‘I couldn’t tell you who is in the lead:’ Backup QB battle heats up for pre-season game

While there’s no question the Saskatchewan Roughriders are Trevor Harris’ team in 2023, who will back up the veteran is an open competition.

With 18 regular-season games, it’s rare that a CFL quarterback manages to start every game, so it’s important for teams to have at least two quality arms on their depth chart.

One of the more intriguing training camp battles that have emerged at Griffiths Stadium is for the backup quarterback spot. The competition has been fierce between Mason Fine, Jake Dolegala, and Shea Patterson.

“They are all getting a lot of reps. I think all three of them bring different things to the table so it really is a unique and exciting group,” head coach Craig Dickenson said. “I couldn’t tell you who is in the lead or who is trailing. They are all doing a good job.”

All three could be given ample opportunity to shine in the preseason game against the B.C. Lions on Saturday with Harris being in Ohio for the birth of his third child, Tripp. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

Fine was entering his third season with the Riders and was the primary backup last season. He was the QB the team turned to start the final two games of the 2022 regular season, both against the Calgary Stampeders. Fine threw for 346 yards and a touchdown over two losses.

“I have a passion for the game and I love it and I care about my teammates. When I step out on the field, I am getting first downs and scoring points and just having a good time as a quarterback,” Fine said.

“Having those two games to start the end of the year last year, it was a great experience having game experience like that. You take from that, you learn and try to replicate that and not make the same mistakes once training camp starts.”

Also back for another year with the Riders is Dolegala. The 6-foot-7 quarterback was primarily on the practice roster in 2022 but started a July 24 game with the Toronto Argonauts with a lot of the team missing the game after a COVID outbreak.

Dolegala threw for 131 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also saw action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sept. 10 after a stomach flu ravaged the Riders.

“Both games I played in last year were weird situations – basically half our team was out in both of those games,” Dolegala said. “You can pull from that and learn from it.

“The (battle) has been fun. Everyone has been flashing. Mason and Shea are doing a heck of a job and making plays all over the place so I’m just trying to keep up with them, to be honest.”

Patterson was a highly touted high school prospect who played his college ball at Ole Miss and Michigan.

But success hasn’t translated to the pros quite yet, with Patterson signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2020, spending 2021 with the Lions and Montreal Alouettes, and then playing 2022 in the USFL, going 1-5 in games in which he started.

But perhaps a stop in the Land of Living Skies can turn things around for the 26-year-old.

“I’ve had a blast so far. This is the most fun I’ve had playing football for a long time. We’ve got a great group of guys and I feel like we are starting to come together pretty well,” Patterson said. “We have four guys who can go out there and win games.

“I’ve been in so many quarterback battles and in so many quarterback rooms, I respect everyone and for me, it’s just about being better than I was the day before.”

The Riders’ depth chart on Friday listed Dolegala as the team’s No. 1 pivot for the game. He admits the contest is a great chance for the quarterbacks to show the coaches they can handle the role.

“It’s going to be huge. I don’t know how we are going to split reps and whatnot but when you get out there, you’ve got to make plays,” Dolegala said. “You’ve got to show the GM and these coaches what you’re able to do.”

The Green Zone pre-game show starts at 3 p.m. on 980 CJME and 650 CKOM.