10 Thoughts: Top takeaways from the Roughriders win in Toronto
For a third straight game, the Saskatchewan Roughriders sealed a victory in the final minute.
While it was the Green and White's defence securing wins in the first two weeks of the season, on Friday in Week 3 of the CFL season it was Mario Alford and the special teams unit helping Saskatchewan improve to 3-0.
After the Toronto Argonauts tied the game 32-32 with a touchdown in the final minute, Alford returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards to clinch the victory. It was the highlight of the game, which featured plenty of good and bad for the Green and White.
Here are the top takeaways from Saskatchewan's Week 3 contest:
1. This game was destined for overtime until Alford's kickoff return sealed the victory for the Roughriders. We highlighted Alford last week after his strong performance against Hamilton and he had another strong game on Friday, highlighted by his game-winning return. Earlier in the game, he also had a 35-yard return which he cut back inside to gain a few more yards instead of going out of bounds like he started doing last year. The league's top special teams player in 2022 has silenced any and all doubters at this point.
2. Either the Roughriders defence wasn't ready to play or the Argonauts dialed up the perfect play calls on their opening drive. Nick Arbuckle was six-for-six and threw a touchdown pass to Dejon Brissett on the opening drive of the game to give the home team a 7-0 lead. Bend and break. However, Saskatchewan's defence rebounded nicely with three straight two-and-outs before forcing a turnover on downs on the next drive. But then the group couldn't get a stop in the final minute like they did in the previous two weeks. They're still one of the best groups in the league.
3. Speaking of that turnover on downs, it came at the end of a 17-play, 76-yard drive. There aren't too many 17-play drives that end in zero points. There aren't many 17-play drives in general.
4. A.J. Ouellette is back to his all-star form. Following a 96-yard performance last week against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ouellette had 91 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Argos. He also pulled off a near identical touchdown run this week as he rumbled 25 yards into the end zone off the right side of the offensive line. He's looking like a patient runner this year and you have to wonder if the weight he dropped this off-season is also helping his game.
5. It was Samuel Emilus leading the way in Week 1 and KeeSean Johnson in Week 2. On Friday night, it was Dohnte Meyers' turn as he had a team high 125 receiving yards and two touchdowns for the Riders. With Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker on the injured list, the rest of Saskatchewan's receivers are stepping up, including Meyers and veteran Mitch Picton, who had a highlight-reel 33-yard catch in the game.
6. Cornerback Marcus Sayles should have had an interception in the final minute of the first half. Instead, he dropped it and the Argos tacked on a field goal at the end of the first half. Those three points could have totally changed how the fourth quarter played out. I guess you could say that about a lot of plays, including Brett Lauther's missed field goal in the fourth quarter, which could have basically iced the game for the Riders.
7. As for Lauther, he had a rough game last week as he missed three field goals and a convert. On Friday night, he was 5-for-5 on convert attempts but 1-for-2 on field goals with his miss coming from 33 yards. After his poor outing in Week 2, is that lone miss cause for concern? Not yet. Mainly because the team is 3-0 and Lauther has been one of the most clutch kickers over the last decade.
8. Tommy Stevens is a short-yardage quarterback, but his 19-yard run in the first quarter would suggest otherwise. He's the best in the league and not one but two yards seem like a guarantee when he pushes forward. Sure, Stevens later scored a touchdown from two yards out, but Saskatchewan's offence should keep quarterback Trevor Harris, a short-pass master, in the game when it's first-and-goal from Toronto's eight-yard line.
9. While Harris took a couple of big hits in the first half on Friday, the offensive line allowed just one sack while Saskatchewan's defence generated four sacks including one by linebacker A.J. Allen, who started his second straight game and continues to prove he's more than just a special teamer. 'The battle in the trenches' is a popular clinch but there's a reason why it's so popular — because it's true.
10. After being flagged just eight times in the first two games, Saskatchewan committed 18 penalties for 178 yards on Friday. Some of those were suspect calls, some were offsetting 15-yard player misconduct penalties (which I don't think I've ever seen that many called in a game) while others cost the Roughriders valuable field position. For whatever reason, the game seemed very heated and discipline is something head coach Corey Mace will be harping on at practice next week.
tshire@postmedia.com
Alford, Roughriders stun Argonauts in dying seconds to win 39-32
Up Close: Meet Roughriders receiver KeeSean Johnson
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