The Rumble in Regina...Lions 19-Roughriders 15

Saturday, August 27, 2005 10:32 PM

-by John Goodwin

A full quiver of sharply pointed observations:

It’s been said that winners find a way to win but this was ridiculous.

It was bound to happen sooner or later, and the Lions take to Taylor Field tonight with their “D” game for their first win in Regina since 2001.

When ya come out with a mind-set the likes of what the Lions showed up with tonight, whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed. It can best be described as a big meltdown and had it not been for the football Gods who’s intentions aren’t always clear, and a very inept Roughrider team, this one would have been a well earned loss.

The devil’s in the details:

Casey Printers starts this one and quickly found himself facing a charged up Riders team on both sides of the ball. In fact his offense could only manage 2 first downs in the first 15 minutes of football.

In the first 3 Quarters the only points the Lions put up were at the benevolence of their opposition as the “Roughies” gave up a safety at the 7:23 mark of the first and another at the 3:00 min mark of the third. An O Mahony single at 8:57 of the second quarter rounded out the BC scoring for 3 quarters of football. No mis-print, that was three quarters!

The Riders were only marginally more effective with two Paul McCallum FG’s and a safety conceded by O Mahony representing their only scores over 33 min of football....8-5 Sask. and now I’ve missed the big sale on Oscar Myer wieners at Save on Foods.

At the end of the 1st quarter the Lions had a total of 50 yds of offense to Regina’s’s 31...2 first downs for the Lions and just 3 for Regina. The futility continued into the second quarter as the teams finish the half with total of 116yds. BC and 112 for Sask....and the battle of mediocrity was in full swing.

Printers appeared to injure his left shoulder in the 3rd quarter and was replaced by 3rd stringer Buck Pierce. This was a blessing in disguise as it’s my opinion that even though it was looking like Casey was not going to get it done this night, Wally Buono wouldn’t have pulled him in favor of his now backup, to get his team re-energized.

I hold the unpopular view that Casey Printers was running amuck last season until opposing teams realized that to contain him, they had simply to shut down his ability to scramble, he gets happy feet and they neutralize much off his offensive effectiveness. The Riders also know of this Achilles heel and had outside pressure on him all night as they ran up 5 sacks a whole lot of rushed plays and at least 2 interceptions. Printers didn’t know whether to fish or cut bait at this point.

The Lions D finally succumb to the Roughrider offense early in the 3rd quarter as Nelon Green takes his team 107 yards from the shadow of his own goal line to a major as he keeps the ball on a 10 yard run. 15-5 Roughriders and it don’t look good for the good guys.

BC QB Buck Pierce was not about to let this opportunity to show his value to his coaching staff slip through his fingers, as he struck for 6 with a 10 yd. run himself at 11:37 of the final frame. He was again successful by ending a drive (that began on his own 15 yd. line) with a handoff to Antonio Warren with just 32 seconds remaining to salt away the win.

Pierce was particularly effective in the way he succeeded against the Rider pressure on almost every play, finding his way for precious ground, through as well as out and around the Rider attempts at containment.

Game Notes:

Duncan O Mahony’s punting tonight was a thing of beauty including a 75 yarder. It was his punting that was the biggest reason for his team winning the battle for field position in the first half as the offense stumbled along.

On the downside of the kicking game O Mahony and his holder Jason Crumb continue to struggle with miscues. They gave up the ball on a botched 46 yd. FG attempt at a crucial time midway through the 4th as Crumb fumbled the ball.

Penalties Thought the BC team discipline sucked throughout. Don’t know what the penalty tally was however the Lions mental game was left lacking as they continued to shoot themselves in the foot.

BC tackling, a part of their game that’s been outstanding ‘til tonight, lacked second effort...hell it lacked effort in this one.

Not sure the Leos were prepared for the shovel pass that the Riders executed with great effectiveness.
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