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Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
10 Thoughts: Top takeaways from the Roughriders win in Toronto
For a third straight game, the Saskatchewan Roughriders sealed a victory in the final minute. While it was the Green and White's defence securing wins in the first two weeks of the season, on Friday in Week 3 of the CFL season it was Mario Alford and the special teams unit helping Saskatchewan improve to 3-0. After the Toronto Argonauts tied the game 32-32 with a touchdown in the final minute, Alford returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards to clinch the victory. It was the highlight of the game, which featured plenty of good and bad for the Green and White. Here are the top takeaways from Saskatchewan's Week 3 contest: 1. This game was destined for overtime until Alford's kickoff return sealed the victory for the Roughriders. We highlighted Alford last week after his strong performance against Hamilton and he had another strong game on Friday, highlighted by his game-winning return. Earlier in the game, he also had a 35-yard return which he cut back inside to gain a few more yards instead of going out of bounds like he started doing last year. The league's top special teams player in 2022 has silenced any and all doubters at this point. 2. Either the Roughriders defence wasn't ready to play or the Argonauts dialed up the perfect play calls on their opening drive. Nick Arbuckle was six-for-six and threw a touchdown pass to Dejon Brissett on the opening drive of the game to give the home team a 7-0 lead. Bend and break. However, Saskatchewan's defence rebounded nicely with three straight two-and-outs before forcing a turnover on downs on the next drive. But then the group couldn't get a stop in the final minute like they did in the previous two weeks. They're still one of the best groups in the league. 3. Speaking of that turnover on downs, it came at the end of a 17-play, 76-yard drive. There aren't too many 17-play drives that end in zero points. There aren't many 17-play drives in general. 4. A.J. Ouellette is back to his all-star form. Following a 96-yard performance last week against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ouellette had 91 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Argos. He also pulled off a near identical touchdown run this week as he rumbled 25 yards into the end zone off the right side of the offensive line. He's looking like a patient runner this year and you have to wonder if the weight he dropped this off-season is also helping his game. 5. It was Samuel Emilus leading the way in Week 1 and KeeSean Johnson in Week 2. On Friday night, it was Dohnte Meyers' turn as he had a team high 125 receiving yards and two touchdowns for the Riders. With Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker on the injured list, the rest of Saskatchewan's receivers are stepping up, including Meyers and veteran Mitch Picton, who had a highlight-reel 33-yard catch in the game. 6. Cornerback Marcus Sayles should have had an interception in the final minute of the first half. Instead, he dropped it and the Argos tacked on a field goal at the end of the first half. Those three points could have totally changed how the fourth quarter played out. I guess you could say that about a lot of plays, including Brett Lauther's missed field goal in the fourth quarter, which could have basically iced the game for the Riders. 7. As for Lauther, he had a rough game last week as he missed three field goals and a convert. On Friday night, he was 5-for-5 on convert attempts but 1-for-2 on field goals with his miss coming from 33 yards. After his poor outing in Week 2, is that lone miss cause for concern? Not yet. Mainly because the team is 3-0 and Lauther has been one of the most clutch kickers over the last decade. 8. Tommy Stevens is a short-yardage quarterback, but his 19-yard run in the first quarter would suggest otherwise. He's the best in the league and not one but two yards seem like a guarantee when he pushes forward. Sure, Stevens later scored a touchdown from two yards out, but Saskatchewan's offence should keep quarterback Trevor Harris, a short-pass master, in the game when it's first-and-goal from Toronto's eight-yard line. 9. While Harris took a couple of big hits in the first half on Friday, the offensive line allowed just one sack while Saskatchewan's defence generated four sacks including one by linebacker A.J. Allen, who started his second straight game and continues to prove he's more than just a special teamer. 'The battle in the trenches' is a popular clinch but there's a reason why it's so popular — because it's true. 10. After being flagged just eight times in the first two games, Saskatchewan committed 18 penalties for 178 yards on Friday. Some of those were suspect calls, some were offsetting 15-yard player misconduct penalties (which I don't think I've ever seen that many called in a game) while others cost the Roughriders valuable field position. For whatever reason, the game seemed very heated and discipline is something head coach Corey Mace will be harping on at practice next week. tshire@ Alford, Roughriders stun Argonauts in dying seconds to win 39-32 Up Close: Meet Roughriders receiver KeeSean Johnson 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
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alford's 99-yard kickoff return for TD lifts Riders to wild 39-32 win over Argos
TORONTO — As Corey Mace prepared for overtime, Mario Alford took matters into his own hands. Alford's 99-yard kickoff return touchdown with nine seconds remaining in regulation time rallied the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a stirring 39-32 CFL win over the ailing Toronto Argonauts on Friday night. Advertisement Alford's heroics came after Toronto's Nick Arbuckle capped a 70-yard, nine-play drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Mital. Arbuckle then found Dejon Brissett for the two-point convert to make it 32-32. And that had Mace, the Riders head coach, looking ahead to overtime. "Honestly, I was looking at my overtime sheet," Mace said. "I did think we had a chance … depending on how far we get the return whether we're going to play for overtime or be able to go kick (the game-winning field goal). "Special teams did the rest … to have a walk-off like that was incredible." Advertisement Arbuckle was 26-of-33 passing for 259 yards with two TDs and an interception. Mital had seven catches for 98 yards and the touchdown. Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie cited two factors that worked against his club on Alford's return. First, he said game officials missed an illegal block that Dinwiddie couldn't challenge. Secondly, Toronto's kickoff team only had 11 men on the field. "Special teams, I thought, was pretty bad for a third week in a row," Dinwiddie said. "We've got to get that fixed." Ironically, it was Saskatchewan's special teams that allowed Toronto (0-3) an opportunity to force overtime. Arbuckle's heroics came after Brett Lauther missed a 33-yard field goal at 12:58 to put the Riders (3-0) ahead 32-24. Advertisement Lauther missed three field goals and a convert in last week's 28-23 road win over Hamilton. "We would've been happy to get a decent return and play for a game-winner off Number 12 (Lauther)," Mace said. "We still would've put the trust in him. That's our guy and he'll continue to be our guy." Tommy Stevens' two-yard scoring run at 4:38 put Saskatchewan ahead 31-21. Lirim Hajrullahu's 25-yard field goal at 8:02 pulled Toronto to within 31-24. Saskatchewan's wins have all come against East Division teams. Trevor Harris completed 13-of-17 passes for 234 yards with two TDs and an interception while Dohnte Meyers had four catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Advertisement "It seems like every game there's something going on that surprises us and brings some wild circumstances and tonight was no different," Harris said. "I'm just super happy for Mario, he's just an explosive returner." A.J. Ouellette ran for 91 yards and a TD on 17 carries. But the teams combined for 29 penalties for 307 yards (Saskatchewan had 18 for 178 yards, Toronto had 11 for 129 yards) before a BMO Field gathering of 12,025. Saskatchewan had eight penalties for 125 yards combined over its first contests. "That goes to show you in this league you make it really tough to win when you're giving away free yards," Mace said. "We obviously have to get better at that … but to walk out of here with a win on a short week, we'll feel good about that." Advertisement Dinwiddie didn't hide his disdain for Toronto's lack of on-field discipline. "I'm pretty embarrassed by it," he said. "They (Riders) were chirping all game … we got involved in the chirping game and it cost us. "We had selfish penalties, that's the one thing I hate. It isn't about you, it's about the team. We aren't even close to being there. We don't know how to not lose games. It's not about winning games, (it's) not losing games." Toronto — 0-3 for the first time since 2019 — came into the contest short-handed. Quarterback Chad Kelly (leg) and receiver/returner Janarion Grant both missed their third straight game for Toronto. Joining them among the Argos walking wounded were linebackers Wynton McManis (knee) and Jack Cassar (adductor), running back Deonta McMahon (ankle), receiver DaVaris Daniels (hip), defensive lineman Demarcus Christmas (Achilles) and offensive linemen Sage Doxtater (knee), Dylan Giffen (back) and Darius Ciraco (foot). Advertisement Then in the first half, Toronto lost linebacker Kenneth George Jr. (leg) and defensive lineman Derek Parish (foot). Brissett and Jarret Doege also scored touchdowns for Toronto. Jake Herslow added a two-point convert while Hajrullahu booted a convert and three field goals. Lauther kicked five converts and a field goal. Hajrullahu's 24-yard field goal at 8:42 of the third pulled Toronto to within 24-13. Doege scored on a one-yard run at 12:59 before Arbuckle hit Herslow for the two-point convert to cut Saskatchewan's lead to 24-21. Harris threw a 70-yard TD strike to Meyers at 1:16, giving the Riders a 24-10 advantage. Advertisement Hajrullahu's 56-yard field goal to end the second quarter cut Saskatchewan's halftime lead to 17-10. It followed the Riders' goal-line stand with 56 seconds left as Kevin Brown was stopped at the one-yard line to end a 17-play, 97-yard drive. Lauther gave Saskatchewan a 17-7 advantage with a 16-yard boot at 1:25. Harris put Saskatchewan ahead 14-7 with a 32-yard TD pass to Meyers at 11:54 of the first. It was set up by Alford's 35-yard punt return. Ouellette had a 25-yard TD run at 8:26. Arbuckle opened the scoring with a five-yard TD pass to Brissett at 4:50. UP NEXT Roughriders: Host the B.C. Lions on Saturday, June 28. Argonauts: Visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday, June 29. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
National Post
6 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
10 Thoughts: Top takeaways from the Roughriders win in Toronto
For a third straight game, the Saskatchewan Roughriders sealed a victory in the final minute. Article content While it was the Green and White's defence securing wins in the first two weeks of the season, on Friday in Week 3 of the CFL season it was Mario Alford and the special teams unit helping Saskatchewan improve to 3-0. Article content Article content After the Toronto Argonauts tied the game 32-32 with a touchdown in the final minute, Alford returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards to clinch the victory. It was the highlight of the game, which featured plenty of good and bad for the Green and White. Article content 10 Thoughts Article content 1. This game was destined for overtime until Alford's kickoff return sealed the victory for the Roughriders. We highlighted Alford last week after his strong performance against Hamilton and he had another strong game on Friday, highlighted by his game-winning return. Earlier in the game, he also had a 35-yard return which he cut back inside to gain a few more yards instead of going out of bounds like he started doing last year. The league's top special teams player in 2022 has silenced any and all doubters at this point. Article content 2. Either the Roughriders defence wasn't ready to play or the Argonauts dialed up the perfect play calls on their opening drive. Nick Arbuckle was six-for-six and threw a touchdown pass to Dejon Brissett on the opening drive of the game to give the home team a 7-0 lead. Bend and break. However, Saskatchewan's defence rebounded nicely with three straight two-and-outs before forcing a turnover on downs on the next drive. But then the group couldn't get a stop in the final minute like they did in the previous two weeks. They're still one of the best groups in the league. Article content Article content 3. Speaking of that turnover on downs, it came at the end of a 17-play, 76-yard drive. There aren't too many 17-play drives that end in zero points. There aren't many 17-play drives in general. Article content Article content 4. A.J. Ouellette is back to his all-star form. Following a 96-yard performance last week against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ouellette had 91 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Argos. He also pulled off a near identical touchdown run this week as he rumbled 25 yards into the end zone off the right side of the offensive line. He's looking like a patient runner this year and you have to wonder if the weight he dropped this off-season is also helping his game. Article content 5. It was Samuel Emilus leading the way in Week 1 and KeeSean Johnson in Week 2. On Friday night, it was Dohnte Meyers' turn as he had a team high 125 receiving yards and two touchdowns for the Riders. With Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker on the injured list, the rest of Saskatchewan's receivers are stepping up, including Meyers and veteran Mitch Picton, who had a highlight-reel 33-yard catch in the game.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alford, Roughriders stun Argonauts in dying seconds to win 39-32
Mario Alford returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in the dying seconds as the Saskatchewan Roughriders stunned the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night. After the Argonauts tied the Week 3 CFL contest 32-32 with 23 seconds left on Friday night at BMO Field, Alford brought back the ensuing kickoff to secure Saskatchewan's second straight 3-0 start to a season. The defending Grey Cup champion Argonauts fall to 0-3 for the first time since 2019. While the Argos scored the opening points of the game on their first drive as quarterback Nick Arbuckle engineered a nine-play, 80-yard drive capped off by a five-yard touchdown pass to Dejon Brissett, it was the Roughriders who led the way for the majority of the game. On Saskatchewan's first series, quarterback Trevor Harris and company put together a six-play, 75-yard drive highlighted by a 25-yard touchdown run by running back A.J. Ouellette, who had a similar 47-yard touchdown run last week against Hamilton. With the convert, the game was tied 7-7 midway through the first quarter. After a two-and-out by Saskatchewan's defence and a 35-yard punt return by Alford, Saskatchewan's offence went back to work as Harris connected with Dohnte Meyers for a 13-yard gain before the duo connected on a 32-yard touchdown pass on the very next play to put Saskatchewan on top 14-7. Following another two-and-out by the Roughriders' defence, Harris and company went back to work as Mitch Picton made a highlight-reel 33-yard catch which led to a 16-yard field goal by Brett Lauther to make it 17-7 Riders. Near the end of the first half, the Argonauts got down to Saskatchewan's one-yard line on a 17-play, 76-yard drive which lasted more than seven minutes, but they couldn't come away with any points as Saskatchewan's defence forced a turnover on downs after a goal-line stand. The Argos got the ball back before the half was up, and after Riders defensive back Marcus Sayles couldn't come down with an interception, Argos' kicker Lirim Hajrullahu nailed a 56-yard field goal to make it 17-10 at the break. On the opening drive of the second half, the Riders added to their lead as Harris hit Meyers on a slant pass before the second-year slotback broke free and rumbled 70 yards to the end zone for his second touchdown of the game to make it 24-10. The Argos added a field goal on their next drive to cut the lead to 24-13. Following a punt by the Riders, the Argos were looking to put another scoring drive together but Arbuckle was intercepted by defensive back Tevaughn Campbell, who registered his first pick in the CFL since 2018 after spending six years in the NFL. However, the Riders gave it right back as Harris was intercepted by Tyshon Blackburn on the very next play at Saskatchewan's 15-yard line. Following a major penalty, the Argos got the ball on Saskatchewan's one-yard line and Toronto's short-yardage quarterback Jarret Doege punched it into the end zone to make it 24-21 after a successful two-point convert. In the fourth quarter, the Roughriders padded their lead with a touchdown as Harris and company put together a 10-play, 42-yard drive before short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens plunged into the end zone to make it 31-21 with the convert. Toronto added a 25-yard field goal to make it 31-24 before the Riders added a single point after Lauther missed a 33-yard field goal through the back of the end zone with 2:02 to go. Needing eight points to tie, the Argos went to work as Arbuckle put together an eight-play, 70-yard drive capped off with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Mital with 23 seconds left before finding Brisset on the two-point convert to tie the game 32-32. And then came the fireworks on the ensuing kickoff as Alford returned the kick 99 yards for a touchdown to put the Riders on top 39-32 with nine seconds left. From there, the Argos couldn't return Lauther's kickoff as Saskatchewan came away with the victory. Harris finished the night 13 of 17 for 234 yards with two touchdowns and interception while Ouellette had 91 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Meyers was Saskatchewan's top receiver with four catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, linebacker Jameer Thurman had a team-high seven tackles while A.J. Allen, Micah Johnson and Mike Rose registered sacks while Habakkuk Baldonado had a forced fumble. For Toronto, Arbuckle finished 26 of 33 for 259 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Miyan Williams had a team-high 36 rushing yards while Mital led all receivers with 98 yards and a touchdown through the air. After two straight road games, the Roughriders will return home in Week 4 of the season as the Green and White will host the B.C. Lions on June 28 at 5 p.m. tshire@ Up Close: Meet Roughriders receiver KeeSean Johnson WR Emilus, RB Carey out as Roughriders get set to visit Argonauts 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.
National Post
7 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Alford, Roughriders stun Argonauts in dying seconds to win 39-32
Mario Alford returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in the dying seconds as the Saskatchewan Roughriders stunned the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night. Article content After the Argonauts tied the Week 3 CFL contest 32-32 with 23 seconds left on Friday night at BMO Field, Alford brought back the ensuing kickoff to secure Saskatchewan's second straight 3-0 start to a season. Article content Article content Article content 'Coach told me before we went out there, 'Let's get it to the 40-, 45-(yard line),' ' Alford told TSN's Brit Dort after the game. 'Then I saw the hole and I did what I do best. Article content 'I try to put my team in the best position possible to win. We were able to execute; shoutout to the blockers.' Article content While the defending Grey Cup champion Argonauts —who fell to 0-3 for the first time since 2019 — scored the opening points of the game on their first drive as quarterback Nick Arbuckle engineered a nine-play, 80-yard drive capped off by a five-yard touchdown pass to Dejon Brissett, it was the Roughriders who led the way for the majority of the game. Article content On Saskatchewan's first series, quarterback Trevor Harris and company put together a six-play, 75-yard drive highlighted by a 25-yard touchdown run by running back A.J. Ouellette, who had a similar 47-yard touchdown run last week against Hamilton. Article content With the convert, the game was tied 7-7 midway through the first quarter. Article content After a two-and-out by Saskatchewan's defence and a 35-yard punt return by Alford, Saskatchewan's offence went back to work as Harris connected with Dohnte Meyers for a 13-yard gain before the duo connected on a 32-yard touchdown pass on the very next play to put Saskatchewan on top 14-7. Article content Following another two-and-out by the Roughriders' defence, Harris and company went back to work as Mitch Picton made a highlight-reel 33-yard catch which led to a 16-yard field goal by Brett Lauther to make it 17-7 Riders. Article content Article content Near the end of the first half, the Argonauts got down to Saskatchewan's one-yard line on a 17-play, 76-yard drive which lasted more than seven minutes, but they couldn't come away with any points as Saskatchewan's defence forced a turnover on downs after a goal-line stand. Article content The Argos got the ball back before the half was up, and after Riders defensive back Marcus Sayles couldn't come down with an interception, Argos' kicker Lirim Hajrullahu nailed a 56-yard field goal to make it 17-10 at the break. Article content On the opening drive of the second half, the Riders added to their lead as Harris hit Meyers on a slant pass before the second-year slotback broke free and rumbled 70 yards to the end zone for his second touchdown of the game to make it 24-10.
