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BOMBERS, RIDERS CLASH IN ANNUAL BANJO BOWL
WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are hot right now.
Mike O’Shea’s football team has won five games in a row entering Saturday’s Banjo Bowl rematch with its prairie rival, the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Where the Bombers once sat anchored at the bottom of their division with a 1-4 record, they’ve now surged to 6-4 and currently sit in third in the tough West Division. What’s transpired in Winnipeg has been nothing short of a 180-degree turnaround.
Speaking of 180-degree turnarounds, that’s what the province of Saskatchewan will be hoping for in the second half of the 2016 season. At 1-9, the Riders are the worst team in the league on both offence (195 points for, 9th) and defence (347 points against, 9th).
Winnipeg took last week’s Labour Day Classic in Regina, 28-25, snapping an 11-year drought in Riderville and more importantly inching to within a game of the BC Lions for second in the West.
While last week’s loss to Winnipeg at home was a disappointing one, there were positives to be taken from it for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and their fan base.
Darian Durant threw for a season-high 399 passing yards, receiver Caleb Holley emerged as a legitimate threat downfield and the Rider defence held an opponent under 30 points for just the second time since Week 5.
That said, Durant also threw two key interceptions and the Rider defence was unable to stop Winnipeg on its game-winning field goal drive — due in large part to a pass interference penalty on Justin Cox.
“We have to look at what we can do to extend drives, not give up big plays (and) not take penalties at inopportune times,” Riders head coach Chris Jones told Riderville.com. “Those are the things that lose you football games.
“One thing about us is we’re never going to quit; nobody wants it more for these young guys in our locker room than me and my coaching staff.”
Thus, despite not having found themselves in the win column since mid-July, the Riders are heading to Winnipeg with their eyes on a W they see as attainable.
“We’re looking at it as a game we’re trying to go in and win,” said quarterback Darian Durant. “We feel like we let an opportunity slip by with the game (here) last week (and) want to try to correct our mistakes and come out on top (Saturday).”
While Saskatchewan sits a minimum of four wins from the playoff conversation in the West, linebacker Greg Jones insists heads remain high inside the Rider locker room.
“I feel like we still have a chance to get back in; (it’s) that light in the tunnel situation,” explained the Michigan alum. “We feel like we can get back in it; you can’t win by being negative and having our heads down. It is what it is, but we’re going to keep chugging.”
One of the keys to Saskatchewan’s improved passing game has been slotback Naaman Roosevelt. The Buffalo native has racked up 272 receiving yards in the Riders’ past two outings, but hasn’t found the end zone since a Week 5 win against Ottawa.
The Rider defence will have to improve its ability to crash the pocket and foster quarterback pressure to have success in Winnipeg on Saturday and beyond; Saskatchewan’s 14 sacks are the fewest in the league by some distance, and that lack of D-Line production has contributed to the team’s league-low mark of three interceptions.
For the Bombers, it doesn’t seem that long ago certain analysts around the league were questioning head coach Mike O’Shea’s future in Winnipeg.
Sparked by a Week 6 switch under centre to Matt Nichols, the Bombers have improved in all phases and become one of the best all-around teams in the league.
With five straight wins under their blue belts, the Bombers aren’t taking the Riders lightly entering Saturday’s grudge match.
“This team that we’re playing this week felt like they could’ve had the win (last week),” quarterback Matt Nichols told BlueBombers.com. “They’re a very good football team; they had multiple chances to beat Edmonton, could’ve beat Calgary…they’re a good team that hasn’t come away with the close ones.
“We’ll have to be much better than last week to win.”
As for facing an opponent twice in a row, Nichols stresses the importance of trying to pick up any small advantage.
“You’re obviously very familiar with the opponent (at this point), but at the same time you watch your film and are (still) trying to pick up things,” said the Eastern Washington alum. “You never know what to expect — I’ve been a part of a lot of back-to-backs where one game, you’ll get a certain coverage, and the next week they’ll do something different.”
Winnipeg will be bolstered by a sell-out crowd at Investors Group Field this weekend.
“When this place is rocking, it’s tough to be an offence,” chuckled former Rider and current Bomber Weston Dressler. “The communication factor makes it harder (but) they’ve got some vets on that offence that have been through it and experienced it.”
One of the driving forces behind Winnipeg’s five-game winning streak has been national running back Andrew Harris. The Winnipeg native leads the CFL in carries (143) and rush yards (655), and sits tied with Calgary’s Jerome Messam in 20-plus-yard runs (3).
“He leads by example,” said Coach O’Shea. “I think there’s a lot of things you can talk about Andrew in that regard; he knows the playbook inside-out, helps his teammates, recognizes situations where they need help on the field.”
Jamaal Westerman’s been one of the most-disruptive presences on Winnipeg’s defence this season; the Brooklyn native has recorded 23 tackles and a team-high five sacks, while consistently creating inside pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Winnipeg tackle-leader Ian Wild is obviously another key figure within coordinator Richie Hall’s defensive unit. Wild is on pace to shatter his previous career-high in tackles, 83 in 2014, and sits fourth in the league with 60 entering Week 12.
By the Numbers
0 – Wins in five tries away from home for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2016.
6:1 – Winnipeg QB Matt Nichols’ QB:interception ratio since being handed the starting reins in Week 6.
10 – Pass touchdowns thrown by the Riders this season, the lowest mark in the CFL.
34 – Field goals made by Winnipeg K Justin Medlock this season, second only to Calgary’s Rene Paredes.
The Skinny
The Bombers have been the better team on paper, but you can throw that all away when it comes to the Banjo Bowl.
Saskatchewan put in one of its best performances of the season last week in front of a charged-up crowd at Mosaic. The question will be whether the Riders can replicate some of their best football of a forgettable 2016 season in a hostile environment at IGF.
The Riders will need to shut down Andrew Harris early and consistently if they want to pull off the upset away from home. The Bombers will have to handle Darian Durant and the Riders’ passing attack more effectively if they are to cruise to the comfortable home win their expectant fans are hoping for.
Kickoff is slated for 4:00 p.m. ET and can be seen live on TSN or followed online via CFL.ca Game Tracker.
BOMBERS, RIDERS CLASH IN ANNUAL BANJO BOWL
WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are hot right now.
Mike O’Shea’s football team has won five games in a row entering Saturday’s Banjo Bowl rematch with its prairie rival, the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Where the Bombers once sat anchored at the bottom of their division with a 1-4 record, they’ve now surged to 6-4 and currently sit in third in the tough West Division. What’s transpired in Winnipeg has been nothing short of a 180-degree turnaround.
Speaking of 180-degree turnarounds, that’s what the province of Saskatchewan will be hoping for in the second half of the 2016 season. At 1-9, the Riders are the worst team in the league on both offence (195 points for, 9th) and defence (347 points against, 9th).
Winnipeg took last week’s Labour Day Classic in Regina, 28-25, snapping an 11-year drought in Riderville and more importantly inching to within a game of the BC Lions for second in the West.
While last week’s loss to Winnipeg at home was a disappointing one, there were positives to be taken from it for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and their fan base.
Darian Durant threw for a season-high 399 passing yards, receiver Caleb Holley emerged as a legitimate threat downfield and the Rider defence held an opponent under 30 points for just the second time since Week 5.
That said, Durant also threw two key interceptions and the Rider defence was unable to stop Winnipeg on its game-winning field goal drive — due in large part to a pass interference penalty on Justin Cox.
“We have to look at what we can do to extend drives, not give up big plays (and) not take penalties at inopportune times,” Riders head coach Chris Jones told Riderville.com. “Those are the things that lose you football games.
“One thing about us is we’re never going to quit; nobody wants it more for these young guys in our locker room than me and my coaching staff.”
Thus, despite not having found themselves in the win column since mid-July, the Riders are heading to Winnipeg with their eyes on a W they see as attainable.
“We’re looking at it as a game we’re trying to go in and win,” said quarterback Darian Durant. “We feel like we let an opportunity slip by with the game (here) last week (and) want to try to correct our mistakes and come out on top (Saturday).”
While Saskatchewan sits a minimum of four wins from the playoff conversation in the West, linebacker Greg Jones insists heads remain high inside the Rider locker room.
“I feel like we still have a chance to get back in; (it’s) that light in the tunnel situation,” explained the Michigan alum. “We feel like we can get back in it; you can’t win by being negative and having our heads down. It is what it is, but we’re going to keep chugging.”
One of the keys to Saskatchewan’s improved passing game has been slotback Naaman Roosevelt. The Buffalo native has racked up 272 receiving yards in the Riders’ past two outings, but hasn’t found the end zone since a Week 5 win against Ottawa.
The Rider defence will have to improve its ability to crash the pocket and foster quarterback pressure to have success in Winnipeg on Saturday and beyond; Saskatchewan’s 14 sacks are the fewest in the league by some distance, and that lack of D-Line production has contributed to the team’s league-low mark of three interceptions.
For the Bombers, it doesn’t seem that long ago certain analysts around the league were questioning head coach Mike O’Shea’s future in Winnipeg.
Sparked by a Week 6 switch under centre to Matt Nichols, the Bombers have improved in all phases and become one of the best all-around teams in the league.
With five straight wins under their blue belts, the Bombers aren’t taking the Riders lightly entering Saturday’s grudge match.
“This team that we’re playing this week felt like they could’ve had the win (last week),” quarterback Matt Nichols told BlueBombers.com. “They’re a very good football team; they had multiple chances to beat Edmonton, could’ve beat Calgary…they’re a good team that hasn’t come away with the close ones.
“We’ll have to be much better than last week to win.”
As for facing an opponent twice in a row, Nichols stresses the importance of trying to pick up any small advantage.
“You’re obviously very familiar with the opponent (at this point), but at the same time you watch your film and are (still) trying to pick up things,” said the Eastern Washington alum. “You never know what to expect — I’ve been a part of a lot of back-to-backs where one game, you’ll get a certain coverage, and the next week they’ll do something different.”
Winnipeg will be bolstered by a sell-out crowd at Investors Group Field this weekend.
“When this place is rocking, it’s tough to be an offence,” chuckled former Rider and current Bomber Weston Dressler. “The communication factor makes it harder (but) they’ve got some vets on that offence that have been through it and experienced it.”
One of the driving forces behind Winnipeg’s five-game winning streak has been national running back Andrew Harris. The Winnipeg native leads the CFL in carries (143) and rush yards (655), and sits tied with Calgary’s Jerome Messam in 20-plus-yard runs (3).
“He leads by example,” said Coach O’Shea. “I think there’s a lot of things you can talk about Andrew in that regard; he knows the playbook inside-out, helps his teammates, recognizes situations where they need help on the field.”
Jamaal Westerman’s been one of the most-disruptive presences on Winnipeg’s defence this season; the Brooklyn native has recorded 23 tackles and a team-high five sacks, while consistently creating inside pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Winnipeg tackle-leader Ian Wild is obviously another key figure within coordinator Richie Hall’s defensive unit. Wild is on pace to shatter his previous career-high in tackles, 83 in 2014, and sits fourth in the league with 60 entering Week 12.
By the Numbers
0 – Wins in five tries away from home for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2016.
6:1 – Winnipeg QB Matt Nichols’ QB:interception ratio since being handed the starting reins in Week 6.
10 – Pass touchdowns thrown by the Riders this season, the lowest mark in the CFL.
34 – Field goals made by Winnipeg K Justin Medlock this season, second only to Calgary’s Rene Paredes.
The Skinny
The Bombers have been the better team on paper, but you can throw that all away when it comes to the Banjo Bowl.
Saskatchewan put in one of its best performances of the season last week in front of a charged-up crowd at Mosaic. The question will be whether the Riders can replicate some of their best football of a forgettable 2016 season in a hostile environment at IGF.
The Riders will need to shut down Andrew Harris early and consistently if they want to pull off the upset away from home. The Bombers will have to handle Darian Durant and the Riders’ passing attack more effectively if they are to cruise to the comfortable home win their expectant fans are hoping for.
Kickoff is slated for 4:00 p.m. ET and can be seen live on TSN or followed online via CFL.ca Game Tracker.
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