Thanks to Brett Lauther’s 54-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining, the Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-4) defeated the Ottawa REDBLACKS (3-5) 26-24 at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday night.
Lauther was 4 for 4, including the game winning field goal.
The Roughriders earned the win despite giving up four turnovers.
QB Mason Fine 23 for 37 for 296 yards and a touchdown.
REDBLACKS QB Dustin Crum was 16 for 20 with 174 passing yards and only 21 rushing yards.
Saskatchewan has experienced problems in short yardage situations this season, but on the opening possession for the green and white, an important third down conversion led to their first touchdown.
Facing third and one at the Ottawa ten-yard-line, Roughriders Head Coach Craig Dickenson elected to bring in the field goal unit with Jake Dolegala as the holder. Before the snap, the Roughriders motioned Dolegala under centre, lining up in an offensive formation. The REDBLACKS Adam Auclair was called for offsides, extending the drive for Saskatchewan. On the next play, Jamal Morrow scored a five-yard rushing touchdown.
Ottawa tied the game on the heels of the first turnover of the game. During Saskatchewan’s A video review confirmed the call setting up the REDBLACKS at the Saskatchewan 18-yard-line. Ottawa had to settle for a 31-yard field goal from Ward following Anthony Lanier’s second sack of the season.
About two minutes later, Saskatchewan regained the lead with a 19-yard field goal from Brett Lauther.
With 12 seconds remaining in the opening half, the green and white extended their lead as Lauther connected with a 24-yard field goal to give Saskatchewan a 13-8 advantage at halftime.
The Roughriders offence started the second half with great momentum, quickly moving the ball 70 yards in just two minutes. Shawn Bane Jr. finished the possession with a 42-yard touchdown reception to put Saskatchewan ahead, 20-8.
Ottawa had a chance to cut into the Roughriders lead after a bobbled snap between Fine and Morrow gave the REDBLACKS the ball at Saskatchewan’s 23-yard line. Instead of moving forward, Ottawa was forced back after Lanier recorded his third sack of the afternoon. Ward’s third field goal made the score 20-11.
Samuel Emilus stepped up on the next drive for Saskatchewan with a pair of receptions for 54 yards including a highlight grab to give the Roughriders a first down at the Ottawa 11. The green and white offence would stall, with Lauther’s third field goal creating a 12-point margin.
Tobias Harris gave Ottawa excellent field position with a 36-yard punt return to the Roughriders 27-yard line. Saskatchewan’s defence held their ground stopping a pair of REDBLACKS runs with Ward’s field goal trimming the deficit to nine points.
A minute into the final quarter, Dolegala fumbled a short yardage attempt with a QB sneak attempt. Ottawa’s Douglas Coleman II recovered the loose ball and ran it back 45 yards for a t0uchdown, as the Roughriders lead shrunk to a pair of points.
Saskatchewan had to rely on their stout run defence to preserve their lead when the REDBLACKS Tyrell Pigrome was stopped on a third and one deep in Roughrider territory.
With 2:06, at their own 19-yard, facing third and one, Dickenson decided to send Dolegala for the short yard attempt. The REDBLACKS denied Dolegala on the sneak attempt, forcing the fourth turnover.
Ward put Ottawa ahead with 1:04 remaining with a 8-yard field goal.
Alford was able to return the ensuing kickoff to the Saskatchewan 50-yard line. With a pair of receptions, the Roughriders were able to move the ball into field goal range, setting up Lauther’s game winning field goal.
The Roughriders defence ended up with six sacks including three from Lanier II. Lake Korte-Moore registered his first career CFL sack.
Micah Teitz led Saskatchewan with eight tackles, Larry Dean had seven of his own.
In his first game with the green and white, Jerreth Sterns had seven receptions for 77 yards.
Bane Jr. ended up with six receptions for 88 yards along with his touchdown reception.
Speaking with Daniella Ponticelli moments after the game ended, Lauther said despite his efforts, it was a collective win against the REDBLACKS.
“I’m not the hero, team win, feels good to get a win back in the win column here.”
The Roughriders kicker said Sunday’s win was a big one for the green and white.
“I needed it, the team needed, we’re 4-4 now, we need to start rolling.”
Dickenson joined Michael Ball and Luc Mullinder during the 5th Quarter and said he had no regrets with the third down gamble during the fourth quarter that led to Saskatchewan’s fourth turnover of the game.
“I felt like we’re going to get it, I’m never going to go for it if I don’t feel confident in our group.”
The Riders head coach added at the time of the play, the clock was on Saskatchewan’s side.
“If we get it, we can basically kill another 45-50 seconds and punt and now they’re dealing with trying to kick a field goal with a small amount of time and if we didn’t get it, I knew there was a pretty good chance they kick a field goal and we would have time to come back and kick a field goal of our own and beat it. ”
Dickenson noted the Roughriders have to be better in their return game.
“He (Mario Alford) was pressing tonight. ”
He also gave credit to REDBLACKS special teams unit led by former Roughriders special teams coach and current Ottawa Head Coach Bob Dyce.
“Of the nine teams in the league, I would Ottawa is 1 or 2 in terms of special teams and we’re not there, I think we’re middle of the pack on specials and we’re going to try and keep working and keep getting better as the year goes on.”
Lanier II explained after the game that the Roughriders were well prepared for Ottawa’s offensive schemes.
He added the defensive line was able to collapse preventing Crum from finding space to scramble inside the pocket.
“Everybody being on the same page and getting off the ball at the same time and understanding where the holes might be, people are making plays.”
With the offences struggles, Lanier II knows it’s important for team to remain united through tough times.
“We back the coaches, they back us, we back the offence, they back us up, everything works and gel together in unison, no matter what happens, no matter how bad it gets, no matter how great it is, we always have each others backs. ”
It will be a quick turnaround for the Roughriders, they will now head to Montreal on Friday, for a showdown with former offensive coordinator, now head coach Jason Maas along with ex-Rider QB Cody Fajardo.
Coverage on 620 CKRM begins with Countdown to Kickoff at 2:30, the opening kickoff is set for 5:30.
