Games of Week 7, July 25 - 27, 2019
Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 4:29 pm
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Saskatchewan Roughriders eye sweep after beating B.C. Lions 38-25 in first game of home-and-home set
The Riders beat the Lions 38-25 on Saturday in the first half of a home-and-home set with the Lions
MURRAY MCCORMICK, REGINA LEADER-POST Updated: July 22, 2019
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are halfway home in their home-and-home series with the B.C. Lions.
Boosted by a stellar defensive effort, the Riders captured the first half of the set with a 38-25 win over the visiting Lions before an announced crowd of 31,602 at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday.
The Green and White’s thoughts are now on the finale, set for Saturday at BC Place.
“Back-to-back is a trap game,” noted Riders middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian.
“Guys who have been part of the back-to-back understand that you have to refocus and not think you’re up 12 points or whatever points it is. When we go to BC Place it’s going to be 0-0 against the same team that lost.
“We can’t go into the week having the mindset that we’re going to win there easily. Guys have to leave their egos at the door and just come to work hard and come to work prepared to work. That’s how you approach it.”
Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy, no helmet, celebrates an interception with his team in a game against the B.C. Lions in second half action CFL action at Mosaic Stadium. TROY FLEECE / REGINA LEADER-POST
Defensively, the Riders simply have to look at what they did against the Lions and repeat it at BC Place. Most notably, Lions quarterback Mike Reilly was sacked four times, including three by defensive end Charleston Hughes.
Reilly completed 31 of 40 attempts for 346 yards and one touchdown, in addition to rushing for a major, but wasn’t able to finish drives for the most part.
“When (Mike Reilly) is comfortable he’s very good and even when he’s uncomfortable he’s good,” Riders head coach Craig Dickenson said. “He’s the leader of that team and we need to make him uncomfortable and make him move from the spot. If he can stay in one spot all day, he can hurt you.”
Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Cameron Judge pressures B.C. Lions quarterback Mike Reilly in second half action CFL action at Mosaic Stadium. TROY FLEECE / REGINA LEADER-POST
The 35-year-old Hughes helped keep Reilly on the move by bringing pressure. Along with the aforementioned sacks, Hughes forced two fumbles and had a career-high 10 defensive tackles.
“I’ve played with a lot of good players from my nine years in the league and Charleston is one of the savvy, better defensive ends around,” Elimimian said. “You forget how old he is, but he doesn’t show his age. One thing he has a knack for is getting to the quarterback.”
Hughes leads the CFL with eight sacks and now has 122 total sacks over his 12-year career, with the Calgary Stampeders and Riders. He wasn’t available for comment after Saturday’s game.
Elimimian had a solid outing in his second consecutive start with the Riders after being sidelined with a calf injury. He had seven defensive tackles, two tackles for losses and a sack. He spent nine seasons with the Lions before being released on April 30 and signing with the Riders on May 9,
“For me, I always look at the plays that I didn’t make,” Elimimian said. “When I watch the film, it’s ‘how do I get better?’ and ‘what are the plays that I missed?’ ”
Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson in first half CFL action at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. TROY FLEECE / REGINA LEADER-POST
FAKE FIELD GOAL FLUB
One play that the Riders missed was an attempted second-quarter fake field goal. Holder Jon Ryan connected with running back Kienan LaFrance on a nine-yard pass that resulted in a first down.
The play was negated after LaFrance was penalized for being an ineligible receiver. Dickenson accepted responsibility, adding that officials need to be supplied with the uniform numbers of eligible players playing ineligible positions on punt coverage and protection.
Dickenson, who doubles as the special-teams co-ordinator, had moved LaFrance to the offensive line in protection and forgot to inform the officials of the change.
“I owe Kienan a beer and I owe Jon Ryan a beer,” Dickenson said.
Saturday, July 27
Saskatchewan at B.C., 7 p.m. EST
Dunk: B.C. has burned me. RIDERS
Hodge: The Lions keep sinking. RIDERS
Alfieri: All the way from France. LIONS
Ballantine: B.C.’s pylon squad gets chewed up by Saskatchewan’s D-line. RIDERS
Filoso: Until B.C. proves it can protect Reilly, I’ll keep picking against them. RIDERS
Gasson: Riders avoid the late start. RIDERS
Smith: New verse, same as the first. RIDERS
RIDERS 6 LIONS 1
2019 records
Alfieri: 17-6
Ballantine: 17-6
Hodge: 16-7
Smith: 16-7
Gasson: 13-10
Filoso: 12-11
Dunk: 11-12