Riders drop 5th straight 31-21 to Hamilton

The Riders’ ship continues to sink in 2015 as they now sit at 0-5 on the season following a 31-21 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Mosaic Stadium.

Problems that have plagued the Riders through the first four weeks of the season were once again on display on Sunday night.

The defence failed to come through with the big play and once again, the team suffered a serious injury that threw a wrench into their plans. 

“We can’t mistakes. We’re not good enough to where – we don’t have that power, right now, to make that mistake and then come back,” said head coach Corey Chamblin. 

“Just right now, if we make a mistake, then here comes the second mistake. We will (make) mistakes because that’s football, just don’t make them back-to-back-to-back and let them snowball.”

Chamblin says those mistakes range from interceptions, to being out of position defensively, to penalties – none of which are new to the Riders.

While the Riders put up a fight, the team is at the point where being close to winning isn’t going to cut it.

“You can be as close as you want, but if you don’t figure it out, it’s not going to work,” said receiver Weston Dressler. 

The Riders are now on a short week with just one day of official on-field practice expected before Friday’s game in Edmonton.

Kevin Glenn questionable

With Darian Durant already done of the season, the Riders could hardly afford another injury at the quarterback position.

That’s what they’re facing now as Kevin Glenn left Sunday’s loss with an apparent shoulder injury. Chamblin wouldn’t confirm Glenn’s status following the game, only confirming that he was injured on the play after his interception at the end of the third quarter.

“I hope the announcement is he’s ready to go. That’s the announcement I’m looking for,” said the coach. 

Just when that announcement may come is unknown. With the Eskimos on the horizon, a decision at quarterback – if one has to be made – might not be announced until the day of the game. 

Chamblin didn’t rule out using both Brett Smith and Tino Sunseri on Friday night should Glenn not be able to go. 

Fullback Spencer Moore also left the game with an unknown injury

Number Crunching

Before leaving the game, Glenn was 22-for-33 for 255 yards, a touchdown and an interception. 

Weston Dressler was the Riders top receiver with 74 yards, Rob Bagg recorded the team’s only receiving touchdown on the night. 

Anthony Allen led the team with just 38 yards rushing. Smith recorded his third rushing touchdown of the season, taking the team lead in that category. 

The Tiger-Cats top-ranked defence held the Riders top ranked offence to just 322 total yards, including just 84 yards rushing. 

A bright spot for the Riders was their kick-cover units as they held Tiger-Cats returner Brandon Banks to just 84 return yards. 

Hamilton was only forced to punt once. Every other drive ended in either a touchdown or field-goal attempt. 

JGasson@rawlco.com
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