(980 CJME file photo)

By CKOM News - Britton Gray

Riders win

Riders win first pre-season game since 2014, defeat B.C. Lions

May 28, 2023 | 9:09 AM

A solid bounceback by Mason Fine in the fourth quarter helped the Saskatchewan Roughriders win their first pre-season CFL game since 2014.

Fine, who was the third pivot to see action in the pre-season contest, threw a pick-six to former University of Regina Rams linebacker Ryder Varga on his first pass of the game.

“You go out there and about the worst possible thing that could’ve happened happened and it’s like I was down bad there for a minute,” Fine said after Saturday’s game at Mosaic Stadium. “I had great teammates and coaches come over there and pick me up and reset and get that mentality back.”

The 26-year-old Fine bounced back to lead two touchdown drives, both ending in catches by Mitch Picton, to lead Saskatchewan to a 30-27 victory over the B.C. Lions.

Fine finished the game completing eight of 10 pass attempts for 110 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception.

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“I’m just going to go out there and play football and I’m just going to sling it and whatever happens happens,” Fine said. “There was a lot of ups and downs but it was great to finish like that.”

The last time the Riders had won a pre-season game was a 21-17 win over the Ottawa Redblacks.

But while it was a win for the Green and White, head coach Craig Dickenson isn’t putting much stock into it.

“Anytime you can win a game, especially when you’re trailing and win a game and come back, it’s good for the locker room and good for the guys to know they can come back and win,” Dickenson said. “We know that wasn’t B.C.’s best guys … There’s going to need to be a lot of improvement.”

One of the biggest gripes Dickenson had was penalites for his team. The Roughriders committed eight infractions for 77 yards.

“Too many again. We’re going to work hard at it and the accountability starts right after the game,” Dickenson said. “I had a visit with them. I feel like penalties are a result of either you’re not winning your matchup or you’re being selfish and not putting the needs of the team ahead of yourself.

“Our goal is to be the least-penalized and most-physical team in the league. We’re a long ways from there but we are going to keep harping on it. If a guy is going to continue to take penalties, that’s going to affect his ability to stay on the team.”

Going into the pre-season game, the spot for the backup quarterback position appeared to be an open competition. Each of the trio vying for the spot was given reps in the game as starter Trevor Harris missed the game for the birth of his third child.

“I thought all three quarterbacks played pretty well,” Dickenson said.

Jake Dolegala, who started the game and played the majority of the first half, finished the game going 12 of 17 for 92 yards. He had three rushes for 23 yards and a touchdown.

“I feel like I played within myself. (There were) a couple of mistakes here and there but I feel like I made up for it with my legs,” Dolegala said.

Shea Patterson came into the game for the final drive of the first half. He was given control of the offence for the third quarter, throwing the first passing touchdown of the game for the Riders to Keith Corbin III.

Corbin was one of the favourite targets for quarterbacks in the contest, catching six passes for 60 yards and a touchdown.

Patterson went 10 of 14 for 77 yards and the passing touchdown. He also connected with running back Javian Hawkins for the two-point convert.

“I felt like as I got that second half going and got the party started with Keith on that touchdown and let Mason go in there and do his thing, I’m really proud of him,” Patterson said. “It’s great to stay consistent through camp but when those lights come on, it’s a different story.”

And while it’s a competition, Dolegala said there’s no bad blood between any of them.

“I’m their biggest fans right now. It was great to see both of them go out there and ball,” Dolegala said.

The Riders’ offensive line, which was placed under a microscope this season after giving up 77 sacks in 2022, didn’t concede a sack in the game.

“The quarterbacks got the ball out of their hands relatively quickly. I think B.C.’s best defensive line was probably still in B.C. and I think (offensive co-ordinator Kelly) Jeffrey called a pretty good game,” Dickenson said.

The Riders’ defence got some plays from players looking to make a roster spot.

Deontai Williams had an interception and Bryan Cox Jr. had a sack to go along with a tackle for loss.

“It felt great. It has been a long time to hit the quarterback,” Cox Jr. said. “It felt great to get out there and have an opportunity.”

The Riders will head back to Saskatoon for their last week of training camp before travelling to Winnipeg for a Friday pre-season showdown against the Bombers.