25
VANCOUVER — Ever since they traded CFL most outstanding player Kerry Joseph to Toronto in March, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have been adamant that they could win games and defend their Grey Cup championship with journeyman quarterback Marcus Crandell.
What the Roughriders talked about less was the inexperienced passers behind Crandell: Steven Jyles and Darian Durant.
Apparently, Saskatchewan can with them too.
The Riders invaded B.C. Place Stadium on Friday and scored a stunning, 26-16 upset of the B.C. Lions before 33,813.
Roughriders receiver Andy Fantuz scores a touchdown during the first half against the B.C. Lions Friday night in Vancouver. The Roughriders won 26-16. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Related Articles
Internet Links
The stakes weren't quite as high as last November, when Saskatchewan beat B.C. in the West Division final en route to the CFL championship, but the result was equally baffling. Crandell was lost after one quarter with a right hamstring strain and Jyles, the backup, looked terrible in his one quarter of work.
But Durant, the third-stringer who had attempted just one CFL pass in two seasons, came off the bench at halftime and led his team to a fourth-quarter victory.
"It was definitely a surprise, but in this game you are always a hit away from playing," Durant said of his insertion into the contest. "We're a veteran-led team and we relied on our veterans."
Wes Cates' 15-yard touchdown run midway through the final quarter gave Saskatchewan a 23-16 lead. Following a Jarious Jackson interception and a 49-yard return from Lance Frazier, the visitors added a 27-yard field goal by Luca Congi to seal the win.
The Lions fell to 0-2 on the young CFL season while Saskatchewan improved to 2-0.
General manager and head coach Wally Buono announced after the game that Jackson would start at quarterback next week against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. But one week after saying the coaches and players should be "embarrassed" by a season-opening loss to Calgary, Buono was even angrier.
"You don't catch the football, you don't throw the football well, eventually you are going to wear down," Buono said. "Defensively, we had opportunities to make a few more plays that maybe could have turned the game around somewhere. We didn't do that."
Cates had 99 yards from scrimmage and Durant only completed five of 11 passes for 56 yards, but B.C. gained only 44 yards after halftime and did not score a single offensive point. Their only points came on a conceded safety by Saskatchewan punter Jamie Boreham.
The home team also committed stupid mistakes, such as a too-many-men penalty early in the fourth quarter while receiving a punt. The infraction gave the Riders' offence a first down, and Congi was able to tie the game 16-16 on a 32-yard field goal.
"There is no reason to be on the field when you're not on that team," Buono said.
B.C. also went into territory it would have preferred avoiding.
The team lost its season-opener in Calgary behind starting quarterback Buck Pierce, who re-injured his chronically-ailing right (throwing) shoulder, and hurt his ribs. Pierce's battered body convinced Lions general manager and head coach Wally Buono to start Jarious Jackson for Week 2.
"Jarious is the clear No. 1," Buono said on Thursday.
Jackson committed four turnovers if you include a failed quarterback sneak attempt on third down in the third quarter.
"We have to [stick with Jackson]. You make that commitment, you have to move forward that way," Buono said.
At halftime, the Lions led 14-10 and had gained 173 yards to Saskatchewan's 66. Joe Smith had two one-yard touchdown runs to cap long drives as the Lions' offence recovered after a wretched start.
Saskatchewan's lone touchdown came on a huge mistake from Jackson. B.C.'s quarterback fumbled for the second time deep in his own territory, and it was recovered by Marcus Adams at the 10-yard line.
On the next play, Jyles found Andy Fantuz for a touchdown that made it 9-8 for the visitors.
Jyles replaced Crandell for Saskatchewan's first series of the second quarter, and threw two interceptions before halftime.
One worked like a punt and pinned the Lions deep, the other was on a long throw downfield that resulted in a serious left leg injury to receiver D.J. Flick. His left ankle was pointed perpendicular to his shin. The Riders also lost defensive back LeRon Mitchell to a leg injury.
Saskatchewan led 3-1 after the first quarter on an 11-yard field goal from Congi. The Lions offence was ghastly in the early going. Jackson fumbled and made some erratic throws, and the first first-down was obtained until 2:09 remained in the quarter.
