Roughriders defense crucial in 19-9 win over Blue Bombers

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By Jeff DeDekker

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REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders returned to the win column on Friday with a 19-9 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Riders were coming off their first loss of the CFL season, a 35-20 defeat to the host BC Lions on July 13. The win improved Saskatchewan’s record to 5-1 while the Bombers moved to 2-5. The loss ended a two-game winning streak for Winnipeg.

The Riders scored the game’s only touchdown midway through the third quarter when quarterback Shea Patterson orchestrated a six-play, 83-yard drive. He completed four of four passes for 62 yards on the drive, which ended with a 15-yard touchdown pass to running back Clint Ratkovich. It was the first CFL touchdown for the 26-year-old rookie and gave the Riders a 13-6 lead.

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On Winnipeg’s next possession, quarterback Zach Collaros drove the Bombers to the Saskatchewan 25-yard line. On a first-down play, Collaros was flushed out of the pocket and threw an ill-conceived pass back against the wire that was intercepted by Riders linebacker Adam Auclair.

The Riders took over at their own 22-yard line and moved the ball deep into Winnipeg territory. After a 29-yard pass interference penalty on Winnipeg’s Tyrell Ford, Patterson connected with rookie receiver Ajou Ajou on a 34-yard completion to the Winnipeg 18-yard line. Ajou took a short throw from Patterson in the flat and broke a tackle from Winnipeg veteran linebacker Adam Bighill to escape down the sideline for the big gain.

Willie Jefferson got some of that yardage back with a 16-yard sack of Patterson on the next play. After an 11-yard run by AJ Ouellette, the Riders extended their lead to 16-6 with a 31-yard field goal by Brett Lauther on the opening play of the fourth quarter.

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The Bombers cut the lead to 16-9 with 5:51 left in the fourth quarter thanks to a 31-yard field goal by Sergio Castillo, his third field goal of the game.

Saskatchewan’s defense, which has built a reputation for creating turnovers this season, came up with a big play with 2:36 left in the game. Bombers receiver Nik Demski caught a 20-yard pass at the Saskatchewan 25-yard line, but Riders linebacker Jameer Thurman knocked the ball loose, giving the home team control at the 29-yard line.

Ajou brought the Riders into Winnipeg territory with a 46-yard reception. It was his fourth catch of the game for 110 yards, and it set up Lauther’s fourth field goal of the game with 1:32 remaining. The 31-yard field goal extended Saskatchewan’s lead to 19-9.

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There was a bit of a melee late in the game after Bighill tackled Patterson who was trying to run out the clock. The Riders took offense to the hit, which was right in front of their bench, and confronted Bighill. The Bombers then also ran onto the field.

Both teams struggled to move the ball in the first half, with the only scoring coming from the kickers. Castillo was successful from 35 and 56 yards, while Lauther scored from 28 and 41 yards. Castillo came up short on a field goal attempt from 61 yards late in the second quarter.

NEXT ONE

Blue Bombers: Visit the Toronto Argonauts (3-2) on Saturday, July 27.

Roughriders: Visit the Montreal Alouettes (5-1) on Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 19, 2024.

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