Answering reader questions about the Saskatchewan Roughriders after their loss to the Montreal Alouettes last week
- Why did they go away from the running game? From Steve
It sure felt like the Riders abandoned the run game in the second half, didn’t it?
But if you look a little closer, Saskatchewan barely had the ball in the second half.
In the third quarter, Saskatchewan had just one full drive, with Hickson running the ball on two of the three offensive plays before a punt.
On their next drive, which started with 41 seconds left in the third quarter, Hickson ran on two of the eight plays on a drive that resulted in a missed field goal.
By the time Saskatchewan got the ball again, they were trailing 20-16 with four minutes left. This might have been a good time to go back to the run, eat up some clock and get within scoring range. However, after three quick passing plays, Saskatchewan was punting again.
The Riders then get the ball back with 1:28 to go, needing a touchdown with time ticking; not exactly a running scenario.
So, while Hickson’s 19 second-half yards seemed low, it’s because the Riders only generated 87 yards of net offence in the final 30 minutes and barely had the ball.
- Wondering because I’ve never played defence before: when they swapped out for Davis Alexander, did he rack up so many points because we didn’t know what to expect from him? From Bruce
We’re not about to start making excuses for the team, but I’m not sure how much film study was done on Davis Alexander prior to him entering the game in the second half for an unimpressive Caleb Evans. However, you can film study all you want but it won’t mean anything unless you can execute.
The Riders clearly executed a solid game plan for Evans, a dual-threat QB who was filling in for the injured Cody Fajardo. Maybe it was too good.
Alexander came into the game and picked apart the Riders, completing his first 12 passes on two straight touchdown drives. The Riders tried to pressure the young quarterback, but he got the ball out of his hands on time and several Saskatchewan defenders missed tackles.
So sure, the Riders were caught off guard by Alexander, but they were also plain and simply outplayed.
- Interventions from the Command Center seem very random. Are there rules/guidelines/parameters that govern when they can intervene, or is it basically left up to them? From Bill
In the past, the CFL has said the Command Centre will “focus on only overturning calls or non-calls made on the field where a clear and obvious mistake has been made.” The league also does “not want the game officiated from the Command Centre.”
That statement was issued in 2019 and I think that used to be the case. Now in 2024, it appears they are trying to be perfect by reviewing every play by assuming everything is “clear and obvious” given all the replay angles we have.
So yes, according to what they have said in the past, the Command Centre can rule on whatever they want, not just turnovers and touchdowns. It sure seems to hurt the flow of the game.
- What can we do about the air horns on Montreal broadcasts? Often, I mute the game. (Thursday) night I couldn’t even hear announcers. We shouldn’t have to endure that. Aren’t airhorns against CFL stadium policies? From Sandra
Ok, this has been a question CFL fans have had for years. I even think there have been petitions started.
The fans in Montreal don’t use compressed gas airhorns but instead they use hand-pump airhorns, which is maybe why it’s permitted?
The Alouettes’ code of conduct that fans are not permitted to use instruments with high decibel levels that will disrupt their fellow spectators. At Mosaic Stadium in Regina, it says “airhorns” in general are prohibited.
In the past, for major CFL events, the league has said only “lung powered noisemakers” could be brought in. Maybe we can start another petition? I’ll sign it.
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