Bring on the Bombers – Rider Nation feeling sky high about their Roughriders

Naaman Roosevelt throws his touchdown reception ball into the crowd.

    REGINA, Sask. – “Winnipeg Blue Bombers, we want you!”

    If you are a fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, you are dreaming big dreams right now. On Saturday before 32,328 members of Rider Nation at Mosaic Stadium, the Roughriders hammered the Ottawa Redblacks 40-18 in a CFL regular season clash.

    The win was the fifth in a row for the Roughriders helping them improve to 6-3, while the Redblacks fell to 3-7. In the immediate aftermath of that game, you are likely in an overreaction state of bliss, if you cheer for the Roughriders.

Kyran Moore, right, head up field after making a catch.

    Next up – the Labour Day Classic.

    The Roughriders return to action on Sunday, Sept. 1, when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who lead the CFL’s West Division at 8-2, at 1 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

    As a Roughriders fan, you are thinking, “Blue Bombers, we are going to kick your (explanative)!”

    This should not come as any sort of bulletin board material for the Winnipeg side. Roughriders fans relish seeing the Blue Bombers lose, and that is a safe given fact.

Cody Fajardo (#7) throws a touchdown pass for the Roughriders.

    The only team Roughriders fans likely love to see lose more than the Blue Bombers are the hated Calgary Stampeders.

    Plus, excitement skyrockets because the Labour Day Classic game between the Roughriders and Blue Bombers is usually an annual celebration of Rider Nation. That celebration is usually topped by the fact the Roughriders seemingly never lose that game.

    The Roughriders have won 13 of the last 14 Labour Day Classic games. I have attended 18 editions of the Labour Day Classic and the Roughriders have a 16-2 record against the Blue Bombers in those outings.

    On top of all that, the Roughriders looked great in Saturday’s win over the Redblacks. Coming off the bye week, the Roughriders put together a total team win.

Gainer the Gopher makes his rounds after a Roughriders touchdown.

    The host side was opportunistic putting the boots to Ottawa early scoring 17 points off turnovers in the first quarter to go ahead 17-0.

    Roughriders defensive back Nick Marshall intercepted Redblacks starting quarterback Dominique Davis for the first turnover. That set up a short three-play 21-yard touchdown drive that was capped by a four-yard scoring run by tailback William Powell to give the Roughriders a 7-0 lead.

    On Ottawa’s next series, Davis was picked by Roughriders defensive back L.J. McCray. That set up a short five-play 39-yard scoring drive that was capped by a 14-yard scoring run by rising star quarterback Cody Fajardo, which put the Roughriders up 14-0.

    On Ottawa’s next series, Davis was picked by Roughriders linebacker Derrick Moncrief. 

Redblacks RT Evan Johnson battles Roughriders RE Charleston Hughes. 

    Davis wouldn’t return under centre after that play as he was pulled for backup quarterback Jonathon Jennings.

    Saskatchewan turned Davis’s third interception into a 46-yard field goal from Brett Lauther to give the host a 17-0 lead.

    The Roughriders edge extended to 20-0 early in the second quarter on 43-yard field goal from Lauther.

    While the Redblacks battled back eventually getting the score to a 21-12 advantage in favour of the Roughriders at one point in the second quarter, it never felt like the visitors would rally back all the way.

    Saskatchewan pulled away from that point. Lauther hit a 49-yard field goal to give the Roughriders a 24-12 advantage at halftime.

    Punter Jon Ryan hit a 56-yard punt single in the third quarter to go with his 51-yard punt single in the second quarter to put the Roughriders up 25-12.

Roughriders DT Makana Henry charges at the quarterback.

    After kicker Lewis Ward nailed a 44-yard field goal for the Redblacks to cut the Roughriders edge to 25-15, Fajardo hit Roughriders receiver Naaman Roosevelt for a 15-yard touchdown toss to give the Roughriders a 32-15 lead before the third quarter came to a close.

    In the fourth quarter, a 32-yard missed field goal single from Lauther and a 23-yard touchdown run from Powell rounded out the Roughriders scoring.

    Ward had three other field goals to go with his third quarter kick for the Redblacks. Jennings hit receiver Dominique Rhymes with a 75-yard touchdown toss in the second quarter, but Ward missed the convert after that score.

    On the day, the Roughriders forced five turnovers while not committing any turnovers themselves. Defensive end Charleston Hughes and defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy each forced and recovered fumbles to go with the three interceptions their Saskatchewan teammates caught in the first quarter.

The Roughriders pour off their bench to mark their win.

    Fajardo had a solid game completing 24-of-36 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown. He ran the ball five times for 38 yards and his major score.

    In this game, Fajardo just needed to be a cog in the machine as his team fired in all facets of the game. As a team, the Roughriders piled up 122 yards on the ground.

    When you cheer for the Roughriders, there is always a fear the floor will fall out from under the team without any notice. It always feels like the breaks go against the Roughriders more than they go for the Roughriders over the long haul.

    Currently in the present, this feels like it could be a blessed season.

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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