The Rod Pedersen Show has hit with #CFLsim

Virtual Cameron Judge does a sack dance on a big TV screen.

    The crew with The Rod Pedersen Show appears to have hammered a home run with a CFL simulation broadcast.

    On Friday night, The Rod Pedersen Show ran a Facebook Live broadcast of a virtual clash between the host Saskatchewan Roughriders and the visiting Montreal Alouettes. The virtual showdown played out on a Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football video game, and it occurred when the regularly schedule regular season game was supposed to happen between both sides.

    At the moment, real life CFL action has been sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the pandemic has no bearing on simulation games.

    Actually, #CFLsim games have been shown for a least a couple of weeks now on Twitch.tv.

    The Rod Pedersen Show elected to broadcast Friday’s game featuring the virtual Roughriders and reported picking up over 9,000 views are Facebook Live.
    Rod Pedersen provided the play-by-play of the broadcast, and Darren Dupont took on colour commentator duties.
    The action was swift and very enjoyable thanks to the outstanding efforts by Pedersen and Dupont. 

Virtual Nick Marshall makes an interception on my TV screen.

    Their commentary kept you glued to the broadcast that ran about 94 minutes in length.

    Pedersen was the Roughriders play-by-play voice for 20 years before Derek Taylor took on that role before the start of last season.

    With all due respect to Taylor who is a good and talented guy, it was refreshing to hear Pedersen doing a call of a Roughriders game, even a virtual one. For people in Saskatchewan, Pedersen’s call provided a feeling of normalcy.

    Dupont was ace on colour thanks to his knowledge of Canadian players, who played at the U Sports level.

    The broadcast began with the real Teagan Littlechief singing the Canadian national anthem. Littlechief is a regular anthem singer for real Roughriders games along with a number of other teams in Saskatchewan.

    She has developed a healthy fan following due to her spectacular rendition of O Canada.

    The virtual Roughriders came away with an 8-3 victory.

    The fans a virtual Mosaic Stadium cranked up the noise, when the Alouettes had the ball.
    After watching the game, one had to wonder if Roughriders receiver Mitchell Picton is the toughest player in the virtual CFL.

Friday’s #CFLsim game brought fun to this big TV screen.

    He handled most of the Roughriders punt return duties on Friday and was viciously erased on every return.

    Every time he touched the ball, Picton took the equivalent of a Ray Lewis hit or worse. Picton, who is an alumnus of the University of Regina Rams, got up each time and kept playing hard.

    Honestly, half the shots Picton absorbed on Friday would have eliminated fellow Rams alum in the ultra-tough Jason Clermont from the contest.

    Virtual defensive back Nick Marshall was a stud for the Roughriders and made as many big plays as the real life Marshall does.

    Viewers also learned virtual Roughriders linebacker Cameron Judge has an interesting sack celebration.

    The Rod Pedersen Show also showed comments from viewers who would make criticisms that are as colourful that occur during real life Roughriders post-game phone in shows.

    During the shutdowns that have occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual simulations of sporting events have proved to be popular.

    The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League developed a healthy following showing its junior A league playoffs via a virtual format. It is also a great way for these leagues to keep themselves on the forefront of people’s minds.

Darren Dupont, left, and Rod Pedersen commentate on a big TV screen.

    There have been virtual showings of NASCAR races from various NASCAR circuits too during the pandemic.

    For those that turned into Friday’s #CFLsim broadcast from The Rod Pedersen Show, they would have been very entertained. Checking out future broadcasts is a definite recommendation.

    During a time when it seems like there is so much bad in the world, The Rod Pedersen show gets huge kudos for Friday night’s fun viewing.

    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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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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Everything is better when the Roughriders win

The Roughriders get set to charge out of the tunnel at Mosaic Stadium.

    REGINA - Everything is better when the Saskatchewan Roughriders win, when you live in the “Land of the Living Skies.”

    On Friday night, the Saskatchewan Roughriders opened their 2018 regular season schedule downing the defending Grey Cup Champion Toronto Argonauts 27-19 before 29,788 spectators. At that moment when the Roughriders win and you live in Saskatchewan, everything becomes great.

    The sun rises bright and warm in the morning.

    That drive down from a centre outside Regina through piles of road construction no longer seems that bad.

    That Big Mac you eat at McDonald’s tastes better.

Fans dance at the tailgate party outside Mosaic Stadium.

    The person you are attracted to or your better half looks that much hotter.

    Two losses in the pre-season don’t seem that bad.

    The Roughriders players have an extra hop in their step when they meet the fans outside the stadium after the game.

    Newcomer Charleston Hughes looks just so good and natural wearing that green and white colour scheme making three sacks coming off the end of the defensive end. You feel bad he had to spend all those years wearing that awful red and white of the Calgary Stampeders.

Roughriders QB Zach Collaros fires a TD pass to Naaman Roosevelt.

    The vanilla latte at Starbucks takes that much sweeter.

    The coffee at Tim Horton’s is fresher.

    A post-game Pilsner goes down that much more smoothly.

    Brett Lauther’s one missed field goal doesn’t seem that much of a big deal. He made four-of-five kicks against the Argonauts and the 27-year-old becomes a field good story of perseverance kicking professional football since 2013 looking for a real chance to play and stick.

    Gainer the Gopher looks way more entertaining.

    Starting quarterback Zach Collaros looked that much more natural guiding the Roughriders offence. He completed 18-of-25 passes to nine different receiver for 203 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

    It was the 29-year-old’s first winning start since Sept. 16, 2016, when he guided the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to a 20-17 victory over the Montreal Alouettes. You know more wins are coming Collaros’ way.

Roughriders DB Ed Gainey knocks down a pass attempt.

    The farmer notices all his crops are coming up nice and healthy in the fields.

    The long days on the oil patch go that much more quickly.

    The Rider Cheer team is more awesome than they normally are.

    A trip out to the lake or the beach is so much more relaxing.

    You already envision the guilty pleasure of running over that minor speed bump known as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

    First-year cornerback Nick Marshall looks like a perfect fit taking an interception back 66 yards to the house against one of the CFL’s all-time greats in Argonauts quarterback Ricky Ray.

    Head coach and general manager Chris Jones looks way cooler in his black sunglasses and his all black attire.

    The noise at Mosaic Stadium sounds louder.

    The celebrations by the receivers seem a step more creative and humourous.

    You know seeing that win on television will urge those that didn’t go to the game to go to one in the future.

Roughriders OL Brendon LaBatte gets set to drill an Argos linebacker.

    All of a sudden, the work on the farm or any other occupation one is involved with can be put on hold to join the rest of Rider Nation for a few hours to have a good time.

    Running back Jerome Messam looks that much more powerful running through people for 72 yards on 21 carries.

    Linebacker Derrick Moncrief looks that much more intelligent showing up all over the field to make eight tackles.

    The blocks of offensive linemen Brendon LaBatte and Dan Clark look more powerful.

    The amount of fun increased at the pre-game tailgate party.

    The expensive meal at the fancy restaurant is well worth the money.

    The turnaround to play the Redblacks, who come off a bye week, in Ottawa this coming Thursday doesn’t look as daunting.

Gainer the Gopher meets the fans after a Roughriders touchdown.

    Here is to the Roughriders piling up whole bunch of more wins this season. At this moment after Friday’s win, your mood is so great you already envision the Roughriders lifting the Grey Cup over their heads on November 25 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

    At this point, the good times are going to roll, because the Roughriders have won a game.

    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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    If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.