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In the first of two preseason games, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were on the losing end.
But the goal of these contests isn’t as much about getting the win as giving coaches game film to determine what their roster will look like at the end of training camp.
Saskatchewan lost 15-9 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Princess Auto Stadium as neither team scored a touchdown in the game.
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The Riders started veteran quarterback Trevor Harris in the contest, allowing him to get in just over a quarter of work. In that time, Harris finished the game with three completions on eight pass attempts for 38 yards.
Quarterback Jake Maier would then come in and remain in the game until around three minutes left in the third quarter. The newly acquired quarterback completed eight of 13 attempts for 80 yards but did throw the game’s only interception.
Jack Coan came in for Maier and ended his day with three completions for 58 yards. Tommy Stevens, who also had 15 rushing yards, had two completions for 21 yards.
One of the bright spots on offence for the team was running back Thomas Betrand-Hudon. The Canadian rusher had 41 yards on six carries. Starter AJ Ouellette also had an efficient day on the ground, averaging 8.7 yards per carry (three carries for 26 yards). Mario Anderson and Trent Pennix are the American running backs vying for the backup spot. Anderson had 16 yards on seven carries while Pennix had two yards on his only carry.
Brayden Misseri was the leading pass-catcher for the Riders in the game. The undrafted free agent had three catches for 51 yards.
On special teams, Drae McCray did a lot of the work in the return game for the Riders. That included a 51-yard kick return in the second quarter. He is expected to push the returning Mario Alford for the returner role this training camp.
On defence the Riders bent but didn’t break, only surrendering points on five Sergio Castillo field goals.
Defensive back Marcus Sayles and defensive ends Lake Korte-Moore and Benoit Marion all had sacks in the game. Marion’s strip-sack forced the only turnover by the Riders as defensive tackle Alex Gubner came up with the fumble recovery.
One of the bright spots for the Riders was the play of safety Jaxon Ford. With Nelson Lokombo not dressed for the game, Ford was given the start at the position. The third-year CFLer had five total tackles and made plays for the defence.
Kicker Brett Lauther was good on two of his three field goal attempts in the game. Brian Garrity, who was signed by the Riders on May 17, came up really short on his first field goal attempt from 48 yards out. He did connect on his second attempt from 18 yards.
While preseason contests can be filled with penalties, that wasn’t the case between these two clubs. Saskatchewan only had four penalties for 25 yards. The Bombers had three infractions for 35 yards.
Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros looked good in the game, completing 10 of 13 attempts for 93 yards. Chris Streveler came into the game in the second quarter and completed six passes for 49 yards.
Streveler could be the team’s starter for Week 2 of the regular season, as Collaros was suspended for a game by the CFL for failing to communicate with drug testing officials in the off-season. The Bombers have a bye in the opening week of the season.
Terry Wilson was the third quarterback in for the Bombers and had 72 yards on 6-of-8 passing. Chase Artopoeus had five completions for 43 yards.
The reigning CFL most outstanding player Brady Oliveira only carried the ball twice for 11 yards. Running back Quinton Cooley was one of the more dynamic weapons for the Bombers in the game, recording 36 rushing yards and 36 receiving yards.
The Riders return to Regina to continue training camp on May 26.
Saskatchewan will take on the Bombers in the second preseason game between the clubs on May 30. Final cuts need to be made by the end of camp on May 31.
The Riders open the regular season at home on June 5 against the Ottawa Redblacks.
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