Madferret
8-11-05, 9:38 PM
Riders in Ottawa to face front-runners
The Sports Network
In another quirk of the CFL schedule, these two teams meet up again just two weeks after the Renegades defeated the Roughriders 21-16 at Taylor Field.
Ottawa earned its first road win of the season, thanks to a huge play from defensive lineman Anthony Collier. Collier intercepted a Nealon Greene pass and was running downfield with it when he lateralled over to Kyries Herbert, who ran the rest of the way to cap a 67-yard scoring play. The touchdown earned the Renegades an 18-9 lead in the third quarter and ultimately provided them with enough points to secure the victory.
Turnovers and a lack of offensive production have plagued Saskatchewan of late. Collier's interception was one of six turnovers against Ottawa, then last week the Roughriders turned the ball over nine times in a 42-13 road loss to Montreal. In their last three games, the club has 17 turnovers and scored a combined 47 points.
Greene has struggled in his last two games, completing 25-of-46 passes combined for 228 yards with five interceptions. Each time he has been replaced by backup Marcus Crandell, who has gone 29-of-53 passing for 411 yards with two interceptions and two touchdowns in that span.
The surprising Renegades have won two straight and three of their last four games to find themselves tied with Toronto atop the East Division standings.
Quarterback Kerry Joseph continues to shine for Ottawa, standing third in the CFL in passing with 1,839 yards, He has also thrown 10 touchdown passes and rushed for 374 yards and four touchdowns.
Running back Josh Ranek (fourth in CFL rushing with 445 yards) and receiver Jason Armstead (fourth in CFL receiving with 30 catches for 504 yards and two touchdowns) are the Renegades' other offensive leaders but it's Joseph who makes the unit work. He's especially dangerous when flushed out of the pocket and forced to run because defenses aren't sure if he's going to take off up the field or merely draw the defenders in thinking he'll run, then loft a long pass downfield.
If there's a problem, though, it's an offensive line that has given up a CFL-leading 31 sacks, suggesting Joseph isn't always running by design.
Statistically, Saskatchewan's defense remains among the CFL's best, ranked second in yards allowed (284 per game), first in pass defense (209.4 yards per game) and third against the run (90 yards per game). But the unit, which last year was especially tenacious in its pass rush, has managed just 10 sacks this year, leaving it ranked eighth in the nine-team league. To be fair, though, given the amount of turnovers the Roughriders are surrendering, the defense has often been put in very compromising positions.
If there has been a bright light this season for Saskatchewan, it has been versatile Corey Holmes. Not only is Holmes third in the CFL in rushing despite no longer being the club's No. 1 running back - Kenton Keith has returned from injury - but Holmes leads the league in total yards with 1,419 and in kickoff returns (15 for 475 yards and a touchdown). He's also sixth overall in punt returns as well.
The numbers: Ottawa is 2-1 at home and 2-3 versus West Division competition. Saskatchewan is just 1-3 on the road and 2-3 against Eastern conference clubs.
Keys to the game: Given Ottawa's inconsistency protecting Joseph, that would seem to be a good place for the Roughriders to start. But it has to be a controlled, contained rush because if Joseph is allowed to get outside, then he can really burn a defense, even a really good one like Saskatchewan's.
The Roughriders, though, must do a better job of holding on to the football, plain and simple. The more they give it away, the more chances they give their opposition and the tougher they make it for their defense.
By the same token, the Renegades' defense could really help itself by doing what it can to continue the Roughriders' turnover woes, which would not only squelch potential scoring chances, but also turn the game's momentum and possibly get Saskatchewan thinking too much about its problems.
The Roughriders have to find a way to get out of their funk and not only get back in the race in the West Division standings try catching up to front-running B.C. and Edmonton but also keep the suddenly resurgent Calgary Stampeders - two wins in their last three games - at bay.
It's 16-14 Green Riders in the 3rd Q...
The Sports Network
In another quirk of the CFL schedule, these two teams meet up again just two weeks after the Renegades defeated the Roughriders 21-16 at Taylor Field.
Ottawa earned its first road win of the season, thanks to a huge play from defensive lineman Anthony Collier. Collier intercepted a Nealon Greene pass and was running downfield with it when he lateralled over to Kyries Herbert, who ran the rest of the way to cap a 67-yard scoring play. The touchdown earned the Renegades an 18-9 lead in the third quarter and ultimately provided them with enough points to secure the victory.
Turnovers and a lack of offensive production have plagued Saskatchewan of late. Collier's interception was one of six turnovers against Ottawa, then last week the Roughriders turned the ball over nine times in a 42-13 road loss to Montreal. In their last three games, the club has 17 turnovers and scored a combined 47 points.
Greene has struggled in his last two games, completing 25-of-46 passes combined for 228 yards with five interceptions. Each time he has been replaced by backup Marcus Crandell, who has gone 29-of-53 passing for 411 yards with two interceptions and two touchdowns in that span.
The surprising Renegades have won two straight and three of their last four games to find themselves tied with Toronto atop the East Division standings.
Quarterback Kerry Joseph continues to shine for Ottawa, standing third in the CFL in passing with 1,839 yards, He has also thrown 10 touchdown passes and rushed for 374 yards and four touchdowns.
Running back Josh Ranek (fourth in CFL rushing with 445 yards) and receiver Jason Armstead (fourth in CFL receiving with 30 catches for 504 yards and two touchdowns) are the Renegades' other offensive leaders but it's Joseph who makes the unit work. He's especially dangerous when flushed out of the pocket and forced to run because defenses aren't sure if he's going to take off up the field or merely draw the defenders in thinking he'll run, then loft a long pass downfield.
If there's a problem, though, it's an offensive line that has given up a CFL-leading 31 sacks, suggesting Joseph isn't always running by design.
Statistically, Saskatchewan's defense remains among the CFL's best, ranked second in yards allowed (284 per game), first in pass defense (209.4 yards per game) and third against the run (90 yards per game). But the unit, which last year was especially tenacious in its pass rush, has managed just 10 sacks this year, leaving it ranked eighth in the nine-team league. To be fair, though, given the amount of turnovers the Roughriders are surrendering, the defense has often been put in very compromising positions.
If there has been a bright light this season for Saskatchewan, it has been versatile Corey Holmes. Not only is Holmes third in the CFL in rushing despite no longer being the club's No. 1 running back - Kenton Keith has returned from injury - but Holmes leads the league in total yards with 1,419 and in kickoff returns (15 for 475 yards and a touchdown). He's also sixth overall in punt returns as well.
The numbers: Ottawa is 2-1 at home and 2-3 versus West Division competition. Saskatchewan is just 1-3 on the road and 2-3 against Eastern conference clubs.
Keys to the game: Given Ottawa's inconsistency protecting Joseph, that would seem to be a good place for the Roughriders to start. But it has to be a controlled, contained rush because if Joseph is allowed to get outside, then he can really burn a defense, even a really good one like Saskatchewan's.
The Roughriders, though, must do a better job of holding on to the football, plain and simple. The more they give it away, the more chances they give their opposition and the tougher they make it for their defense.
By the same token, the Renegades' defense could really help itself by doing what it can to continue the Roughriders' turnover woes, which would not only squelch potential scoring chances, but also turn the game's momentum and possibly get Saskatchewan thinking too much about its problems.
The Roughriders have to find a way to get out of their funk and not only get back in the race in the West Division standings try catching up to front-running B.C. and Edmonton but also keep the suddenly resurgent Calgary Stampeders - two wins in their last three games - at bay.
It's 16-14 Green Riders in the 3rd Q...