Riders Game Notes
Published on June 25, 2003 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Saskatchewan Roughriders News Release
ROUGHRIDER SHORT YARDAGE: The Roughriders bring a 1-0 record into their home opener against the B.C. Lions. This is the third straight season that the Riders have won their season opener thanks to a 20-18 thriller against the Toronto Argonauts. Last season the Riders and Lions split their two regular season games. Saskatchewan tamed the Lions at Taylor Field with a hard-fought 13-11 victory. B.C. closed out the regular season at B.C. Place with a 28-3 victory over visiting Saskatchewan...since 1954 the Riders and Lions have met 149 times, with the Riders holding a slight edge at 76 wins â 69 losses â 4 ties.
Saskatchewan is very happy to host the broadcast crew from CBC. Chris Cuthbert and Chris Walby will be in the booth, while Brenda Irving will patrol the sidelines during the game. Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri will once again be back in the Rider radio booth. J.P. McConnell and Giulio Caravatta will have the call on behalf of the B.C. Lions.
OPENING DAY NOTES: Receiver Corey Grant spoiled Toronto's home opener last week with two late touchdowns. Grant took a Nealon Greene pass 53 yards into the end zone with only three seconds remaining to give the Riders a 20-18 win over Toronto. Nealon Greene led the rider passing attack, completing 22 of 39 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, Jackie Mitchell kept the Argos offence at bay, picking up three tackles, a quarterback sacks, and an amazing interception. Shonte Peoples was also a force to be reckoned with, recording four defensive tackles and a quarterback sack.
COACHING STAFF: Danny Barrett begins his fourth season as the Roughriders bench boss. His coaching staff stays the same from last season...Marcel Bellefeuille in his third season has been promoted to offensive coordinator...Richie Hall will once again act as Assistant Head Coach and defensive coordinator...it is Richie's tenth season with the Green and White...Alex Smith will look after the linebackers and special teams...Smith is also a key member of the club's Canadian College Draft evaluation team...Ron Estay, the "ole swamp dog" will look after the defensive line for the third straight season...Tim Kearse will handle the receiving corps for his third season...Harold Smith returns for his fourth season as the club's quarterback and running back coach...and with his vast experience and progressive coaching style Danny Barrett will once again oversee the offence.
THE SEASON IN REVIEW (2002) The Riders started the season on a winning note with an opening day victory against the newly formed Ottawa Renegades 30-27 in overtime. Saskatchewan also won their home opener in WEEK 2 with a 32 â21 win over the Calgary Stampeders. The Riders suffered their first loss in WEEK three losing in Montreal 26-20. WEEK four had the Green and White back in the win column with a huge 45-11 victory over the visiting Edmonton Eskimos. WEEK five had the Riders in Calgary where they lost to the Stampeders 26-21. They also dropped WEEK six in Hamilton 34-31 in overtime. The Riders were back at home in WEEK seven where they avenged their earlier loss to Hamilton with a 30-14 win over the visiting Tiger-Cats. WEEK eight had the Riders in SkyDome where they dropped an 18-10 decision to the Toronto Argonauts. WEEK nine saw the Riders first loss at home when they fell to the Montreal Alouettes 23-9. WEEK ten saw over 30,000 fans pack Taylor Field for the Labour Day Classic. Rookie quarterback Rocky Butler stunned the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers and led the Riders to a 33-19 win. WEEK eleven had the Riders home for the third game in a row and they made the best of this opportunity by beating the visiting Argonauts 40-11. The Riders headed back on the road in WEEK twelve, where they lost to the Edmonton Eskimos 31-25. In WEEK thirteen, the Ottawa Renegades made their first ever trip to Saskatchewan. The Riders greeted the Renegades with a 29-11 victory. WEEK fourteen had the Blue Bombers paying another visit. Winnipeg had revenge on their mind after dropping the Labour Day game and beat Saskatchewan in overtime 35-32. WEEK fifteen had the Riders heading to Winnipeg for the back end of a home and home series. The Bombers took their second straight win with a 20-11 victory. WEEK sixteen welcomed the B.C. Lions to Taylor Field. Saskatchewan edged the Lions 13-11 and clinched the playoffs for the first time in five years. WEEK seventeen had the Riders losing in Edmonton 27-21 and Saskatchewan also lost in WEEK eighteen 28-3 in B.C.. The Riders first playoff game in five years saw Saskatchewan travel to Toronto for the Eastern Division Semi-Final. The Riders ended their season with a 24-12 loss to the Toronto Argonauts.
Canadian Football League Stories from June 25, 2003
- Edmonton Eskimos Game Notes - Edmonton Elks
- Big Pep Rally for the Renegades at The Cabin on Thursday - Ottawa Renegades
- The Als' Week to Come - Montreal Alouettes
- Calvillo and Greene Named CFL Players of the Week - Montreal Alouettes
- Riders Game Notes - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Canada Day Bash Highlights Weekend - CFL
- Argonauts Make Roster Moves - Toronto Argonauts
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