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The Saskatchewan Roughriders once again found the recipe for success — and it included a baker.
Wide receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker, a first-year CFLer from the University of Guelph, turned up the heat and delivered some big plays for the Riders as Saskatchewan beat the Toronto Argonauts 30-16 at Mosaic Stadium on Friday.
Schaffer-Baker caught nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in the CFL contest.
“He’s been playing amazing for us week after week for the past few weeks and he’s been doing great in practice,” said running back William Powell. “He shows flashes of what he can be every day at practice. We’re excited to see him keep getting better and excited to see him grow into an even better professional. He’s going to be a great player, just keep your eyes on him.”
Schaffer-Baker’s touchdown came on a play that saw him catch the ball near the line of scrimmage before taking off up field and running through three defenders en route to the 24-yard score. The fellow Canadian receiver Mitch Picton caught the two-point conversion following the touchdown.
And while Schaffer-Baker is often the last one to the team bus, head coach Craig Dickenson says the young receiver has been improving.
“He’s not late, he’s just right there at the end. We’re going to let guys be themselves here – as long as they work hard and put the team above themselves,” Dickenson said. “He’s putting in the work and he’s getting stronger. I think he’s finally tapping into the ability he’s always had.”
The rookie wide receiver was the weapon of choice all night for quarterback Cody Fajardo.
“(Schaffer-Baker) belongs in this league. I told him there’s no reason to think you’re a rookie – you’re a veteran as the weeks go on,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo, who was limited all week in practice while in concussion protocol, finished the game with 21 completions on 31 attempts for 212 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 58 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
It was a bounce back game for Fajardo and the Riders offence after two tough outings against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers that saw then score zero touchdowns.
“I was down in the dumps. There’s so many things that pop into your mind and going through concussion protocol all week and dealing with the first Labour Day game when I had my shoulder injury,” Fajardo said. “It was just a long two weeks for me and I went to every single person in that locker room and I just thanked them because this was really big for me.
“It was a big win to get my confidence back and to feel like I’m back to normal.”
Slotback Brayden Lenius caught Fajardo’s other aerial score.
Running back William Powell ran the ball effectively, gaining 122 yards on the ground.
“I feel like we are getting better (along the offensive line). Our chemistry is building and coaches are starting to trust us more and more in the run game so that’s always a good feeling when the coaches are confident in running the ball because it opens up everything and makes the pass plays more viable,” Powell said. “We just want to keep getting better in all facets.”
The Riders’ defence was susceptible to some big plays in the passing game, with Toronto quarterback Nick Arbuckle completing 22 of 33 attempts for 309 yards and two touchdowns and an interception.
But Saskatchewan forced two turnovers on fumbles and a pivotal goal-line stand to help give the Riders’ offence the ball back. The Riders were also able to get to Arbuckle four times and get sacks from defensive lineman Micah Johnson, defensive end Keion Adams, defensive lineman Jonathan Woodard and linebacker Deon Lacey.
“Any time you’re in there at that one-yard line and to get two or three cracks at it, you’re almost considering that a touchdown,” Johnson said. “To come out of that not giving up a touchdown, it’s a crazy situation and a crazy momentum swing.”
And most importantly for the Riders defence was that it was able too cut down on penalties that had been plaguing the team for the first few weeks. The Riders committed nine penalties for 80 yards on Friday. The previous game against the Bombers saw the Riders commit 16 penalties for 143 yards.
“Discipline was huge, coach was harping on that. We’ve been getting a lot of offsides and just different penalties that contributed to us losing,” Johnson said.
Riders kicker Brett Lauther was 2-for-4 on field-goal attempts in the game, with one of the missed kicks scoring a single point.
Argos kicker Boris Bede connected on his only field-goal attempt.
The Riders (4-2) are next in action against the B.C. Lions on Sept. 24.