preparations this week against Toronto is the green and white are still unsure who they are lining up against this week.
With a playoff spot and the home-field advantage locked up, the Argonauts have the luxury of resting their starters if they choose. Cameron Dukes replaced Chad Kelly at quarterback in their Week 17 matchup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Toronto hasn’t decided if they will give their reserves additional playing time on Saturday.
Dickenson said the Roughriders are preparing for the Argos to play their starters and says they have to focus on their schemes.
“They’re a well-run, they’re well coached and it’s going to be a big challenge.”
Saskatchewan will try and bring the pressure to the Argos on Saturday even though the green and white will be facing it in some form themselves.
If Calgary beats the BC Lions on Friday, Saskatchewan will need to beat Toronto in order to extend their season.
But if the Stamps lose to the Lions, the Roughriders will have a chance to clinch the final playoff spot in Western Division.
Practice Notebook
It looks like the Roughriders will be unable to dress nine defensive linemen this week. Christian Albright (hip) has been ruled out this week.
Other players that won’t suit up include DB Jaxon Ford (hamstring), DB Jeremy Clark (knee), and LB Jaylen Moody (knee).
Defensive tackle Micah Johnson has no injury designation this after battling an illness this week.
