Offence ‘two or three plays away’ from putting up more points: Maas

Offensive co-ordinator Jason Maas believes the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offence has been improving, even if it hasn’t translated to a lot of points on the scoreboard.

The Riders’ offence hasn’t scored more than 20 points in five straight games — 17 points Oct. 2 against the Calgary Stampeders, 19 points Oct. 9 against Calgary, 20 points Oct. 23 versus the Stampeders, 19 points Oct. 30 versus the Montreal Alouettes, and 19 on Friday against the Edmonton Elks.

But the Riders have won three straight games despite the offence struggling to find the end zone.

“I know everybody looks at that number and thinks that we’re not playing very good football offensively and if you’re just looking at a number and going off that, then yes (we haven’t been playing well),” Maas said Tuesday.

“(The points) have been winnable numbers for us but not what we would prefer. I don’t know what an exact number is that you want to score on offence every single week. The object of the game is to beat the opponent and score more points than them. We all understand that if we score 30 or 40 points a game the last five weeks, none of those games are close.”

The most recent close call came Friday with the Riders barely escaping Edmonton with a 19-17 win over the Elks.

The teams are to meet in a rematch Saturday, this time at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff for the game is set for 3 p.m.

Maas said it’s his job after each game to watch the film and analyze why the offence’s play didn’t translate into more points.

“Every week I look at it, I do see improvement and I do see things that we are doing well and I know we are close to having two or three plays decidedly making it 30-point games for us,” Maas said.

“Are we playing good enough football to win? I think we are and I would like to play better, absolutely, and I think our guys would like to play better. Sometimes it comes down to two or three better decisions on certain plays that are there to be made that do provide you more room or close out some games.

“I really believe — and I think the guys in our room believe — we are ready to break out and we’re confident enough to know that we can do it.”

One thing that has continued to plague the Riders has been the big play, with only nine pass plays gaining more than 30 yards. Only the Ottawa Redblacks have fewer, with eight.

But there was a glimmer of hope as slotback Duke Williams came up with a 38-yard reception that led to a touchdown two plays later.

Throughout the game, the Riders missed on a few other shots the offence took down the field.

Quarterback Cody Fajardo admitted he needs to be better when it comes to the deep ball.

“There’s a lot of room for improvement for me. On the first play of the game, I left (the pass) inside and didn’t give Shaq (Evans, wide receiver) a chance and I threw an interception. Later in the game, I threw one that ended up going out of bounds,” Fajardo said.

“It’s not on those guys. A lot of it lies with me and a lot of it is forcing it downfield as well. A few throws in that game I forced it downfield because I know we have the receivers that can make those plays down the field. But if I’m not giving them an opportunity, then it’s just tough on them to make a play.”

Despite that, the Riders have a chance to clinch a home playoff game by either beating the Elks or having Calgary lose to the B.C. Lions on Friday.

“We’re finding ways to win,” Fajardo said. “We’re a gritty football team that’s willing to do it for the guys next to him rather than himself.”

Notes: For the second straight week, Roughriders defensive end A.C. Leonard has been named a CFL top performer. In the win against Edmonton, Leonard had three tackles, two sacks, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.