For the benefit of the Rider Nation, by all rights they probably should have claimed two points on Saturday night. But as Rider head coach Kent Austin put it “We don't believe in 'we should have won the game”
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It’s a quote steeped in disappointment that tells you how a fantastic start, gave way to a nightmare finish sixty minutes later.
For the first thirty minutes of Saturday’s CFL match up between the Roughriders and the Lions, it appeared that a good old fashioned prairie pounding was on the way. Kerry Joseph seemed on his game completely as the first quarter morphed into the second, his passes were laser like, the Rider attack seemingly unstoppable as they gobbled up yardage and time, giving yet another sold out crowd at Mosaic Field cause to make some noise.
Saskatchewan controlled the play of the first half, provided for most of the offensive and defensive plays and if not for BC’s special teams would probably have shut out the Lions for thirty minutes of play.
Lions quarterback Jarious Jackson looked every bit the third string undisciplined learning quarterback that a third stringer should be, he completed but three passes in the first half, the teams much vaunted running game with Joe Smith likewise was shut down by a strong Rider defense that had made a few marks in the field that Lions should not cross.
A nasty end of the second half scrap between the Lions offence and the Riders defence seemed to highlight the frustration and anger that the Lions felt at having little to show for in the first thirty minutes. Not surprisingly the melee involved the Lions Rob Murphy who got into a bit of a scrap with Saskatchewan's Scott Schultz, for which both were flagged for unnecessary roughness. Also tabbed for a penalty and an expulsion was B.C. receiver Cory Rodgers, who seemed quite clearly to be an innocent man, sentenced unjustly by the overwhelmed officiating crew.
For the first thirty minutes of Saturday’s CFL match up between the Roughriders and the Lions, it appeared that a good old fashioned prairie pounding was on the way. Kerry Joseph seemed on his game completely as the first quarter morphed into the second, his passes were laser like, the Rider attack seemingly unstoppable as they gobbled up yardage and time, giving yet another sold out crowd at Mosaic Field cause to make some noise.
Saskatchewan controlled the play of the first half, provided for most of the offensive and defensive plays and if not for BC’s special teams would probably have shut out the Lions for thirty minutes of play.
Lions quarterback Jarious Jackson looked every bit the third string undisciplined learning quarterback that a third stringer should be, he completed but three passes in the first half, the teams much vaunted running game with Joe Smith likewise was shut down by a strong Rider defense that had made a few marks in the field that Lions should not cross.
A nasty end of the second half scrap between the Lions offence and the Riders defence seemed to highlight the frustration and anger that the Lions felt at having little to show for in the first thirty minutes. Not surprisingly the melee involved the Lions Rob Murphy who got into a bit of a scrap with Saskatchewan's Scott Schultz, for which both were flagged for unnecessary roughness. Also tabbed for a penalty and an expulsion was B.C. receiver Cory Rodgers, who seemed quite clearly to be an innocent man, sentenced unjustly by the overwhelmed officiating crew.
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As the skirmishes settled down, up in the Broadcast booth colour commentator Chris Walby was beside himself as the refs somehow chose Rodgers out of the pile to be exorcised from further play. Walby pointed out that it was the Lions offensive tackle Sherko Haji-Masouli that provided the most flagrant fouls in the scrum and it was he who should have been banished not Rodgers.
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Why the officials could not have called a time out and consulted the video replay, is one of those unanswered questions. Perhaps there is no applicable rule to use for consultation, but a quick scan of the replays would have at least sent the right parties to the showers for the night.
However, Lions head coach Wally Buono, was quick to realize that it’s easier to replace a receiver than a lineman and advised Rodgers to take one for the team and head for the showers with little complaint.
As the two teams headed for their dressing rooms to mull over the next thirty minutes and attend to their bruises and cuts, the Riders faithful were enjoying a 24-15 lead, confident to paraphrase Conn Smythe , they were ready to beat them in the alleys as well as the playing surface. Even if their GM was having fits as he would outline after the game.
The hostilities seemed to light a fuse under the Lions as they waited for the second half to begin. As play resumed in quarter three, it was a different Lions team that took the field, no longer content to let the riders dictate the play, Jackson suddenly got into a comfort zone. Pass after pass found its mark, Joe Smith bounced through and around Rider tacklers moving the Lions down field quickly and effectively.
Jackson delivered his passes crisply to Paris Jackson, Jason Clermont and an underused Geroy Simon. The Lions chipped away at the Riders lead, Jackson showing more and more confidence and leadership with each passing possession.
As the two teams headed for their dressing rooms to mull over the next thirty minutes and attend to their bruises and cuts, the Riders faithful were enjoying a 24-15 lead, confident to paraphrase Conn Smythe , they were ready to beat them in the alleys as well as the playing surface. Even if their GM was having fits as he would outline after the game.
The hostilities seemed to light a fuse under the Lions as they waited for the second half to begin. As play resumed in quarter three, it was a different Lions team that took the field, no longer content to let the riders dictate the play, Jackson suddenly got into a comfort zone. Pass after pass found its mark, Joe Smith bounced through and around Rider tacklers moving the Lions down field quickly and effectively.
Jackson delivered his passes crisply to Paris Jackson, Jason Clermont and an underused Geroy Simon. The Lions chipped away at the Riders lead, Jackson showing more and more confidence and leadership with each passing possession.
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As late as the third quarter though it appeared that the Riders were destined for a win, a third down gamble deep in the Lions end turned badly on them, as the Riders stopped a Jackson sneak and took over on the Leos fifteen yard line.
The Lions still trailed heading into the fourth quarter, but battled on shutting down the Riders late in the fourth and taking control of the ball for a last gasp drive, trailing 34-30 with less than two minutes to play, Jackson led the Lions downfield, connecting with Geroy Simon in the last minute of play to propel the Lions to a 37-34 lead, the Lions defence put the final nail in the coffin with an interception on the Riders last minute desperate drive downfield.
It was an ending that left the noisy and energetic Mosaic Field crowd stunned, unsure as to what to think of the remarkable final thirty minutes of what seemed like two separate games played in one match.
Jackson who appeared to be destined to have perhaps his worst pro game, instead came back from adversity and provided the leadership style more befitting a ten year veteran who has seen it all and done it all before. It was a solid reward for his head coach, who refused to panic and pull his quarterback from the game as the Lions struggled to find their footing.
By sticking with Jackson and watching his team bounce back with him, the confidence of the Lions understudy must have grown immensely on Saturday. With Buck Pierce in the wings and Dave Dickenson once again beginning light duties, Jackson made a serious statement that he is prepared to fight for his new found status as starter. The realities of depth chart football may soon return the Lions to a more familiar orbit, but Jackson has more than proved that when the pressure is on he is ready to deliver his team to a victory.
It was a confidence type win for the Lions and one that could further demoralize the Riders. Once again, they have let a victory get away from them; a dominant performance in the first thirty minutes couldn’t be sustained for the all important final thirty. It’s a troublesome trend that Kent Austin must solve quickly, otherwise those wild dreams of a few weeks ago of a march to the Grey Cup may not quite turn out as once was hoped.
The Lions still trailed heading into the fourth quarter, but battled on shutting down the Riders late in the fourth and taking control of the ball for a last gasp drive, trailing 34-30 with less than two minutes to play, Jackson led the Lions downfield, connecting with Geroy Simon in the last minute of play to propel the Lions to a 37-34 lead, the Lions defence put the final nail in the coffin with an interception on the Riders last minute desperate drive downfield.
It was an ending that left the noisy and energetic Mosaic Field crowd stunned, unsure as to what to think of the remarkable final thirty minutes of what seemed like two separate games played in one match.
Jackson who appeared to be destined to have perhaps his worst pro game, instead came back from adversity and provided the leadership style more befitting a ten year veteran who has seen it all and done it all before. It was a solid reward for his head coach, who refused to panic and pull his quarterback from the game as the Lions struggled to find their footing.
By sticking with Jackson and watching his team bounce back with him, the confidence of the Lions understudy must have grown immensely on Saturday. With Buck Pierce in the wings and Dave Dickenson once again beginning light duties, Jackson made a serious statement that he is prepared to fight for his new found status as starter. The realities of depth chart football may soon return the Lions to a more familiar orbit, but Jackson has more than proved that when the pressure is on he is ready to deliver his team to a victory.
It was a confidence type win for the Lions and one that could further demoralize the Riders. Once again, they have let a victory get away from them; a dominant performance in the first thirty minutes couldn’t be sustained for the all important final thirty. It’s a troublesome trend that Kent Austin must solve quickly, otherwise those wild dreams of a few weeks ago of a march to the Grey Cup may not quite turn out as once was hoped.
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For the Lions, the victory provides space, the win puts the Lions alone in first place in the west, now three points ahead of the Riders and with the all important season series firmly in the BC side of the ledger.
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