I almost did not get to watch the Riders last dramatic game of 2021.
While Sharon and I are enjoying a cruise that is currently off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean it is difficult to view Canadian television. The ship television has one international sports channel focused on soccer. My satellite contract does not extend outside Canada. TSN is not directly accessible. The CFL international games package is not available in the Caribbean. ESPN+ was too complicated for me. Nord VPN would not connect.
Saturday night I had resigned myself to listening to the game on Sirius XM. However, Saskatchewan people are resourceful. Speaking to my sons, Jon and Mike, in Calgary Sunday morning we figured out that FaceTime video was working. Mike propped up his laptop computer in front of his TV and I watched the game by watching his TV over FaceTime.
I was reminded of the fall some years ago when Mike was a law student in Copenhagen listening to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Grey Cup on his phone by listening to the broadcast through his brother’s phone.
I had modest expectations before the Dec. 5 game. I know Cody Fajardo had spoken of the Riders playing hard against the Winnipeg Bombers in both losses and being in each game for over a half but they had certainly not finished well in either game.
In the West final, the Rider defence was stalwart, especially in the first half, when they were gifted an interception when Nic Demski fumbled a touchdown catch into the air and then forced another four turnovers. Winipeg had six possessions in the half with five ending in turnovers and the other a touchdown. It is a rare day a CFL team does not have any punts in a half of football.
While the Bombers were turning over the ball the Rider offence had no consistency. As always the Bombers were strong against the run and getting heavy pressure.
I thought the pivotal plays were two missed passes by Cody to Paul McRobers. He did not give McRoberts room to stay in bounds on one play and overthrew him on another. While he has never said it I feel at times Cody rushes a throw as he expects pressure to reach him.
While much maligned for 2021 I thought the offensive line continued to show improvement. The Bombers got pressure but the line gave Cody more time to throw than in the previous two games. I hope the Riders can keep the line together as I believe they will be a good unit in 2022. In fact, I hope they will look at an all Canadian line. Matt Riley from Melfort will be ready to be a major contributor. The Montreal Alouettes had so many player options when they had an all Canadian offensive line during most of the Anthony Calvillo years.
In the second half Winnipeg had control of the game with their powerful rushing attack but not dominance. Andrew Harris certainly appeared far healthier than a game time decision as he gained 136 yards rushing during the game.
I thought the Rider defence looked a little tired in the third and fourth quarters. Dickenson spoke of the Riders not having the ball as much as they wanted in the second half.
Still the Bombers scored on only two possessions in the half.
As customary the Rider offence started moving the ball better after halftime though Cody began by overthrowing Duke Williams for a touchdown on the first possession.
When he returned to the field the Riders were trailing and that second half switch he has had for much of the season flipped and he played well through the end of the game starting with a brilliant touchdown throw to Williams.
As inevitable, the game came down to the final minute with the Riders final drive preserved by a doubtful third down reception by Williams. Playing on a bad toe he showed the “dog” in him leading Rider receivers with 108 yards.
Had Williams not been injured on his heroic third down reception, the final Rider pass of the season would have been thrown to him rather than Mitchell Picton. I expect he would have caught it for he would have been moving to the ball rather than waiting for the ball. Cody said it was hard for Picton to go in after sitting all game but Picton should have gone after the ball.
The Bombers won over the Riders 10-7.
Dickenson had the Riders ready, as they have been since he took over coaching the team, to play the Bombers. He said he was proud of the team. They lost to the better team on Sunday. I expect next year will be better in Riderville.
