Defense and Special teams did their part, but Cody Fajardo and the offence sat in neutral as the Roughriders lost to the BC Lions, one of the C-F-L’s top teams. The green and white now have not scored a single point at home in the second half, over the past three games, and dropped Friday’s contest 28-10 at home during Legends Night.
(Plaza of Honour presentation at halftime with Weston Dressler, Ken Miller and Mike McCullough)
For the Riders, they were lead by their defense and special teams. The defense had two interceptions and three total turnovers, while the special teams had a blocked punt recovery and returner Mario Alford was averaging 30 yards on kick-off returns.
Unfortunately, after an opening drive touchdown from the Lions the green and white just could not kickstart the offence. Cody Fajardo, was pulled from the game with just over two minutes left in the first half, after throwing 8 completions on 13 attempts for just 41 yards and two interceptions.
On offence the only real positive takeaway was the connection between Mason Fine and Justin McInnis as they hooked up for the Riders only touchdown of the game and McInnis’s first in his career on Fine’s opening drive.
McInnis would finish the game with six receptions on nine targets collecting a team high 111 receiving yards. While Fine finished the game with 16 completions on 26 attempts for 210 yards with a touchdown and interception.
Once pulled, Fajardo went from player to coach and made the veteran move of being a support system to the young quarterback, Mason Fine explains…
The Riders now fall to 5-5 on the year and have the most difficult schedule in the C-F-L over the next three weeks playing B.C. once more and back to back against Winnipeg. (The two teams combined record this season is 17-2).
Receiver, Justin McInnis explains what it’s going to take for the team to turn the season around and have a chance to play in front of their home fans on Grey Cup weekend…
Friday’s game saw the league leader in passing yards helped off the field. Lions second year quarterback, Nathen Rourke suffered a foot injury after getting sacked by Riders defensive Lineman, Pete Robinson in the fourth quarter. The Riders saw an early exit of their own from Wide receiver, Duke Williams who walked off with a minor limp after an awkward fall.
During halftime for Legends Night, The Roughriders announced the induction of three members from the franchise into the Plaza of Honour. This year’s class includes former Head Coach Ken Miller, Riders fan favorite receiver Weston Dressler, and Linebacker Mike McCullough.
(Former Roughriders wide receiver Weston Dressler speech to Rider fans)
The Riders now have a week to try and figure out a game plan to solve the BC Lions, as they will be in Vancouver Friday night for the rematch. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:30pm. Head Coach Dickenson wouldn’t say who his starting Quarterback was going to be for the week 12 matchup.
