The Saskatchewan Roughriders are struggling to find consistent play throughout their lineup for sixty minutes and it's hurting the team.
After taking a 13-4 lead into halftime on Sunday against the Edmonton Eskimos, the Riders allowed Edmonton to score 20 unanswered points in the second half for a 24-19 win at Mosaic Stadium.
The loss was the Riders' fourth straight and fifth in their last six games, dropping their record to 9-7 on the year. There was a double blow to the loss as well with Edmonton clinching a home playoff game, meaning the Riders are on the road to get back to the Grey Cup.
“We just didn't play well in the second half, we made some plays in the first half and in the second half we didn't,” said quarterback Kerry Joseph. “I was off a little bit early in the second half and we just couldn't stay on the field long enough to help our defence.”
All the momentum built up in the first half for the Riders disappeared just seconds into the second half.
Saskatchewan scored ten points in just 28 second at the end of the first half on a 17-yard touchdown catch by Brett Swain and a 17-yard field goal from Chris Milo, but they couldn't build off that momentum coming out for the second half.
A 95-yard kick-off return for a touchdown by Kendial Lawrence to open the second half put the game back in Edmonton's hands and they ran with it as the Riders crumbled, never recovering in the loss.
“It was a back breaker,” said defensive end Ricky Foley. “That's tough, we can't give up anymore special teams touchdowns, it's just no good.
“You just can't do it in these close games, this year with teams being as close as they are and offences being pretty much even, defences being pretty much even, the special teams are what it's going to come down. We've got to step up.”
The special teams struggles for the Riders have been a big part of their fall over the past six weeks. Head coach Corey Chamblin said it comes down to desire.
“For some guys (the return TD) did put their fire out,” he said. “For me when I saw that, that allows me to see what type of players I have. There was some guys that it didn't phase them, others you can see that anytime something negative goes that's what they're starting to look for.”
Saskatchewan still led after the touchdown, but multiple two-and-outs by the offence eventually allowed Edmonton to take control of the game with two field goals by Hugh O'Neill, 46 and 29 yards.
Mike Reilly provided the finishing blow with a five-yard touchdown run seven minutes into the fourth quarter.
Joseph hit Korey Williams for a 28-yard touchdown in the final minute to pull Saskatchewan within five, but a failed two-point convert and a missed onside kick ended any comeback chances.
“We play in spurts, we've just got to stay up all the time,” said Joseph. “We can't ride highs and lows, we've just got to stay even keel.”
Joseph had the offence clicking early in his return to the field with the Riders. He threw for 121 yards in the first half, but then the offence went dry in the second half. The 41-year-old quarterback finished 17-of-36 for 213 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
“We couldn't ask too much out of him, but I thought he did a good job,” said Chamblin. “He gave us a chance and I'm proud of the way that he fought.”
“I felt good, but in the second half I just got out of rhythm a little bit,” said Joseph. “I just want to help win the game, we're just in a rut right now.”
Williams provided a nice spark in his first game back on the 46-man roster, he led the team with 53 yards on four catches and a touchdown. Rob Bagg also had four catches for 49 yards.
While the passing game found a stride, the running game for Saskatchewan was non-existent in the loss. Running back Anthony Allen was a late scratch with back spasms, leaving Will Ford to carry the load.
He finished with 27 yards on nine carries.
“I'm kind of down on myself,” said Ford. “I feel like I should have made more plays and contributed a little more on offence... I feel like I needed to do a little bit more, that's why I was brought here and I need to step up to the plate.”
After torching the Riders for 192 yards in their last meeting, John White ran for 91 yards on 16 carries in the win. Reilly was 20-of-30 for 260 yards and an interception. He ran for 12 yards and a touchdown on two carries.
Foley had a big game for the Riders on defence, post three sacks and five defensive tackles. Tyron Brackenridge had an interception late in the second quarter, setting up Milo's field goal.
Saskatchewan has a short week ahead. They'll practice on Wednesday and Thursday in Regina before travelling to Calgary to face the Stampeders on Friday.
Sat, Apr 20, 1:00 PM
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