Rider Rumblings Ep 165: Roughriders picking each other up in 2-0 start
After beating the Ottawa Redblacks in Week 1, the Green and White picked up a second straight victory to begin the 2025 CFL season with a 28-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday.
In Episode 165 of the Rider Rumblings podcast, Leader-Post sports editor Taylor Shire and columnist Darrell Davis discuss the highs and lows in the game from Brett Lauther's kicking problems to A.J. Ouellette's strong performance returning from a concussion.
The duo also previews Saskatchewan's Week 3 matchup as the Riders get set to visit the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night in their second straight road game against an East Division opponent.
10 Thoughts: Roughriders run game, kicking problems and more
The Big Question: What will the Saskatchewan Roughriders do about their kicking situation?
The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark leaderpost.com and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
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Hamilton Spectator
20 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Carney, Mitchell named top defensive, offensive players in CFL's honour roll.
TORONTO - Malik Carney of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Bo Levi Mitchell of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats were named the top defensive and offensive players Tuesday in the CFL's honour roll. Carney, a defensive end, earned a grade of 88.7 for his play in Saskatchewan's 21-18 win over the Edmonton Elks, registering four tackles and two sacks over 37 total defensive snaps. He also earned a grade of 85.5 on 31 rush snaps. Mitchell received a grade of 85.1 in leading Hamilton past the B.C. Lions 37-33. The veteran quarterback completed 34-of-41 passes (82.9 per cent) for 389 yards with three TDs to earn his second selection this season. Hamilton's offensive line had the best group rating of 77.0, with the top three performers being Liam Dobson (78.8), Coulter Woodmansey (74.6) and Brandon Revenberg (64.5). Dobson also registered the top individual grade for offensive linemen. The CFL honour roll highlights players in nine positions based on data points registered and compiled by Pro Football Focus, an American sports analytics company. The other individual winners included: B.C. running back James Butler (74.4); Toronto Argonauts receiver Damonte Coxie (85.0); Argos linebacker Cameron Judge (83.2); Lions defensive back Robert Carter Jr. 87.3); Hamilton returner Isaiah Wooden Sr. (69.2); Edmonton punter Cody Grace (85.6); and B.C. special-teams player Jacob Bond (89.5). This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
10 Thoughts: Roughriders made life difficult for Fajardo and the Elks
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are living up to expectations. Considered by many as one of the favourites to come out of the West Division in 2025, the Roughriders are off to a CFL-best 6-1 record through Week 8 of the season after a 21-18 win over the Edmonton Elks on Friday. And while the game was probably closed than the Roughriders would have liked in the end, Saskatchewan was able to close it out when it mattered thanks to a strong defensive performance. Here are the top 10 takeaways from the victory: 10 Thoughts: 1. Has there ever been a player that's had to wait two-plus seasons to face his former team in the CFL for the first time? That was the case for Elks' quarterback Cody Fajardo on Friday night, who started for Edmonton in place of the benched Tre Ford. After being shown the door by management following the 2022 season, Fajardo spent two years with the Montreal Alouettes but was injured every time they faced Saskatchewan. The 'Fajardo-return-to-Saskatchewan' finally happened on Friday night although it wasn't as spicy as it would have been if this was 2023. 2. Saskatchewan's defence made life miserable for Fajardo as he was sacked eight times. He took much of the blame for not getting the ball out sooner, but he still threw for 395 yards in the game and two touchdowns, including a 57-yarder to Kaion Julien-Grant, which followed a patented Fajardo spin-o-rama. Sounds like the Elks are sticking with him moving forward, which I think is a good decision. 3. The Roughriders defensive front had its best game of the year. Along with the eight sacks, the group allowed just five yards to Edmonton's two running backs. Saskatchewan's run defence hasn't been as good this year compared to previous years, but Friday's effort was worth noting even if the Elks abandoned the run when they trailed in the second half. 4. Sacks are the sexy stat, but sometimes quarterback pressure can paint a bigger picture. Defensive end Malik Carney, who was one of three Riders who had two sacks on Friday, sits second in the CFL with 25 quarterback pressures this year behind B.C.'s Mathieu Betts. Pressures are something that should be talked about more, along with pass knockdowns. 5. Friday's game not only featured two quarterbacks who replaced each other in the 2023 season — as Harris signed in Saskatchewan after playing in Montreal in 2022 — but it was also a matchup of the two quarterbacks with the highest completion percentage in CFL history. Entering the game, Fajardo ranked first all-time at 71.0 per cent while Harris was just behind him at 70.9 per cent. On Friday, Fajardo kept his all-time lead as he was 78.8 per cent in the game while 75.8 per cent. Harris also extended his CFL record to 10 straight games with a completion percentage over 70 per cent. 6. After being a special teams stalwart for his first three CFL seasons, Roughriders linebacker A.J. Allen is making the most of his opportunity now that he's getting a chance to start. Already with 29 tackles, one interception and one sack on the season, Allen added to his totals on Friday with five tackles, one special teams tackle and a sack for a loss of 18. He's also had a couple near interceptions this year and last week, he deflected a ball into the hands of teammate Marcus Sayles against the B.C. Lions. 7. Allen still plays lots of special teams but injuries to key special teamers Lake Korte-Moore and Aubrey Miller Jr. on Friday forced linebacker Jameer Thurman and Carney into the game on special teams. I know there are some starters who play a lot of special teams, but when you're pressed into it like that, it could be an issue. That wasn't the case for the Riders on Friday so props to them for making sure that 'next man up' mentality isn't limited to offence or defence. 8. In his second game filling in for the injured Mario Alford, rookie returner Drae McCray looked a little shaky early with a couple of drops on punt returns. However, none of them were costly as they didn't result in turnovers and he redeemed himself with a nice 42-yard return in the third quarter. After an impressive pre-season, many fans were excited to see what McCray could do and so far through two games, he's averaging 13.6 yards per return, which ranks fourth in the CFL among primary returners as he's just ahead of Alford who has a 12.1 yard average in five games. 9. Kicker Brett Lauther did not have a good start to the game as he missed a 47-yard field goal early on. However, like McCray he redeemed himself with a successful 51-yarder and 46-yarder later on. With Lauther kicked at a CFL-low 69.6 success rate, some fans want to see the Riders bring in competition. However, that might do more harm than good in a tight-knit locker room. We'll see. 10. There's also lots of talk about 'killer instinct.' If this were a team from the past, Saskatchewan would have found some weird way to lose that game by allowing a return, committing a turnover or some other strange play. Instead, after giving up a pair of touchdowns earlier in the fourth quarter, the defence was able to close it out with a pair of sacks on the final Edmonton drive, which followed a great punt by Joe Couch. This Corey-Mace led team is not going to be one of those teams. tshire@ Related Roughriders hold on for 21-18 victory over Elks on Friday Up Close: Meet Roughriders running back A.J. Ouellette The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Roughriders hold on for 21-18 victory over Elks on Friday
The Saskatchewan Roughriders sit atop the CFL standings. With a 21-18 victory over the Edmonton Elks on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium in Week 8 of the CFL season, the Roughriders improved to 6-1 while the Elks dropped to 1-5. Saskatchewan leapfrogged the Calgary Stampeders (5-2), who lost to the Montreal Alouettes (5-2) on Thursday, to take over the division lead. Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris passed for 268 yards and two touchdowns, with Samuel Emilus serving as his favourite target as the Canadian receiver had 113 yards and a touchdown. On the other side, the Roughriders defence made life tough for Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo, who was making his first start against his former team, who he spent three seasons with. Saskatchewan's defence sacked Fajardo eight times in the first meeting of the season between the two teams, who will meet again in Week 17. While the Roughriders built up a 21-4 lead in the fourth quarter, the Elks battled back with 14 points in the fourth quarter to make it 21-18, which is as close as they would get. In front of an announced attendance of 27,933 tickets distributed, it was a slow start to the game. On Saskatchewan's first offensive possession, Harris hit Emilus for a 16-yard gain as part of a five-play, 24-yard drive before Brett Lauther came in for a 47-yard field goal attempt. However, the kick was wide right and went through the back of the end zone as Saskatchewan came away with a rouge to go up 1-0. Edmonton tied the game up 1-1 on their next drive with a punt single. After a punt by Saskatchewan, Fajardo hit receiver Zach Mathis, who was injured on the play, for a 35-yard gain before kicker Vincent Blanchard gave Edmonton a 4-1 lead with a 15-yard field goal at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, on Saskatchewan's fourth drive of the game, Harris found Emilus for a 43-yard gain before the Riders got down to Edmonton's two-yard line. After two unsuccessful attempts to punch it in, the Riders elected to gamble on third down and short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens was stopped, resulting in a turnover on downs. Following a defensive stop by Saskatchewan, highlighted by an 18-yard sack on Fajardo by linebacker A.J. Allen, Saskatchewan's offence got the ball back and after Harris hit KeeSean Johnson for back-to-back first downs, two Edmonton pass interference penalties put the ball at the 15-yard line. From there, Emilus took a sweep pass from Harris and rumbled into the end zone to put Saskatchewan up 8-4. Before the first half was up, the Roughriders tacked on three more points to go up 11-4 as Lauther nailed a 51-yard field goal. In the second half, the Roughriders added to their lead. After a 34-yard pass to Emilus which put him over 100 in the game, Harris hit Dohnte Meyers for a 30-yard gain. Two plays later, Harris hit Johnson in the end zone for the eight-yard touchdown to put the Riders up 18-4 with the convert. Near the end of the third quarter, after a 42-yard punt return by Drae McCray, Lauther nailed a 46-yard field goal to put Saskatchewan up 21-4. In the fourth quarter, the Elks cut into the lead as Fajardo spun out of the pocket and found an open Kaion Julien-Grant, who spun away from a defender before scoring on a 57-yard touchdown to make it 21-11. Saskatchewan's defence forced Edmonton into punts on their next two drives before the Elks made it 21-18 as Fajardo hit Steven Dunbar Jr. on a 13-yard touchdown strike with 1:56 left. While Edmonton got the ball back in the final minute, Saskatchewan's defence was able to close out the game with sacks on the final two plays to secure the victory. Next week, the Roughriders are set to visit the Montreal Alouettes on Aug. 2. The Alouettes (5-2) are coming off a 23-21 win over Calgary on Thursday. More to come… tshire@ Related Roughriders deploy third left tackle just six games into season Roughriders' RB Ka'Deem Carey not expected to return this season with knee injury The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
