And the Saskatchewan Roughriders are off to a smashing start in the 2007 season!
We had some reason to be excited - new turf, new coach, new GM, new receivers; plus lots of returning veterans on offence and defence.
And then they won their two exhibition games, something I don’t remember happening for years.
But still … that’s all the prep. The test comes when the season starts.
And the season started last night.
Against the Montreal Alouettes.
The Als, who have beaten Saskatchewan 19 out of 22 matches since 1996.
At home in Montreal.
Where the Als haven’t dropped a home-opener for the past 10 years.
Where they have a win rate of over 70%.
And where the Riders lost their 2006 game to the Als, 35-8.
So there was definitely some trepidation as the season began.
And know what?
Riders Dominated: 16 to 7!
Okay, so maybe 16 points and only one touchdown doesn’t sound like domination. But the 7 points flattered the Als. They only scored 1 point on their own efforts, a rouge on a missed field goal. The other 6 points came from three safeties, conceded by the Riders.
Plus, the Rider defence came though, with 8, count’em 8, sacks of Als QB Anthony Calvillo, compared to 2 Als’ sacks of Rider Kerry Joseph.
And then there were the three picks that A.C. threw, all in the red zone, with the Rider defence stopping what looked like sure touch downs for the Als. (Plus the turnover on downs late in the game.)
Compared to the 0 turnovers on the Riders side.
So, work to do on offence, but a big monkey off the back in the opening game, breaking the Als’ decade-long streak of homeopener wins!
Next up: Henry Buri$$ and his ponies…
“Green is the colour, football is the game…”