The Saskatchewan Roughriders just keep finding ways to win.

For the seventh straight game the club was victorious, completing a three game season sweep of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Riders downed the Bombers by a score of 30–24 in the annual Banjo Bowl in Winnipeg.

The win was overshadowed by the fact that starting quarterback Darian Durant tore a tendon in his elbow during the game after taking a hit from Bombers defensive lineman Bryant Turner Jr. It was announced on Sept. 9 that Durant would miss the remainder of the season with the injury.

That means it’s backup quarterback Tino Sunseri’s team from here on out. Sunseri completed eight of nine passes for 77 yards in relief of Durant. Yet again though, the Roughriders rushing attack paced them offensively and led them to victory.

Running back Anthony Allen won the Canadian Football League offensive player of the week after he ran for a total of 114 yards and scored a touchdown. Other backs Jerome Messam and Will Ford ran for 32 and 29 yards, respectively.

After the Riders’ special teams were called into question after giving up a return touchdown three weeks in a row, they came out and played their best game of the season.

They blocked a Lirim Hajrullahu field goal attempt and Rod Williams returned it 60 yards for a touchdown to give the Riders an 8–7 lead early in the second quarter.

Later in the frame, Allen scored his touchdown to stretch the lead to 20–8 for the Riders. Then, just a minute later, fan favourite Weston Dressler returned a punt 74 yards for a major to blow the game open and gave the green and white a 27–8 halftime lead.

The second half saw the Bombers mount a comeback, only before Drew Willy threw the game away with a costly interception late in the fourth quarter.

Before that, Willy threw touchdown passes of 14 and 29 yards to bring the Bombers within six points of the Riders. That was as close as they would come however, as the Riders defence shut the door from there on.

John Chick recorded his 13th sack of the season in the game and Terrell Maze, Tearrius George and Trevor Guyton also tallied quarterback takedowns. Tristan Jackson and the aforementioned Williams both intercepted the former Roughrider backup Willy.

The Roughrider defence was very uncharacteristic as they allowed 404 total yards, compared to their season average of 310 yards per game. They used the old “bend but don’t break” philosophy — allowing Winnipeg to move the ball down field but not allowing them to rack up points.

Finding themselves in sole possession of second place in the West division, the win runs the Riders record to 8–2. They are chasing the Calgary Stampeders for first place who sit with an impressive 9–1 record on the season. The Roughriders will play the Stamps twice down the stretch, but they will be tough games with Durant not able to play in them.

The loss of Durant really puts a damper on an otherwise remarkable season for the team so far. As an unquestionable leader on the field and in the locker room, Durant’s leadership qualities will be dearly missed.

Such is sports — injuries happen and the best teams find ways to battle through adversity. It’s now on the other 52 guys on the roster to step up and help the squad continue to win. Veterans such as Ricky Foley, Tyron Brackenridge, Brendon LaBatte and Taj Smith will all have to rise to the occasion and make up for the loss of Durant.

Next on the schedule is the 2–7 Hamilton Tiger-Cats, which is almost a must win game for the Riders to keep pace in the tight West division playoff race. The game goes Sept.14 at 11:00 a.m. on TSN.

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Graphic: Stephanie Mah/Graphics Editor