After the Saskatchewan Roughriders found ways to start the season 3-0, I want to discuss their approach to defence.
In those three games, opposing offences have gained significant yardage in each game.
The Ottawa Redblacks had 413 yards passing and 30 yards rushing.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats had 336 yards passing and 51 yards rushing.
The Toronto Argonauts had 259 yards passing and 55 yards rushing.
Looking at those numbers, the passing numbers have decreased each game and no offence has been able to run against the Riders.
I quoted defensive tackle Micah Johnson in an earlier column saying they wanted to be the best against the run.
At times the Riders have been frustrating as offences moved steadily down the field.
They have managed to force five turnovers in the three games.
Against Ottawa, it was a turnover on downs, Ottawa’s last drive of the game.
In Hamilton, they had an interception and a turnover on downs.
In Toronto, it was an interception and a memorable turnover on downs with a goal line stand.
They have 10 sacks with four against the Redblacks, two versus Hamilton and four against the Argos. What is most important is that they have been able to get pressure with four rushers and their infrequent blitzes have usually included only a single extra rusher.
The points given up in three games are 81 or 27 per game, a higher number than most elite defences surrender.
After the opening game, Head Coach Corey Mace summed up their approach on defence. He invoked the spirit of Coach Rich Stubler as he looked toward heaven.
Stubler coached football for over 50 years before he died a couple of years ago. He spent 31 years as a CFL coach, winning five Grey Cups. The only time he faltered was 2008 when he was chosen as Head Coach of the Argonauts. After he went 4-6 to open the season he was fired.
Mace emphasized that Stubler was not interested in how many yards his defences surrendered.
“Coach Stub always said I don’t care how many yards, just tell me if it is a W or an L,” he said.
“This defence gives up a lot of yards passing but it allows us to be opportunistic to go get the ball.”
So be prepared to see the Riders giving up yardage to opposing offences.
I am not sure how many columns I will have in the next few weeks as I will be going to Oregon with my wife where she will be taking a course on a guide dog.
Bill Selnes, who’s based in Melfort, has written about the Saskatchewan Roughriders since the late 1970s. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, Football Reporters of Canada wing on Nov. 24, 2013.
