Marshall law: Overtime interception clinches Riders’ victory in Calgary

Nic Marshall proved to be the overtime hero for the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday at McMahon Stadium.

The defensive back picked off a pass from quarterback Jake Maier in the Riders’ end zone to clinch Saskatchewan’s 29-26 OT win over the Calgary Stampeders.

“It’s complete jubilation (on the sideline),” quarterback Trevor Harris said about watching the Marshall interception. “Our defence came up with a play and they did a great job.

“It makes a great difference from being 1-1-1 and 2-1 … It allows our team to feel these wins in tight games and those are big wins to get because you know that you believe you can get those things done.”

Linebacker Larry Dean, who had another of the Riders’ three interceptions in the game, said the play showed the defence knows how to win games for the team.

“We had to finish the game out and we were called upon. When the opportunity presented itself (for Marshall), he made the play,” Dean said. “I’m glad for him because he was a little bit down on himself because he dropped one early.”

The CFL game went to overtime tied at 23-23. Calgary struck first with a field goal from Rene Paredes. The Riders answered with a kick from Brett Lauther to match it.

On the Riders’ second possession of overtime, they once again got three points from Lauther with another field goal.

Calgary was in position for a game-tying field goal when Maier threw a pass into the Saskatchewan end zone, where Marshall was waiting for the game-ending pick.

“That was a big (win),” head coach Craig Dickenson said. “I’ve been a part of a lot of exciting games and that ranks up there with the best of them.

“We had a million ways we could have won that game but we weren’t able to do it. We had a bunch of ways we could have really packed it in and found a way to lose and we found a way to win.

“I thought it was a big character win. I was really proud of the guys and we certainly feel a lot better going into our bye (week) 2-1.”

Injuries were a major storyline heading into the game for the Riders, who added six players to the injured list after last week’s 45-27 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Another blow was dealt to the Riders with left tackle Jerald Hawkins, who was playing in his first CFL game after being away from the team due to a personal matter, left early in the game due to injury.

“We will know more (Sunday) but we are concerned about it,” Dickenson said.

That led to some shuffling in the O-line, with Logan Bandy going into the game at right guard and Logan Ferland bumping out to left tackle — a position he hasn’t played since 2019 as a member of the Regina Thunder.

“It’s like it always is — adversity. Especially for the O-line, it’s always adversity,” Ferland said. “It doesn’t matter who is in there or what position they are in, we have to fill in like nothing happened. I feel like we did a decent job of that tonight.”

While the Riders had to make changes to the offensive line, the game plan didn’t change for the Green and White.

Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Jamal Morrow leaps away from Calgary Stampeders defensive back Tre Roberson during first half CFL football action in Calgary, Alta., on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

The Riders focused on running the ball for much of the game, with Jamal Morrow getting most of the carries. Morrow had 22 carries for 133 yards after rushing for a combined 100 yards in his previous two games.

“(Morrow) showed a lot of heart back there and boy, did he run hard,” Dickenson said. “A lot of times he was stuck in the backfield and found a way to get out and gain yards.”

While the Riders emerged with the win, it was tough sledding for the offence in the first half. Saskatchewan only put up three points before adjustments were made in the locker room at halftime.

“It was a multitude of things … We were just small details away (from having success),” Harris said. “We were able to make our adjustments and be able to put some drives together in the second half.

“Big-time stuff from our offence being able to adjust and do certain things that we were able to combat what they were trying to do to us.”

Harris, who threw for 413 yards in last week’s loss to Winnipeg, threw for 273 yards, with a touchdown to Tevin Jones and one interception in this week’s contest.

Short-yardage quarterback Shea Patterson punched in two touchdowns from the one-yard line in the win.

But a lot of attention came when Patterson was stopped on a third-and-one play deep in Calgary territory with about 1:20 left in the game. Maier and the Calgary offence then drove down the field to set up a 53-yard Paredes field goal to send the game into overtime.

“We had it figured out that we could have won the game right there if we got it,” Dickenson said. “We felt like it was worth the risk. Anytime you can win the game with the ball in your hands, we feel like we want to do it.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get it.”

The Riders’ defence didn’t give Maier much on Saturday. The 26-year-old quarterback threw for 288 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Maier also added a rushing touchdown.

Paredes hit all four of his field-goal attempts. Lauther made three of four field-goal attempts but also missed a convert.

Both the Riders (2-1) and Stamps (1-2) will have a bye week next week.

With injuries piling up, the bye week could be coming at a good time for Saskatchewan.

“I need to get healthy,” Harris said. “Coming into this game, I had a decent rib deal going on. I kept trying to stretch it today to be able to throw and it was kind of taking my breath away.

“I’m going to try to get some rest and try to get healed up. I’m going to spend some time with my wife and my three boys.

“We’re beat up.”

Saskatchewan will be in action again on July 6 against the Edmonton Elks (0-2).