Darian Durant came out to start the 2013 CFL with guns blazing, silence all those in Rider Nation who doubted him during challenging 2011 and 2012 seasons with the best football of his career. Getting Geroy Simon in the offseason and seeing Kory Sheets improve into the league's top rusher, the George Cortez offense ran through DD like clockwork. Durant controlled the turnover battle, protected the football, and with Sheets and a good offensive line the Riders always found a way to bury teams in the second half.
Since the months have changed from summer to fall in Saskatchewan things have been much different however.
Since Labour Day Weekend the Riders are 0-4, missing Kory Sheets and the confidence in execution that was a trademark of their start that had the province thinking Grey Cup this summer. Now the Riders are looking like they will be facing the possibility of two road games before to reach the Celebration in Rider Nation as the likely last Grey Cup at Taylor Field will likely go through Calgary in the West Final and with the Riders falling further down the wayside it will be going through B.C. Place for the West Semifinal should things stay as dismal as they have been over the past month.
With Durant getting support from a large segment of Rider Nation when the struggles first came, all patience is being thrown out of the window after another debacle of a first half where Durant and the Riders offense wasted away a football game despite a quality defensive effort. Until Weston Dressler's fourth quarter touchdown the Riders offense came from two punt singles from Ricky Schmitt and a safety conceded by Al's punter Sean Whyte. The Riders were down 4-3 at halftime and in the end lost to 5-8 Montreal 17-12 in a de facto must win game with time running out to right the ship.
Durant threw for three interceptions in the loss, going 24/46 for 335 yards, but only finding the end zone once. For the Riders whose hopes essentially rest on the arm of Durant with Sheets out of the lineup, the interception numbers are a concern.
Saskatchewan totalled just 18 rushing yards on Sunday, if they are going to win on Friday night in a loud B.C. Place Durant will need to be better. A veteran of the league, excuses are out of the window. Durant will have to put the team on his back if the Grey Cup dream is to become a reality.
