With tempers flaring all game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts, it was the East Division team walking away with a 30-24 CFL win Saturday in Wolfville, N.S.
Moments after kicker Boris Bede missed a field-goal try that would have tied the game with 3:12 remaining, Saskatchewan quarterback Cody Fajardo’s pass was intercepted by Toronto’s Wynton McManis, who returned it for the final score of the game.
“It’s unfortunate to throw a pick six there when you are up. It’s probably the one I’d want back. Interceptions are going to happen in a game, but I put my team in a bad spot there,” Fajardo said.
While Fajardo tried to lead a drive to retake the lead, his final pass was slightly off target. Justin McInnis tipped it into the air and the ball ended up in the hands of Argos defensive back Shaq Richardson for an interception that sealed the outcome.
Even before the game, Richardson found himself as an important part of the story behind the game. Richardson and Riders slotback Duke Williams got into a confrontation which saw Williams throw Richardson’s helmet at him. Williams was allowed to play in the game.
Williams eventually caught a fourth-quarter pass and took it into the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown late in the game to tie it at 21-21.
After Brett Lauther subsequently gave the Riders a 24-21 lead, Bede’s single on the missed field-goal try cut Saskatchewan’s lead to 24-22. That set the stage for McManis’ pick six, which was followed by Brandon Banks’ two-point convert.
The ill will between the two clubs was evident all throughout the game, which featured a lot of post-whistle shoving. Both teams were penalized frequently, with the Riders having 13 penalties for 132 yards and the Argos taking 15 for 153 yards.
Williams and Richardson continued their rivalry, with the two seen snapping back and forth at each other. Late in the game, Richardson threw a punch at Williams but wasn’t penalized for it.
Richardson’s interception finally ended the Riders’ hopes of coming home from Nova Scotia with a win.
After the game, Saskatchewan head coach Craig Dickenson was questioned about Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie’s allegation that Williams had spit on Richardson twice.
“I hope (Williams) didn’t do that. We will look into it as thoroughly as we can and I will certainly sit down and visit with Duke. I don’t believe he would do that,” Dickenson said. “That’s not something we would ever tolerate.
“We will support our player but we will also investigate and find out exactly what happened.”
In the first quarter, Fajardo was grabbed by Argos defensive lineman Shawn Oakman and his braced knee was twisted as the quarterback tried to escape Oakman’s clutches. There was no call for roughing the passer on the play, even after a challenge from Dickenson.
Fajardo said he was surprised there was no call on it.
“You’ve got to keep it even throughout the entire league. As a quarterback standing up here, this is the second time I’ve taken a hit to the leg and no calls. Last time, there was a call but there was no fine, no talking (and) no reprimands,” Fajardo said.
The low hit on Fajardo came eight days after Roughriders defensive tackle Garrett Marino delivered a similar hit to Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. The Ottawa pivot is expected to miss up to 12 weeks with a leg injury.
Marino subsequently was suspended by the league for four games for his actions in that game.
Fajardo finished Saturday’s game with 284 yards passing with two touchdown passes and three interceptions.
While Fajardo appeared to be in discomfort due to hits to his left knee, Dickenson said there were no thoughts to pull the quarterback.
“I’d have a fight on my hands if I tried to take him out. He wants to finish the game. If I ever felt like he couldn’t effectively run the offence or was in threat of injuring himself further, I would definitely (pull him),” Dickenson said.
Fajardo said he will do what he can to play in next week’s game against the Argos at Mosaic Stadium.
“It sucks to not play at 100 per cent and feel like you can’t do everything you want. You have to make a business decision as well because you don’t want to be out there jeopardizing your team,” Fajardo said.
The Riders’ defence, which had a league-leading 23 sacks coming into the game, didn’t get to McLeod Bethel-Thompson once.
The unit, which was already missing Marino and defensive end Pete Robertson (ankle), was dealt some more blows just before the game. Defensive back Rolan Milligan (illness) and defensive end A.C. Leonard (shoulder) were late scratches.
“Anytime you don’t get immediate pressure on the quarterback, these quarterbacks are pretty good and they will find weaknesses in your secondary,” Dickenson said.
Bethel-Thompson finished the game with 276 yards passing with two touchdowns and only one interception.
The Riders are the only West Division team in the CFL this season to lose to an eastern counterpart, having also lost 37-13 to the Montreal Alouettes on June 23.
Kickoff for the rematch is set for 5 p.m. on Saturday.
