Head coach Corey Mace: ‘The guys are happy and I’m happy for them, but we wanna save those (Gatorade showers)’
“(It felt) kind of like it did after the second game of the year,” Mace said during his postgame media scrum. “You know, a Gatorade shower, I’m not interested in those ones.
“I know the intention’s really good though. The guys are happy and I’m happy for them, but we wanna save those ones.”
Mace’s initial dousing came early in the 2024 campaign following his first victory as a CFL head coach. Although he was understanding, he has now repeated a stern message for his players: Wait until it truly matters. The implication was to stay focused, that only winning the Grey Cup was worthy of such a celebration.
It’s been 11 years since the Roughriders last appeared in and won a Grey Cup.
To get into this year’s championship game in Vancouver on Nov. 17, they will have to visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday and upset the four-time Grey Cup qualifiers in a stadium where the Roughriders haven’t won since 2018.
They typically hang on his every word, every reaction, every mantra. Mace’s leadership skills were evident from his first day in charge, but as a defensive player and coach throughout his career this has been his first season as the head decision-maker.
Lo and behold, the Roughriders found themselves leading B.C. 13-6 late in the second quarter of Saturday’s game and were poised to punt from their end zone into a strong wind. Or they could have conceded a safety and kicked off, giving the Lions another chance to score before intermission.
Mace elected to punt.
A no-yards penalty gave B.C. possession at Saskatchewan’s 22-yard line; three plays later Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw a game-tying touchdown to Justin McInnis. It may have seemed like the wrong strategy, but two extra points would have made a difference in such a close game. Mace actually made the right call.
It also helped that Lions kicker Sean Whyte hit uprights on a convert and field goal, costing B.C. four points. Plus Adams, a mercurial quarterback who will likely be traded in the offseason to clear B.C.’s depth chart for Nathan Rourke, was intercepted three times.
Saskatchewan’s defence led the CFL with 49 turnovers this season, so it’s not surprising three defensive backs came up with important plays.
While Saskatchewan’s defence clinched the victory, the execution of the offensive game plan was equally vital.
The apparent devotion to a late-season running attack clearly set up Saskatchewan’s passing game.
Being ahead nine points forces an opponent to score twice, a tougher task working into the wind.
The Roughriders got into that dominant situation because of Mace’s coaching decisions. He deferred his choice of ends to the fourth quarter, plus the two-point convert gave the Roughriders a magical nine-point lead that they retained with good offence, defence and special teams. Good coaching, too. Just don’t get him wet!
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