What an NCAA rule change might mean for junior hockey in Sask.
Nov 18, 2024
Previously, WHL players were declared ineligible to play NCAA hockey in the U.S.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders couldn’t overcome a 15-point halftime deficit as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers played spoiler in the Labour Day Classic.
Winnipeg jumped out to a 15-point lead to end the first half and the Riders couldn’t make up the difference in the second, losing 35-33.
“Disheartening to not get this one, for sure,” said Riders quarterback Trevor Harris.
Harris scored on a one-yard rush with 15 seconds left to get within two points but Harris’ throw was broken up on the convert attempt.
“That one I didn’t locate him and it’s unfortunate,” Harris said. “I’ll wake up in the middle of the night thinking of that one.”
Saskatchewan had a chance to win the game after kicker Brett Lauther kicked an on-side kick which the Riders recovered.
After a pass interference call, Lauther lined up for a 60-yard field goal but came up short on the long kick.
“We thought we were a little bit closer than we were — we backed the ball up and things moved pretty quick,” head coach Corey Mace said. “They spotted it where they spotted it and we had to take a rip at it.”
The Riders are now winless in six straight games (0-5-1) and fall all the way down to third in the CFL’s West Division due to the Bombers and B.C. Lions both picking up wins Labour Day weekend.
“It’s no more rah-rah speeches or stuff like that — it’s prove it. Go and get results but do it through the process of doing the right thing play after play and drive after drive,” Harris said. “I know some people might think I’m crazy but I wouldn’t want to be with any other group in the league than this group right here. We have the DNA of a championship team and I think we’re going to look back here in a month and a half and like where we are at.”
Mace said there were multiple things they could have done better in the game.
“We got cats stepping up and doing whatever the heck they can for this team and I applaud the hell out of that but the standard is the standard — I will never step off of that. We have to capitalize on the plays and our opportunities and there were some out there we didn’t.
“Stick with us … We’re holding onto each other tight. Our fanbase is the best fanbase in the world. If you’ve seen anything about this team, we will play our ass off. If a couple fall our way, being as tight as it is in the west right now, we can be having a different conversation in a month. Stick with us.”
One of the big plays of the game was when returner Mario Alford had a ball bounce in front of him and off on an angle that got away from him when he reached for it, which led to a Bombers touchdown when it was recovered in the end zone.
Zach Collaros didn’t play in the second half of the game after being hit in the head near the end of the second quarter. Collaros finished the game with 218 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Collaros has a history of concussions in the CFL.
“You just worry,” Harris said. “He’s first and foremost a friend of mine. We’re ultra competitors but you never want to see one of the star quarterbacks go down.
“Just hoping and praying he’s alright.”
Chris Streveler came into the game and finished it for the Bombers. Along with two rushing touchdowns, Streveler had 46 passing yards.
Harris enjoyed a nice bounceback game after struggling in the team’s 20-19 loss to the Toronto Argonauts last week. He finished the game with 368 yards and three touchdowns.
“That’s what we expect from him,” said wide receiver Dohnte Meyers, who caught his first CFL touchdown in the game. “(Trevor) is a leader. We always expect him to rise to the occasion and lead us down there. We just follow his lead and make plays when he throws it up there.”
The Riders once again dealt with more injuries to their offensive line with both centre Peter Godber and guard Zach Fry both going down with injuries.
“I’ve been here since ’19 when I was a junior and I have always seen this room collapse with injuries. The difference this year is we have guys who step up to the plate and nothing changes,” said Logan Ferland, who started the game at guard but had to finish it at centre.
Due to Fry’s injury in the middle of the third quarter, defensive tackle Micah Johnson, who leads the league with six sacks, had to play the rest of the game on the offensive line.
“That O-line stuff is crazy. The D-line is easy,” Johnson said. “The guys around me, all of them made it easy for me. Just talking me through all the situations on the sidelines and what to expect and just constant communication throughout the play.”
Now the Riders will head to Winnipeg to meet the Bombers in the Labour Day rematch — also known as the Banjo Bowl. Riders defensive back Marcus Sayles was a member of the Bombers from 2018-19 and knows what sort of environment they are going into to try and get back in the win column.
“It’s going to be a tough game. I know their crowd is going to be as intense as here,” said Sayles, who had an interception in the game.
The Riders’ defence was once again able to hold running back Brady Oliveira in check. After only surrounding 49 yards to the CFL’s leading rusher in the first meeting between the two clubs, he only had 42 yards in this game.
Lauther made two of three field goal attempts. Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo was good on both of his attempts and one of his kickoffs led to a rouge.
Kickoff for the rematch on Saturday is set for 1 p.m.
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