A sensational start to the season has the Saskatchewan Roughriders riding high. After three consecutive victories, the CFL’s lone undefeated team are trying to stay loose during their first of two bye weeks this season. The last time the Riders started the season 3-0 was 2013 when they last hoisted the Grey Cup.
A dazzling beginning to the season has quarterback Cody Fajardo thinking of larger goals. The Green and White as a whole have been outstanding. Tossing aside their opponents with expert speed and precision.
Nevada Wolf Pack alum Fajardo hit on 30 of his 35 passes for over 300 yards in the Riders’ win against Ottawa, while adding a rushing touchdown to boot. The Riders pivot was also the games leading rusher with 47 yards on nine carries. As one of only two quarterbacks to throw for over 9,000 yards and rush for more than 3,000 in NCAA history, the offensive onslaught from Fajardo isn’t unexpected. Fajardo is also no stranger to spreading the ball around.
“Touchdowns would be nice but as long as we’re winning football games, like I said earlier, the stats don’t matter,” said Fajardo. “I knew I had to be efficient tonight because of all the zone defence they play so having just five incompletions is pretty good.”
Per CBC
Green & White on an Historic pace
Suddenly, Saskatchewan is on a 15-2 dash through the entire league. The Riders have been completely laying waste to each and every one of their CFL foes. In fact, Saskatchewan has a 15-2 non-playoff record since defeating the B.C. Lions 38-25 in Vancouver on July 20, 2019. Which is also the Green and White’s best regular season romp since a 22-2 stretch way back in the late 1960s.
A stellar defense has been the catalyst for the Riders strong start. The Riders defense has racked up a league-leading fourteen sacks. A bullish pass-rush has the team looking like a serious Grey Cup contender through three weeks.
One of the standouts of the first three weeks of the season is linebacker Micah Teitz. Teitz has racked up sixteen defensive stops. Waiting in the wings for his opportunity at the Will linebacker spot has paid off, and the Calgary native has impressed.
Additionally, safety Mike Edem has been a steadying force in the Riders secondary each of the past few seasons. Edem provides much needed leadership on the defensive side of the ball. He excels at ensuring the men in Green and White are in position to make plays. So far, so good.
After next week’s match-up the Riders will play seven of their final ten regular season games on the road. At this point, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are firmly entrenched as a Grey Cup contender.
The Riders will get to relax on their bye week and try to extend their winning ways with a Labour Day showdown in Winnipeg. The Riders hot start has set the stage for a classic Labour Day weekend battle with the rival Blue Bombers.
