Saskatchewan Roughriders can’t find right notes, fall flat in Banjo Bowl loss

Photo courtesy: Samantha Keen/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders could not find the right notes in Winnipeg and lost the Banjo Bowl 19-6 at Princess Auto Stadium.

The Riders fell to 8-5 and the Blue Bombers improved to 7-6 as the two rivals split the Labour Day Classic and rematch. Due to the head-to-head point differential, Saskatchewan has lost the season series to Winnipeg, which will prove costly if the two teams finish the regular-season with the same record.

Second down sabotage

Saskatchewan went four-for-22 on second down in the Banjo Bowl. That’s where the game was lost by the Riders.

Marc Mueller’s offence had difficulty sustaining drives against heavy coverage looks from Winnipeg defensive coordinator Jordan Younger and his unit. The Blue Bombers’ secondary — Major Williams, Trey Vaval, Deatrick Nichols, Redha Kramdi, Evan Holm, and Ridge Texada — were sticky in coverage.

Trevor Harris completed 24-of-45 passes for 231 yards and he was intercepted once. He posted one completion over 20 yards, which came on a flea flicker to Dhel Duncan-Busby running a go ball down the right side, but it was a contested catch with Texada in coverage. Winnipeg played top down coverage at a high level and frustrated the 14-year veteran passer.

The Roughriders entered Week 15 leading the CFL with a 54.4 second down conversion rate, but fell well short of that against their arch rival.

What is roughing the passer?

In the Labour Day Classic, James Vaughters was called for roughing the passer when he made contact with Zach Collaros’ helmet with less than 30 seconds. That allowed Winnipeg to score the game-tying touchdown and force overtime.

During the fourth quarter in the Banjo Bowl, American defensive lineman Michael Fletcher hit Harris and put his full body weight on him as the two went to the turf. By the definition of the rule, that’s supposed to be roughing the passer. It was not called and the Riders drive was not extended.

Rider Nation was confused calling into the 620 CKRM postgame show as to why no flag was thrown when Harris was pile driven, and their questions seemed more than fair.

Costly fumbles and drops

For the second straight week, D’Sean Mimbs lost a fumble. KeeSean Johnson did, too.

Mimbs had the football punched out by Kramdi in the first quarter, and Holm recovered. In the third quarter, Nichols knocked the ball out from Johnson as he was falling to the turf for what looked like a sure completion, but Jaylen Smith jumped on it.

Mimbs had at least one drop as he finished with six receptions for 50 yards on eight targets. Johnson had at least one drop as he registered five catches for 37 yards on seven targets.

Kian Schaffer-Baker and Samuel Emilus can’t return soon enough for the Green and White offence.

Bully ball

After Saskatchewan held Brady Oliveira to a season-low 28 rushing yards in the Labour Day Classic, the star Canadian running back churned out 100 yards on 14 carries in a Banjo Bowl win.

The 29-year-old rushed five times for 30 yards in the first half and carried the football nine times for 70 yards in the second half.

One play stood out above the rest in the run game.

It was a second-and-four in the third quarter, and defensive end Derick Roberson forced his way into the backfield and made contact with the physical ball carrier. However, Oliveira bounced off him and picked up 14 yards. That gave the Bombers a first down and led to a field goal.

SAM I am

Seyi Oladipo Jr. has played well at strong-side linebacker after being inserted into the lineup for a struggling Antoine Brooks Jr.

The 23-year-old made Oliveira whiff in pass protection in the first quarter and took down Collaros for a sack. Later in the first frame, Oladipo had a chance to intercept Winnipeg’s franchise QB, but could not come down with the football. It was a standout play, although a turnover could have changed the game.

In the third quarter, Oladipo secured a Collaros pass for his first career CFL interception. He smartly fell back into a slant ball intended for Nic Demski, which he returned 37 yards and led to a field goal.

Oladipo finished the home-and-home series with nine tackles, two sacks, two pass knockdowns, and one interception.

Kicker flip

Corey Mace decided to bench Global Alex Hale for Canadian Dawson Hodge as the Wilfrid Laurier University product made his CFL debut in a hostile environment.

The 24-year-old looked comfortable making 33-yard and 27-yard field goals in the second and third quarters, respectively.

It’s worth noting, Hale was accurate on the road to start his three-down league career, making 11-of-13 field goals (84.6 percent) and nine-of-10 extra points (90 percent). Inside Mosaic Stadium, he has struggled, hitting 13-of-19 three-pointers (68.4 percent) and 23-of-25 converts (92 percent).

Hodge’s real test, if he gets the opportunity, will be how he does kicking at home.

Dink and Dunks

– Trevor Harris caught his second career CFL pass. Willie Jefferson swatted the ball and it eventually found Harris, who registered his first reception in 2016 with the Ottawa Redblacks.
– Tim White got his revenge on Aubrey Miller Jr. for his big hit in the Labour Day Classic. After Miller Jr. intercepted Collaros, White hustled to level the physical linebacker.
– Starting American receiver Shemar Bridges and primary returner James Letcher Jr. left the game with upper body injuries and did not return, while Canadian safety Nelson Lokombo also appeared to suffer a possible injury.
– Jake Ceresna bullied Zack Fry for a sack.
– Middle linebacker Jameer Thurman backs down from no one. He was spotted by TSN jawing with Gabe Wallace, who has seven inches and 97 pounds on him.