Jul
Riders 5-0
Courtesy Regina Leader Post:
Another quarterback, another broken leg and another fourth-quarter victory for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who remain unbowed and undefeated following a 28-22 win over the Kerry Joseph-led Toronto Argonauts on Sunday.
The Roughriders boast their first 5-0 record since 1934, but the victory — before an 11th straight sold-out crowd of 28,800 at Mosaic Stadium — cost them quarterback Darian Durant (bruised or cracked ribs) and slotback Andy Fantuz (broken left fibula). They join an injury list that includes quarterback Marcus Crandell (hamstring), slotback D.J. Flick (broken leg), defensive end John Chick (torn knee ligaments), defensive back Leron Mitchell (broken leg) and receiver Weston Dressler (hamstring).
“We’re a little injury-prone right now,” said Riders tailback Wes Cates, who gained 130 yards on 24 carries and whose second one-yard touchdown run put the Roughriders ahead 27-22 at 12:11 of the fourth quarter.
“An injury on this team is just a little time off and it lets somebody else step up. If that ain’t a true testament to teamwork, to believing in each other and finding ways to get the job done, I don’t know what is.
“Right now I would be worried about playing us, with anybody in there, because we’re finding ways to win.”
Toronto dropped to 2-3 because the Roughriders, for the fourth straight game, rallied for a victory. The Roughriders trailed 18-10 at halftime and allowed only four second-half points.
The game drew extra attention because it was Joseph’s first return to Saskatchewan since an offseason trade to Toronto. Joseph led the Roughriders to the 2007 Grey Cup and had been named the CFL’s outstanding player, but a snag in contract negotiations led to his departure and left Crandell as Saskatchewan’s starter.
