In the winning locker room after the game, Marshall compared Montreal to a dazed Mike Tyson looking for his mouthpiece after being knocked out by Buster Douglas for his title.
Considering the Als were a successful onside kick from pushing the 27-24 loss into overtime, though, I'd say Montreal fought gamely to the final bell after an early knockdown only to lose on points.
In fact, if someone had told me the Alouettes would have a legitimate shot to tie the game down the stretch after losing their all-world QB in the second quarter with an eye injury, giving up over 100 yards on eight untimely penalties, losing the turnover battle to the Riders 3-1, and generally suffering a breakdown of composure in the final minutes of the game, I would've passed out laughing.
That the Als stayed in the game fighting after all of the mental and physical errors the team committed is testament to the depth and talent on the roster. It's also proof that Sunday's loss was far from a knockout win for the Roughriders.
All that said, credit has to be given to the Riders for taking the fight to the Alouettes early and often. Saskatchewan attacked the Als defensively with the kind of consistent and effective pass rush they've lacked all season, and Darian Durant absolutely killed the Als' defence with his ability to bite off long gains with his feet on second and long to move the chains throughout the tilt.
Backed against the proverbial wall and facing an untenable 0-4 start to the season, the Riders came out throwing haymakers. And enough of those punches connected for Gang Green to win the bout.
Toeing the Line
Coming into the game with the league's worst pass rush, Saskatchewan really turned things around against the Alouettes' offensive line. The Riders' front four repeatedly beat Montreal's o-line with looping stunts into the interior of the Als' line confusing assignments and winning one-on-one battles along the line of scrimmage.
Even when Anthony Calvillo was in the game for the Als, the Riders' pressure caused some serious trouble disrupting his timing and forcing several rushed throws and throwaways. Much of the pressure came straight up the gut from Saskatchewan's defensive tackles causing immediate issues in the Als' backfield.
Once Adrian McPherson entered the game in relief of Calvillo, the Riders' defensive ends, particularly Remond Willis and Luc Mullinder, began exerting their dominance with speed rushes off the edges to flush McPherson out of the pocket and to limit his options on the run. Combined with all of the Riders' loops and games along the line of scrimmage, that outside pressure unsettled the Als' passing game for most of the second half.
Second and Not Long Enough
Probably the most frustrating aspect of the game to watch was the inability of the Als' defence to get the Roughriders off the field in second-and-long situations. Whether chalked up to lack of rush-lane integrity or Durant's athleticism, there were just too many instances of the Riders' QB escaping the pocket for long gains to extend drives and eat clock.
By game's end, Durant had ripped off 71 yards on seven carries. Those yards, especially given the Als' own lack of offensive rhythm, were absolute backbreakers, moving the chains and keeping Montreal's defence on the field.
For their part, the Riders executed a brilliant game plan utilizing misdirection via half rolls and play fakes to give Durant the edge on bootlegs. All of the counter motion succeeded in sucking the Als' edge defenders like Jermaine McElveen and Chip Cox infield and opening tons of space for Durant outside to run for the sticks or to locate his receivers unhurried and unbothered.
In combination with all of the cheap yards the Riders gained off unnecessary roughness, illegal contact, and other major fouls committed by the Alouettes' D, Durant's rushing yards were just too much for Montreal to overcome.
Five Plays that Swung the Game
1) Durant's 75-yard TD Bomb to Dressler. (2nd Quarter, 6:41)
Working off high motion in the slot, Dressler ran a shallow post route behind the Als' linebackers. When DB Dwight Anderson jumped that underneath route, Dressler wheeled into a corner route to the short-side perimeter. Durant hit Dressler in stride for the uncontested TD to give the Riders a 14-10 lead. Als safety Etienne Boulay looked to be influenced by Durant's half roll to the field, pulling him to support the coverage to the wide side. When Durant threw back to the boundary side of the field, it was too much ground for Boulay to make up. The play was an obvious breakdown in either assignment or communication, and it put the Als' offence in a hole way too soon after a go-ahead score of their own.
2) Sean Lucas' Interception. (2nd Quarter, 7:32)
When DT Dario Romero beat Luc Brodeur-Jourdain with a strong move across the centre's face, he rushed immediately into Calvillo's lap. The quick pressure in his face forced Calvillo to release his pass to Brian Bratton too quickly on a deep out. Lucas made a superb one-handed pick on the play, but the more significant result was caused by Romero. When he brought Calvillo to the ground, Romero landed on Calvillo forcing the QB's head into the turf and putting pressure on his right eye, which caused a temporary loss of vision and his removal from the game. More than just the loss of offensive production, Calvillo's leaving the game undeniably altered the composure and execution of the Als for the remaining two and a half quarters.
3) The Riders' Massive Drive to Open the Second Half. (3rd Quarter, :06-5:51)
The Riders opened the second half with a 13-yard completion to Terrence Nunn on a slip screen to get the ball rolling downhill. They then moved on to punishing the Als' D on the ground with Wes Cates and through the air via passes to both Cates and Chris Getzlaf in front of the Als' coverage. The scoring drive was aided considerably by a hands-to-the-face call on Als DT J.P. Bekasiak setting the Riders up with a first and goal opportunity. After another quick pass to Nunn and a goal-line plunge by Cates, Saskatchewan had a two-score lead. More than just the score, however, the length of the drive forced the Als' offence onto its back foot to start the second half, and it really made coming back into the game an uphill climb.
4) Etienne Boulay's Illegal Contact Penalty. (4th Quarter, 11:08)
On a key second and 10 with momentum shifting a little bit, Chip Cox slapped down a Darian Durant pass intended for Wes Cates to force a punting situation. Cox's play, however, was eradicated by the penalty called on Boulay. With the Als D lined up in cover 0, Boulay had crept up to the line of scrimmage to guard against the draw. When Cates motioned into the slot to go out into the pattern, Boulay was caught out of position and had to grab Cates at the waist to slow his progress. The penalty not only nullified Cox's play, it extended a drive that eventually led to the three points that gave the Riders the margin of victory. Had the Als forced Saskatchewan to punt in that situation, it would've given Adrian McPherson the ball with momentum and four minutes to operate. And it might've meant a different outcome to the game. As a coda to the play, it's worth noting that the drive was also extended by the play that saw Dwight Anderson poke Wes Dressler in the eye to draw a needless, not to mention selfish, unnecessary roughness penalty. More than just giving the Riders another unearned first down, that play might just turn into the kind of gift that keeps on giving with possible disciplinary action coming down on Anderson from the league office.
5) Billy Parker's Fumble Recovery and 21-yard Return. (4th Quarter, 14:17)
With the Roughriders up by 10 points and set to run out the clock, RB Hugh Charles put the ball on the ground after contact with Kitwana Jones. Parker scooped up the ball on the Riders' 27-yard line and returned it to the 6, setting up an improbable TD run by Adrian McPherson and some serious drama for the last 26 seconds of the game. A successful onside kick would've given the Als the ball with plenty of time to move into scoring position to tie, or even to win, a game they had no business being in after the cavalcade of errors they committed Sunday night.
Up Next
Be sure to check back next Thursday for my preview of the Alouettes' game against the Hamilton Ticats. With former Alouette Avon Cobourne on the docket, I'll be taking a look at the role of the Als' front seven in keeping the Ticats' running attack contained. I should also have an update on Anthony Calvillo's condition.
Until then, take care, and be sure to keep all reactions in check heading into August. It's too early in the season for highs and lows to kick in now.
