The Saskatchewan Roughriders boast a 5-1 record for the seventh time in the franchise’s post-Second World War history.
Saskatchewan registered its fifth victory of the 2024 CFL season by defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 19-9 on Friday before a season-high crowd of 29,649 at Mosaic Stadium.
The Roughriders were also 5-1 in 1967, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1976 and 2013. The only superior performance at the six-game mark dates back to 2008, when the Green and White was 6-0.
“It feels great,” Roughriders quarterback Shea Patterson said of Friday’s win. “It’s hard enough to win at this level. Anytime we can come out like that against a really good team, coming off a short week as well, we’re feeling good about it.”
Patterson, making his third start at quarterback for the Roughriders in place of the injured Trevor Harris, completed 17 of 25 passes for 261 yards and one touchdown. He also ran four times for 35 yards.
A.J. Ouellette powered the Roughriders’ ground game with 88 yards on 17 carries.
Rookie Ajou Ajou had a team-high 110 receiving yards on four receptions. The 6-foot-2, 211-pounder played inside receiver after Kian Schaffer-Baker left the game with an injury in the first half.
“Ajou? Oh my goodness,” Patterson marvelled. “It’s great having him out there. I’m so proud of him stepping up and really playing a position that he didn’t get too many reps at in practice.
“Our guys are expected to know the concepts, but for him to come in and fill a spot for Schaff when he went down, it’s huge.
“He’s hard to miss out there.”
Ajou’s 46-yarder late in the fourth quarter set up Brett Lauther’s fourth field goal of the game — a three-pointer that made it a two-possession game and created some breathing room.
Saskatchewan began that possession with 2:34 remaining in the game, following a key turnover. Zach Collaros found Nic Demski for a 50-yard gain before Roughriders middle linebacker Jameer Thurman forced a fumble that was recovered by Marcus Sayles.
“I know the magnitude of the play,” Thurman said. “At the same time, we as a defence talked about the turnovers and how they were going to be big for us to take over this game and win. I was just fortunate to be in that position to make the play.”
The home side debuted the Rider Nation Alt Jerseys in file style. Dating back to 2001, Saskatchewan is 11-4 while wearing alternate jerseys.
CLINT’S CATCH
Clint Ratkovich scored his first CFL touchdown — and the only TD of the game — when he caught a 15-yard scoring strike from Patterson at 6:55 of the third quarter.
The reception was his second of the season. Both catches have produced 15 yards.
Ratkovich’s touchdown was the first by an American-born Roughriders fullback since July 26, 1996, when Peter Tuipulotu scored on a one-yard run against the Toronto Argonauts at Taylor Field.
Until Friday, an American-born Roughriders fullback had not caught a touchdown pass since Sept. 15, 1973, when Ron Lancaster hit George Reed for a seven-yard score against Winnipeg at Taylor Field.
Reed passed away on Oct. 1, one day shy of his 84th birthday. His wife, Angie, was at Friday’s game.
SANDERS’ SACK
Defensive tackle Caleb Sanders, playing in his third CFL game, registered his first sack in the pro ranks.
“It was awesome,” he said. “We had a good call on the play and it worked out. We got back there.”
Sanders felled Collaros for a nine-yard loss with a minute left in the game, creating a third-and-19 predicament for the visitors. Winnipeg proceeded to turn over the ball on downs, whereupon Saskatchewan ran out the clock.
Last season, Sanders made his CFL debut on Oct. 7 against the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
He returned to the lineup July 13 against the host B.C. Lions and made his second straight appearance on Friday.
UP AND ADAM
Linebacker Adam Auclair registered his first interception in the CFL — and his second in the CFL.
Auclair’s first interception was as a member of the Ottawa REDBLACKS, on whose behalf he had a pick against the Calgary Stampeders on July 15, 2023.
His latest pick gave Saskatchewan a league-high 12 interceptions after six games.
FAST FACTS
• Lauther’s 13 points increased his total with the Roughriders to 818 — just five fewer than Reed, who is fourth on the team’s All-Time list. Dave Ridgway (2,374), Paul McCallum (1,615) and Jack Abendschan (863) occupy the top three spots.
• Rolan Milligan Jr. had four pass knockdowns along with two special teams tackles. He leads the league in special teams tackles (11) and interceptions (four).
• Winnipeg rushed for 65 yards on Friday. Saskatchewan has yet to allow a triple-digit rushing total in six games this week.
• Saskatchewan won the turnover battle, 3-0. The Roughriders improved their league-best turnover differential to plus-11.
NEXT UP
The Roughriders are to return to action on Thursday against the Montreal Alouettes.
Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m., Saskatchewan time, at Percival Molson Stadium.
Saskatchewan and Montreal both enter the game at 5-1.
“There’s a ton of challenges (facing Montreal),” Head Coach Corey Mace said. “We’re on a short week, which we just came off of. They’re the defending champions. Montreal has, in my existence, been one of the hardest places to play. They’re coming off a bye week.
“One-and-oh (next week). That’s what we do. We’ve got to get it done. That’s it.”
SUMMARY
FIRST QUARTER
Wpg — FG Castillo 35 3:23
Collaros to Johnson for 26; Collaros to Clercius for 16
Sask — FG Lauther 28 9:53
Patterson to Schaffer-Baker for a pair of 22-yard gains
SECOND QUARTER
Wpg — FG Castillo 56 4:33
Longest field goal against Saskatchewan since July 10, 2015 (B.C.’s Richie Leone, 56 yards)
Sask — FG Lauther 41 7:11
Patterson to Emilus for 13; Patterson to Bane Jr. for 23.
THIRD QUARTER
Sask — TD Ratkovich 15 pass from Patterson (Lauther convert) 6:55
Patterson faked a handoff to Ouellette on second-and-two and found a wide-open Ratkovich in the end zone
FOURTH QUARTER
Sask — FG Lauther 31 0:16
After a 29-yard pass interference penalty against Winnipeg, Patterson found Ajou for 33
Wpg — FG Castillo 39 9:09
The drive began when Wilson made a spectacular grab for a 20-yard gain
Sask — FG Lauther 32 13:28
Key play was Patterson to Ajou for 46 yards on second-and-seven
