HUGE win for Roughriders!

I have to wonder whether the Roughrider defense even showed up to play Winnipeg during the Banjo Bowl after watching them crush Dave Dickinson and contain Geroy Simons last night. The Roughrider D was on fire, and that's a good thing cause Kerry and Kenton sure had some troubles.

But first I must give Andy Fantuz (pictured above) the props he deserves. Andy Fantuz is #83 boys, and remember that because next year he'll be wearing Green again with a huge contract in his back pocket.

After jumping ontop of Kerry Josephs horrible fumble in the endzone to put Saskatchewan up 17-10 late in the fourth, Fantuz didn't think - he just reacted.

Joseph and the Riders and their fans knew what was needed to win the game. A huge completion on second and 10 to new receiver Yo Murphy for a pick up of 23 yards moved Saskatchewan down to the 12-yard line, where the heroics of Fantuz soon ignited the stadium and gave way to the nickname The Great Fantuz – at least for the time being.

“He’s The Great Fantuz, you gotta love the guy,” said defensive lineman Scott Schultz. “We all believe in each other and everybody’s talented and it was just his day to step up and shine.”

What's better than that folks? A 23-20 final for the Green and White when just moments before Yo Murphy's catch and Fantuz' touchdown, former Roughrider kicker Paul McCallum could have ended the game by punting the ball through the endzone. McCallum, who outstayed his welcome in Regina after missing a 19 yard field goal to put Saskatchewan in the Grey Cup back in 2004 against the BC Lions, couldn't deliver what his team needed of him. That's classic McCallum.

But that isn't to say that the Roughriders had a flawless game. Example: Kenton Keith. After a 30 yard run the ball was "stripped" from his arm (not arms) and recovered by a Lion. Kenton Keith really needs to hold onto the ball like it means something to him. Not like a loaf of bread. Shortly after that, Yo Murphy coughs it up! Then Kerry Joseph throws and interception and he ends the regulation play on a QB fumble/touchdown recovery (thanks to Fantuz).

Two weeks ago the Roughriders lost to Winnipeg because they couldn't tackle. Now this week they damn near lost because they can't hang onto the ball! They're tackling was better but they turned over the ball 3 times - 4 if you count the SK recovery.

Next week against Edmonton the Roughriders need to keep the D up against Ricky Ray. If we can shake Ray, then we'll win the game. Contain Troy Davis and I'm positive we can win the game. I mean, the Esks lost to HAMILTON of all teams! The Eskimo D is no shining example of what a team wants and we have to exploit that.

Yo Murphy looked fantastic, so did Fantuz and, of course, Dominguez. With Murphy replacing the hapless Jason French, I'm sure this Rider offense can march into the playoffs. Hopefully Calgary will start winning so we can play BC early on. We've got a good record against those guys and a big playoff win against BC will shake up the Henry Burris and his Calgary Stampeders for the Western final.

But of course, no one says it better than the King of Swagger himself,

“We have to be ready to play against them [Edmonton] and we need to be physical just like we were today,” said head coach Danny Barrett. “They're going to come here hungry for a win thinking they’ve beat us once already but we’re hungry too and we want to stay on a roll and we’re confident because everyone believes in what we’re doing.”