In an instant classic rematch against the Calgary Stampeders, the Saskatchewan Roughriders faced a nail-biting 33-31 defeat. Despite the loss, the game was exciting right until the final play. Mason Fine, stepping in for the injured Trevor Harris, took the reins as the starting quarterback and displayed promising signs, keeping the fans intrigued about his potential.
The game began with a special teams showcase, as Mario Alford returned a punt for a dazzling 67-yard touchdown. The Stampeders responded with Rene Paredes’ 28-yard field goal, making it a close 7-3 game at the end of the first quarter.
Mason Fine demonstrated his ability to lead the offence, orchestrating a 92-yard touchdown drive, capped off by a seven-yard touchdown connection to Tommylee Lewis. The Stampeders went into halftime with a 20-10 lead after another touchdown pass from Maier to Hakunavanhu.
The second half saw more thrilling moments, with Alford returning another punt for a 92-yard touchdown, fulfilling his halftime prediction. However, Trevor Harris suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Mason Fine, who showcased his skills with several impressive throws and rushing first down.
The Riders fought back with a spectacular Hail Mary completion from Fine to Tevin Jones, resulting in a 69-yard touchdown that tied the game at 31-30. However, the Stampeders managed to set up a game-winning 50-yard field goal by veteran kicker Rene Paredes, sealing their narrow victory.
While the loss was disheartening, fans are intrigued by Mason Fine’s potential and scrappiness as the starting quarterback. With the offensive line and starting receivers facing challenges, Fine’s performance provides optimism for the team’s future games.
FANS WEIGH IN
After the intense game against the Stamps, Rider fans shared their sentiments on the team’s performance. The word cloud of fan reactions revealed a mix of emotions, with words like “agonizing,” “exciting,” “nail-biter,” and “tough” dominating the conversation, reflecting the intense nature of the game. Fans are eager to see how Mason Fine will continue to grow and adapt in his role as the starting quarterback and remain largely hopeful.
Despite facing challenges early on in the season, the Roughriders have leveraged their strengths and effectively addressed areas for improvement from the previous year. Let’s examine the fan sentiments and the aspects they highlighted as strengths and areas for improvement:
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https://letsgoriders.com/events/week-6/
