Rob Vanstone: Rider replay — a closer look at Sunday's 36-20 victory over Hamilton
06/25/2024 02:37 PM
Welcome to the latest edition of PVRoughriders — the inevitable outcome when an inveterate football nerd monopolizes the remote control and starts rewinding and reviewing every play.
This is not done, I should assert, with the insight a coach would provide.
But thanks to the comfort a couch does provide, I was able to re-watch the Saskatchewan Roughriders' 36-20 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats until most meaningful moments from Sunday's CFL game were committed to memory.
What stands out?
THEY WERE WARNED!
The day before the game, Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris was asked for his thoughts on opponents who crowd the line of scrimmage with the objective of repelling the run or pressuring the passer.
"Please do," Harris replied. "I love that.
"If you want to load the box, go ahead. Please play man (coverage).
"Blitz me … please."
The Tiger-Cats obliged 11 minutes into the first quarter, aiming two linebackers (one on a delayed blitz) and four defensive linemen toward Harris.
With one-on-one coverage downfield, Harris spotted rookie Ajou Ajou, who had lined up in the left slot and used his long stride to breeze past defensive back Kenneth George Jr.
The result was a 40-yard touchdown.
Harris beat the blitz by releasing the football just 1.78 seconds after receiving the snap from centre Peter Godber.
A comparable play had unfolded late in the fourth quarter of the Roughriders' June 8 regular-season opener against the host Edmonton Elks.
On second-and-eight, the Elks ordered up an all-out blitz. Harris quickly took note of a one-on-one matchup that favoured wideout Shawn Bane Jr. A 33-yard TD pass resulted.
The extra pressure was neutralized by the quick release of Harris. The pass was unloaded in just 1.53 seconds.
CONTACT LENS
We took a close look at A.J. Ouellette's 24 touches on Sunday.
The conclusion: He likely emerged from the game with an assortment of bruises, as did anyone who attempted to impede his path.
On 20 rushes, Ouellette made contact 37 times. He was hit by four Tiger-Cats on one play, and by three opponents on three other rushes.
Ouellette's four receptions led to five collisions.
The overall tally: 24 touches, 41 hits.
As well, Ouellette picked up a blitzing linebacker (Trevor Hoyte) to buy some extra time for Harris on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Emilus.
Ouellette also made an important block when Bane Jr. gained seven yards on second-and-three.
On Ouellette's longest rush of the day — 19 yards — key blocks were made by left guard Ryan Sceviour, right guard Logan Ferland and fullback Clint Ratkovich.
RIDERS FACE TIGER(-CATS') WOODS
The tone was set on the opening kickoff, when a Lawrence Woods III fumble was forced by Thomas Bertrand-Hudon and recovered by Roughriders teammate Christian Albright.
Just before Woods III fielded Brett Lauther's kickoff, Bertrand-Hudon was flattened by Benoit Marion. Undaunted, the Roughriders running back got up and made a beeline for Woods III before dislodging the football.
Two plays later, Harris and Emilus collaborated on the game's first TD.
MARIO'S MOVING
Mario Alford moved up two spots — to sixth — on the Roughriders' career punt-return yardage list.
With six returns for 106 yards, he increased his total in green and white to 1,680 yards and leapfrogged Fran McDermott (1,609) and Albert Brown (1,599).
Corey Holmes leads the way at 3,440, followed by Gene Wlasiuk (3,296), Stewart Fraser (2,008), Jim Walter (1,882), Harry Lunn (1,726) and Alford.
Barring injury or unforeseen circumstances, Alford should be third on the All-Time list by season's end.
The six returns on Sunday increased Alford's total to 150 as a Roughrider. He moved past Paul Williams (147) and Willis Jacox (146) on Sunday and is now 13th overall.
Ahead of Alford in career punt returns: Wlasiuk (549), Walter (256), Fraser (256), Holmes (249), Lunn (247), Jim Copeland (227), McDermott (186), 2024 SaskTel Plaza of Honour inductee Steve Molnar (185), Terryl Ulmer (172), Brown (164), Tristan Jackson (164) and Bob Kosid (155).
Alford's longest return on Sunday was a 46-yarder. Key blocks: Deontai Williams, Adam Auclair, Melique Straker.
FAST FACTS
• Four of Emilus's seven CFL touchdowns have been scored in a Roughriders home opener. He caught his first three TD passes on June 16, 2023 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Just 1:05 into Sunday's game, Harris found Emilus for another score.
• Rolan Milligan Jr.'s interception on Sunday was his first at Mosaic Stadium. His previous three CFL picks, dating back to 2022, had been registered in Alberta (two in Edmonton, one in Calgary).
• Milligan Jr. has seven special teams tackles over the past two games.
• Thurman has three turnovers in as many games as a Roughrider. The tally: Two fumble recoveries, one interception.
• Saskatchewan's first two interceptions took place when a Roughrider deflected the football and a teammate completed the play. Avery tipped the football to Thurman on the pick-six. Shortly thereafter, a Marcus Sayles deflection led to the first CFL interception by DaMarcus Fields.
