Riders hold on to defeat Redblacks in thriller at Mosaic Stadium

There were plenty of prizes handed out at the Queen City Ex this year, but Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Mason Fine ended a rollercoaster of a game with the biggest one of the weekend — his first win as a CFL quarterback.

The 26-year-old pivot threw a touchdown pass to go along with 296 yards in a 26-24 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday. He was 0-4 as a starter heading into the showdown at Mosaic Stadium, and he knew he had to start coming out on the right end of games.

“It’s getting there to where you need to start having a better win-loss record because as a professional quarterback, it doesn’t matter how you get it done, you’ve got to win football games,” Fine said. “You need to come down with that, especially being 3-4 and losing three games in a row, it’s good to get back on track and get that win.”

Fine was making his third straight start after replacing the injured Trevor Harris.

“We felt like he was our best quarterback and that he gave us the best chance to win,” Riders head coach Craig Dickenson said of Fine. “Win, lose or draw, we felt like he was playing good enough to give us a chance to win. That’s why we stuck with him and it paid off tonight.”

Dickenson said Fine didn’t need to win the game to keep his job but admits there’s only so much patience you can have in pro football.

“Eventually you need to see something — some return (on investment),” Dickenson said. “He knew that as well. It was important for him to win this game. He got a game ball because of it and hopefully that gives him some confidence.”

It was a close game with the Riders coming up short on a third-and-one try from their own 20-yard line with under two minutes to go in the game. Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward connected on a short field goal to put Ottawa up late.

But a 37-yard return by returner Mario Alford set the Riders up at their own 50. Fine completed a five-yard pass to give Brett Lauther a 54-yard attempt that sailed through the uprights to give Saskatchewan the win.

Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther attempts a field goal against the Ottawa Redblacks on Aug. 6, 2023. (Saskatchewan Roughriders)

“I never don’t have confidence,” Lauther said. “I think most guys know that around here … It’s about time I made one.

“It’s what I live for. I can’t compare it to anything else. I’m not going to be playing forever so just trying to enjoy it while I can and it’s an unimaginable high to be out there in front of everyone and to get a win for the guys, it feels great.”

Lauther was good on all four of his field-goal attempts.

Short yardage has become a growing concern for the Riders. The team made the move to make Jake Dolegala the short-yardage option instead of Shea Patterson the past couple of games.

But on Sunday, not only did the short-yardage unit come up short late in the game but a fumble by Dolegala led to Ottawa scoring its only touchdown when it was returned by Douglas Coleman into the end zone.

“We have to figure out a way to get a yard when we need it,” Dickenson said. “We will look at it. That will be something I will study this next week. We don’t have a lot of time to get ready for Montreal but we have to find a way to get a yard.”

In Fine’s first two starts of the season, the Riders’ offence didn’t score a touchdown with him leading the way.

Saskatchewan answered the call quickly Sunday, with Fine leading a drive that ended with running back Jamal Morrow scoring his first touchdown on the ground this season with a five-yard plunge into the end zone.

That was the first time the Riders scored a first-half offensive touchdown since June 16 in a game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“We wanted to start fast,” Fine said. “I’m more disappointed we couldn’t keep that going, especially in the first half.

“It felt like we could have put more points on the board and I was frustrated at times, especially when we got down there in the red zone.”

Slotback Shawn Bane Jr. was the Riders’ lone touchdown pass-catcher for the second straight game after going the first six games without finding the end zone. He came down with a 42-yard deep ball from Fine for the quarterback’s first touchdown pass in 2023 as a starter.

“I’m just trying to be a playmaker and you put me in a position, I can do exactly that,” Bane Jr. said.

As the offence continues to get more reps with Fine as the starter, Bane Jr. said he can tell the quarterback is building more confidence every game.

“That’s usually how it is,” Bane Jr. said. “If we can all rally behind him and learn our plays, the rest will take care of itself.”

While the offence answered the call, the Riders’ defence also came up big once again.

Saskatchewan’s defence was able to put pressure on Ottawa pivot Dustin Crum, sacking him six times in the contest. The defence didn’t give up a touchdown, limiting Ottawa to settle for five field goals from Ward. He added a single on his one miss of the night.

“It feels wonderful. (We) feel blessed to get a win,” said Riders defensive end Anthony Lanier II, who had three sacks in the games. “It’s what we came out here to do.”

While Crum completed 16 of 20 passes, he threw for just 174 yards against a tough Riders defence.

It’s a big win for the Riders as they move to 4-4 and snap a three-game losing streak. But the team won’t have much time to celebrate with a showdown in Montreal against the Alouettes — as well as former Riders quarterback Cody Fajardo and former Saskatchewan offensive co-ordinator Jason Maas — on Friday.