With no chance at first in the West, Riders lose to Stamps

With their chances of finishing first place in the CFL West Division dashed away, the Saskatchewan Roughriders sat some starters in the regular season finale — a 27-12 loss to the Calgary Stampeders.

The game ended up having no meaning in the standings due to the result of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Montreal Alouettes game just hours before.

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With just over one minute left, the Als had the ball and were up by two points after Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo missed a 61-yard field goal. But after a two-and-out and a strong gust of wind, the Als punt was short which allowed Castillo to have a second chance to win it. He was good from 51 yards out to give the Bombers a 28-27 win and the West Division crown for a fourth year in a row.

Riders head coach Corey Mace said it felt like the team had an emotional letdown which led to their performance in Saturday’s contest.

“I wish it didn’t,” Mace said. “At halftime we spoke about it a little bit — and even before the game — the goal was always the goal. We want to go 1-0 … I just didn’t feel like we had the juice tonight and it showed.”

Defensive back Marcus Sayles admitted the Riders were paying attention to the game ahead of theirs.

“Unfortunately we didn’t get first place but at the same time, we were going to try go 1-0 today anyway,” Sayles said. “Unfortunately we didn’t get that win, but we’re going to watch that film and get better for next week, as it is playoff time.

“It was a letdown because we feel like we didn’t put our best foot forward. We’ve had way better games and way better energy and we can’t have that type of performance leading into the playoffs. I know a lot of starters didn’t play but it shouldn’t matter — it should be next man up and we should keep rolling.”

Due to the game not meaning things for the Riders’ playoff position, Mace elected to sit a number of starters,  including MOP candidate defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr., running back AJ Ouellette, and wide receivers Sam Emilus and KeeSean Johnson. Quarterback Trevor Harris still dressed but was moved to third-string duty and didn’t take a snap in the game.

Defensive back Deontai Williams, running back Frankie Hickson, wide receivers Joe Robustelli, and Colton Hunchak moved into starting spots for the game.

“We thought about it throughout the week and mentioned it to the guys towards the end of the week the potential roster moves and the scenarios that could present themselves. The timing of it worked out pretty good to make sure that guys were able to get a proper warmup and everything with whatever scenario we found ourselves in.

“Everybody understood the situation and we had no excuse tonight. It just didn’t turn out our way.”

Saskatchewan had won the four previous games after ending a seven-game winless streak.

“I live in the reality and one way or another, we are right where we are supposed to be,” Mace said. “You wish you (had won) one or two of those (losing games) … but our steps are ordered the way that they are and I believe for good reason.

“It feels negative tonight because we really wanted to win this game, but … I said, ‘hey, we have work to do tomorrow, so let’s go.'”

With the adversity the team faced during the day, Mace said he wanted to see a better response.

“It turned out to be another lesson for us just keeping that in the forefront,” Mace said. “If we keep chopping like we are supposed to, hopefully this is a game that can be a defining point for us that we have to tighten up.”

The game was played in front of an announced attendance of 22, 709 — the lowest total for a Riders’ game at Mosaic Stadium since it has been open.

Quarterback Shea Patterson started the game, completing five of 12 pass attempts for 56 yards. He was replaced just before halftime by Jack Coan, who would be taking his first CFL regular season snaps.

Coan finished the game with 100 yards and a touchdown — his first in the league.

“It was tough emotionally because you come into the day knowing you might possibly be playing, possibly might not and sure enough, it came down to the last second,” Coan said.

“It was bittersweet because we would have liked the first (round) bye and the home playoff game but, then again, I got to play so it feels good.”

Slotback Jerreth Sterns caught the touchdown pass from Coan in the game.

“I feel bad because I got rid of the ball — I wanted to give it to him. Jack’s one of those guys who works hard every day and shows up and is the same guy every day,” Sterns said. “I knew when he got in he would make the most of his opportunity and he just threw a great ball and I didn’t have to do much.”

Calgary quarterback Jake Maier, who started most of the games for the last-place Stamps, had 293 yards and three touchdowns in the contest, and Calgary running back Dedrick Mills had 128 rushing yards in the game.

Riders kicker Brett Lauther connected on both of his field goal attempts.

Stamps kicker Rene Paredes also connected on both of his field goal tries as well as all three of his point-after attempts.

The Riders will host the B.C. Lions in the CFL West semifinal on Nov. 2.

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