Riders’ fourth-quarter surge comes up short in 25-16 pre-season loss to Winnipeg

The Saskatchewan Roughriders couldn’t overcome a three-quarter scoring drought and continued their pre-season losing streak, falling 25-16 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Tuesday at Mosaic Stadium.

Pre-season wins have been a rarity for Saskatchewan, its last one coming in a 21-17 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks on June 14, 2014.

“I thought we’d play a little better, especially in the first half. I was disappointed we didn’t come out with a little more juice because we had a lot of players really looking forward to this game and as coaches, we were as well,” Saskatchewan head coach Craig Dickenson said.

Dickenson felt that for the most part, the players knew where they were supposed to be and there weren’t many mental mistakes.

“We just didn’t play well enough. We’ve got to take care of the football. I thought that hurt us in the first half – the fumbles and the interceptions,” Dickenson said.

One of the players who was looking forward to the game was quarterback Mason Fine, who didn’t get a pre-season game in 2021 and only appeared for a limited time in the Riders’ regular-season finale last season.

“There’s going to be some great things to take away and some bad things to take away. That first half, there were a lot of ups and downs – things I did poorly like footwork, decisions, and stuff like that,” Fine said.

Saskatchewan’s offence couldn’t get much going in the first half. Its first points didn’t come until the fourth quarter thanks to a Henry Nell 46-yard field goal.

But Fine settled into the game in the second half, leading a 78-yard drive that ended with him tossing a two-yard touchdown to Jester Weah. That pass was the first touchdown Fine has thrown in a game since 2019 as a member of the North Texas Mean Green.

“Hopefully I’ll maybe get one in the regular season at some point but it was good, just being out there on the field and throwing that touchdown pass and it just showed we put together a good drive,” Fine said. “Hopefully we can put a little bit more of those drives earlier and continue that momentum throughout four quarters.”

The Riders came into the game with a few roster spots up for grabs on the offensive side of the ball, primarily the running back and backup quarterback spots.

Frankie Hickson led the way for the rushers in the game, carrying the ball six times for 47 yards. The physical runner was able to bounce off multiple tackles in his first game action since 2019.

“What you saw out there was a hard-nosed (runner). I’m not going to go down easily unless I’m tripped,” Hickson said. “From what I understand, what Saskatchewan is is hard-nosed, rough and tough and I think I (showed) that out there.

“I love (the physicality). I love when those guys are out there and they think they take a shot at you and it didn’t feel like anything — it feels like a marshmallow.”

Jamal Morrow, who started the game for the Riders, ran three times for 23 yards. Shaq Cooper had two carries for five yards and Troymaine Pope had three carries for a yard.

The trio battling for the backup quarterback spot behind Cody Fajardo all received playing time: Fine, Jake Dolegala, and Troy Williams.

Fine finished the day completing 13 of 18 pass attempts for 114 yards, with one interception and a touchdown.

Dolegala was 6-for-10 for 70 yards with an interception and an 18-yard touchdown to Dieuly Aristilde Jr.

Williams completed five of seven passes for 41 yards.

The Bombers’ quarterbacks battling for the spot behind Zach Collaros both found the end zone in different ways. Dru Brown rushed one in from the one-yard line. Dakota Prukop connected on two touchdown passes – one to Whop Philyor for a 78-yard strike and then one in the fourth quarter to Tavaris Harrison.

Bombers kicker Marc Liegghio added on a field goal as well.

Now comes one of the hardest parts of being a professional coach – having to tell players their time with the team has come to an end. The Riders are expected to make about 10 cuts over the next 24 hours.

“It’s hard to make cuts. You grow attached to these guys and you like them and you’re pulling for them so it’s hard to make those decisions,” Dickenson said.

And with cut day looming, Hickson said all you can do at this point is rest and relax while waiting for the news if you’ve made the team or not.

“You enjoy the time with your teammates you’ve bonded with and you leave the results up to God and have faith,” Hickson said. “If I told you I didn’t get nervous, I’d be lying to you.”

The Roughriders complete their exhibition slate Friday in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions. Game time on TSN is 8 p.m.

The Green Zone pre-game show starts at 6 p.m., and the post-game show begins immediately after the game.