On Saturday evening under the prairie skies of Saskatoon, Griffiths Stadium roared to the sound of Saskatchewan Roughriders football for the first time ever. It had also been 35 years since the Green and White last played an exhibition game in Saskatoon. At the top of everybody’s wish list was a Roughrider victory.
Not only did the 7,654 fans in attendance get to witness a win, but it was a classic late fourth quarter drive to secure the win C-F-L style. If that’s not storybook enough, the touchdown was scored by non-other than former University of Saskatchewan Huskie star Daniel Wiebe. Like he did on any given night at Griffiths Stadium, he brought the crowd to their feet to celebrate a victory in a sea of green, only this time it was Roughrider green cheering his name…..
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First possession of the ball game belonged to Winnipeg with Zach Collaros starting under center. His favourite target was Tim White, connecting three times for 57-yards, his biggest gain being a 22-yard pickup en route to a short two-yard rush from Brady Oliveira.
Saskatchewan responded on their first drive with Trevor Harris getting his first taste of pre-season action as he connected with KeeSean Johnson for a 48-yard pickup and Kian Schaffer-Baker for 24-yards as they marched into the redzone. A short three-yard handoff to A.J. Ouellette found the endzone, tying the game at 7-7.
Each of Saskatchewan and Winnipeg’s opening drives was the only time the starting offence stepped onto the field, showing very little rust.
The quarterback matchup for the remainder of the first half was Jack Coan for Saskatchewan and Canadian Taylor Elgersma making his Winnipeg Blue Bomber debut. During the second play of his first drive, Jack Coan threw a pick-six to Evan Holm giving Winnipeg the lead 14-7. Taylor Elgersma struggled with the passing game early but found success with his running back Matthew Peterson late in a quarter that helped setup a 50-yard field goal from Brady Lidster, increasing the Bombers lead to 17-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Mario Anderson started the second quarter with the longest rush from any running back in the game, exploding for a 30-yard dash, resulting in a 51-yard field goal from Jonathan Kim cutting into Winnipeg’s lead, now 17-10. The Roughriders carried that momentum into the start of Winnipeg’s next drive with Jaylen Pate recording the first sack of the game on Taylor Elgersma. Not fazed by the shaky start, Elgersma helped drive the play down field for a 44-yard field goal attempt for Lidster, this one falling short and pinning the Riders deep in their own zone.
Jack Coan did his best to pull the Riders out of trouble, connecting with Mathew Sexton for a 9-yard gain and handing the ball off to Quali Conley four different times for 26 of his 32 total yards on the night. Still on their side of field and facing third down, Oscar Chapman left his mark on the game with a 73-yard punt falling into Winnipeg’s endzone and resulting in a rouge for Saskatchewan, now a 17-11 Bomber lead.
Taylor Elgersma and the Blue Bomber offence struggled during the remaining part of the second quarter while Jack Coan and the Riders offence started to gain some momentum, especially with Mathew Sexton as they connected twice for 20-yards. Alex Hale attempted a 57-yard field goal and missed for Saskatchewan, although late in the quarter Jonathan Kim fired home a 40-yarder pulling Saskatchewan within three at 17-14 to end the half.
The quarterback matchup remained the same to start the second half with Saskatchewan repeating what Winnipeg accomplished on their opening drive. An eight-play third quarter opening drive resulted in Jack Coan connecting with Johnny Johnson III for a 12-yard touchdown pass and giving the Roughriders the lead for the first time at 21-17. Taylor Elgersma tried to respond for Winnipeg but had a pass picked off by James Burgess Jr.
Now in at quarterback for Saskatchewan was Brayden Schager, who had a strong showing against Calgary last weekend and was looking to continue his impressive training camp. Schager had a strong opening drive that began connecting with Abdul Janneh Junior for a gain of 14 yards, and again later for 11. After a few incomplete passes, Winnipeg’s defence came up huge with Ridge Texada picking off a Schager pass intended for Daniel Wiebe.
The dualling interceptions battled continued after Taylor Elgersma led an impressive drive down field, he was picked off by the Roughriders first-round selection in this year’s C-F-L draft Malcom Bell, giving Saskatchewan the ball back to end the third quarter.
Adversity hit the Roughriders during their opening drive of the fourth quarter after what looked to be a sack for Winnipeg on Brayden Schager, turned into a roughing the passer penalty that pulled Schager out of the game for the time being. His helmet was ripped off and was poked in the eye, requiring quick attention from the medical staff and returned to action during Saskatchewan’s next series.
Bryce Perkins was now under center for Winnipeg in the fourth quarter looking to mount a comeback. Perkin’s first series was a quick two-and-out but had his second chance come much sooner thanks to Winnipeg’s defence. Brayden Schager’s first play since returning from injury earlier in the quarter was a pick-six to Ja’Kobe Clinton, a 41-yard return to the house and giving Winnipeg the lead back at 24-21. A few series later, Brady Lidster increased Winnipeg’s lead to 27-21 with a 33-yard field goal.
Late in the game and down 24-21, it was Saskatchewan’s turn to try and mount a comeback. Brayden Schager was still under center for the Roughriders, playing with one eye as we all found out after the game. With 1:45 left in the game and starting at their own 11-yard line, Brayden Schager started the drive with a 39-yard drive to Abdul Janneh Junior. Schager connected with Janneh Junior for a second time to cross over into Winnipeg’s side of the field. Schager connected with D’Sean Mimbs for a 13-yard gain, then with the former USask Huskie standout Daniel Wiebe for 7-yards, plus a Winnipeg roughing the passer penalty to bring Saskatchewan into the redzone.
The perfect storybook ending began taking shape. From Winnipeg’s 3-yard line, Schager found Daniel Wiebe once again, this time in the endzone bringing Griffiths Stadium to its feet just like he did so many times as a Huskie. With the Roughriders now holding a 31-27 lead, the defence secured the win thanks to Vi Jones picking off Bryce Perkins with six seconds left in the game.
Fans of the Green and White from up north may have had to wait 35 years to see an exhibition game in the Bridge City, but it’s safe to say tonight’s showing was well worth the wait.
Below are game and individual stats from the Canadian Football League, plus media scrums with Head Coach Corey Mace, quarterback Brayden Schager, quarterback Jack Coan, receiver Daniel Wiebe, and linebacker Nick Wiebe……
WINNIPEG – PASSING
#13 Taylor Elgersma (6/13 Attempts for 78 Yards – 2 Interceptions)
#9 Bryce Perkins (5/9 Attempts for 67 Yards – 1 Interception)
#8 Zach Collaros (3/4 Attempts for 57 Yards)
WINNIPEG – RUSHING
#22 Matthew Peterson (6 Attempts for 14 Yards)
#13 Taylor Elgersma (4 Attempts for 18 Yards)
#25 Michael Chris-Ike (3 Attempts for 17 Yards)
#20 Brady Oliveira (3 Attempts for 3 Yards – 1 TOUCHDOWN)
WINNIPEG – RECEIVING
#17 Dorian Singer (6 Targets/3 Receptions for 59 Yards)
#12 Tim White (3 Targets/3 Receptions for 57 Yards)
#81 Joey Corcoran (3 Targets/3 Receptions for 31 Yards)
#86 Kevens Clercius (3 Targets/2 Receptions for 23 Yards)
#88 Kolby Hurford (1 Target/1 Reception for 18 Yards)
WINNIPEG – DEFENCE
#39 Jaylen Smith (5 Defensive Tackles – 1 QUARTERBACK SACK)
#0 Cam Allen (3 Defensive Tackles)
#16 Jake Kelly (3 Defensive Tackles)
#37 Ridge Texada (2 Defensive Tackles – 1 INTERCEPTION)
#99 Cameron Lawson (1 Defensive Tackles – 1 QUARTERBACK SACK)
#56 Ja’Kobe Clinton (1 Defensive Tackles – 1 INTERCEPTION)
#31 Evan Holm (1 INTERCEPTION)
SASKATCHEWAN – PASSING
#10 Brayden Schager (14/19 Attempts for 179 Yards – 1 TOUCHDOWN/2 Interceptions)
#14 Jack Coan (10/18 Attempts for 100 Yards – 1 TOUCHDOWN/1 Interception)
#7 Trevor Harris (3/3 Attempts for 82 Yards)
SASKATCHEWAN – RUSHING
#0 Quali Conley (9 Attempts for 32 Yards)
#24 Mario Anderson (6 Attempts for 44 Yards)
#45 A.J. Ouellette (1 Attempt for 2 Yards – 1 TOUCHDOWN)
SASKATCHEWAN – RECEIVING
#76 Abdul Janneh Jr. (7 Targets/6 Receptions for 107 Yards)
#83 Johnny Johnson III (4 Targets/4 Receptions for 64 Yards – 1 TOUCHDOWN)
#86 Mathew Sexton (5 Targets/4 Receptions for 34 Yards)
#89 Kian Schaffer-Baker (2 Targets/2 Receptions for 29 Yards)
#87 Daniel Wiebe (5 Targets/2 Receptions for 10 Yards – 1 TOUCHDOWN)
#3 KeeSean Johnson (2 Targets/1 Reception for 48 Yards)
SASKATCHEWAN – DEFENCE
#35 Seyi Oladipo Jr. (5 Defensive Tackles)
#8 Marcus Sayles (3 Defensive Tackles)
#43 Nick Wiebe (3 Defensive Tackles)
#27 James Burgess Jr. (2 Defensive Tackles – 1 INTERCEPTION)
#50 Justin Weaver (2 Defensive Tackles – 1 QUARTERBACK SACK)
#98 Desmond Evans (2 Defensive Tackles – 1 QUARTERBACK SACK)
#32 Vi Jones (1 INTERCEPTION)
#12 Malcom Bell (1 INTERCEPTION)
TEAM STATS
First Downs: WPG 13 SSK 29
2nd Down Conversions: WPG 7/21 SSK 12/23
Net Offence: WPG 257 SSK 431
Rushing Yards: WPG 66 SSK 86
Passing Yards: WPG 202 SSK 361
Penalties (Yards): WPG 12(150) SSK 3(30)
Turnovers: WPG 3 SSK 3
Sacks Allowed: WPG 2 SSK 2
Red Zone: WPG 1/1 SSK 3/3
Time of Possession: WPG 27:20 SSK 32:40
Head Coach Corey Mace:
Quarterback Jack Coan:
Quarterback Brayden Schager:
Receiver Daniel Wiebe:
Linebacker Nick Wiebe:
