Yesterday's win over Hamilton has raised at least a few questions as to where that 'Riders team has been all year. But I'm not sure there's much difference between what we saw yesterday and what the 'Riders have managed at many points throughout the season - other than the right combination of offensive and defensive performances for a given day.
To start with, the 'Riders have generally played far better on the rare occasions when they've managed an early lead than in the many games where they've had to come from behind. And a strong wind at the 'Riders' back in the first quarter, along with some effective ball-control offence which fell short of putting any touchdowns on the board, gave the 'Riders a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
From there, the game story was a matter of sheer opportunism and ball control. I'm not sure what the Ticats were thinking in calling for a fake punt in the second quarter (and one which seemed to rely on a throw by Justin Medlock in conditions where even the quarterbacks were having trouble finding the mark), but the 'Riders took advantage of that short field to find the end zone.
Meanwhile, throughout the game the Ticats served up exactly the type of running game the 'Riders are best suited to stop, as neither Avon Cobourne nor Marcus Thigpen had the size to overpower the 'Riders' small linebackers. And in the second half, the 'Riders' defence answered strong ball movement by Kevin Glenn with a series of interceptions that kept the Ticats from getting back in the game.
As for the 'Riders' offence, it was no better than it has been through much of the season. Both Ryan Dinwiddie and Cole Bergquist (in minimal playing time) were mostly off the mark with their passes, and a running game centred on Brandon West and Dinwiddie was effective but not overwhelming. But on a windy day with the defence playing well, the offence didn't need to do much more than avoid any major mistakes - and it was up to that task at least.
On this particular day, that combination was enough for the 'Riders to get back into the win column. But in the last game of the season, we'll have to hope to see a few more players show what they can do for next year, rather than mostly matching what we've already seen in 2011.
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