Only the Roughriders’ record is perfect

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The Saskatchewan Roughriders aren’t perfect, except where it really matters.

In the standings. That’s where the Roughriders are undefeated, a perfect 4-0 following an imperfect 30-23 victory Thursday over the Toronto Argonauts before an announced crowd of 23,932, a record-low for Mosaic Stadium.

The Roughriders earned the victory and there were highlights, led by their defence forcing five turnovers and the offence committing none. But if there’s a single player or coach in the organization completely satisfied with the team’s overall performance, then they will never win a championship.

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The best teams never stop improving, never stop striving for perfection.

First and foremost the Roughriders need better starts to their games. Only once this season have they taken a commanding lead and held onto it.

Saskatchewan quarterback Shea Patterson, making his first CFL start in the absence of injured veteran Trevor Harris, completed only one pass in the opening quarter while his team fell behind by surrendering Janarion Grant’s 84-yard touchdown on a punt return.

Penalties need to be avoided.

With a 10-9 lead the Roughriders got to Toronto’s 43-yard line with three seconds remaining in the first half, but they lost two yards and were penalized five more yards because receiver Jerreth Sterns was offside. On his now-lengthened, 57-yard field goal attempt, Brett Lauther hit the crossbar, costing them valuable points. Lauther kicked three other field goals and three converts, basically providing the margin of victory.

Saskatchewan’s defensive line needs to be rotated.

Veteran tackles Micah Johnson and Anthony Lanier II are playing well, particularly at stopping the run with assistance from middle linebacker Jameer Thurman. Of course they don’t want to leave the field, but subbing them occasionally would keep them from getting gassed by the fourth quarter.

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Head coach Corey Mace has usually made rational, strategic decisions during games. But if he was truly thinking about trying for a touchdown in the final minutes of Thursday’s game, with his team ahead 27-20 while facing third-and-goal, he should take his own advice:

“C’mon, Mace, don’t be a goof!”

That’s what Mace said to himself before he logically called a timeout, shared a chuckle as Harris walked by on the sideline and logically sent out the field-goal team for a 30-20, two-score lead.

These are tiny flaws, easily overcome by a team with talent, desire and a heart-felt bond among the players and coaches.

Helped by the play-calling of Riders offensive coordinator Marc Mueller, Patterson eventually established a rhythm and neutralized Toronto’s blitzes, capped by a touchdown toss to Samuel Emilus while the Argonauts were pass-rushing with seven defenders.

“That was a testament to how we handled adversity today,” Patterson said during postgame interviews.

Patterson also ran nine yards for a major after getting flushed from the pocket. And he found Mitch Picton twice in late-game, second-down situations to keep the ball away from the Argonauts.

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Patterson wasn’t exceptional, but he didn’t give away the football or the game, plus he ran for a touchdown as Saskatchewan’s defence discombobulated Argos rookie quarterback Cameron Dukes. Rolan Milligan Jr. intercepted Dukes twice and defensive back Marcus Sayles had a Pick 6, just three games after it looked like he was a needless addition. Like Sayles, the entire defence has been balling.

“Nobody’s trying to do too much,” Milligan said in a media scrum. “Nobody’s trying to be an over-achiever.”

It’s tough to be critical of a turnover-crazy defence that has played a gigantic role in very victory. It is also difficult to be nitpicky with an undefeated team, especially from outside the locker room as the West-leading Roughriders prepare for their sternest test so far, a road game July 13 against the second-place B.C. Lions.

But inside the locker room there will be discussions about everything that has gone right and — just as important — things that need to be fixed. It’s been 11 years since a different version of the Roughriders started with four straight victories. They weren’t perfect either in 2013, until the very end of their Grey Cup-winning season.

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