The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ 28-13 win over the Ottawa RedBlacks ended in a shambles on Friday.
Roughrider defensive lineman Garrett Marino was ruled out of the game in the fourth quarter after a dive into the legs of RedBlacks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli as he threw a pass, leaving Masoli moaning in pain on the turf.
Marino flexed his muscles and gestured to the Mosaic Stadium crowd in celebration as he left the field after a hit. Several enraged Redblack players went to the shores of Saskatchewan to face him.
Merino continued to stir up the situation after his ejection as he raised his helmet to the crowd and patted his chest as he headed to the locker room.
Saskatchewan head coach Craig Dickenson acknowledged that Marino’s actions influenced the victory.
“After the game I talked to people for about three minutes, told them the schedule, didn’t hand sports balls, didn’t do anything I normally do because we played a great football game and I’ve been here three minutes and that’s what we’re talking about and I’ll continue to talk about this for maybe 10 more minutes,” Dickenson said.
“It didn’t need to happen, so yes, I’m disappointed in the team. Do I still love them? Yes, I love each and every one of them. They’re still part of this team and we’re going to move on.” But it was a chance to win with class. That’s how I don’t want us to see matches.”
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Saskatchewan receiver Duke Williams felt torn between loyalty to his teammate and sympathy for Masoli.
“We’re better than him. . . I’m not saying it’s a good game, because Masoli is hurt and that’s unacceptable,” Williams said.
“We do not condemn it, he has to go back home to his family. But at the end of the day, he’s my teammate and I’ve got his back no matter what.
“I’m telling him right or wrong because it’s my job.”
Ottawa offensive lineman Dino Boyd ignited tensions between the two clubs when he sidelined Saskatchewan defensive lineman Pete Robertson with a suspicious hit in the third quarter.
Boyd was punished for roughing up the play. Robertson, who leads the CFL with seven sacks, did not return to the game.
Dickenson did not have a confirmed diagnosis on Robertson’s injury, but there were signs that his leg may be broken.
RedBlacks didn’t provide an update on Masoli. The quarterback left the stadium on crutches.
Saskatchewan (4-1) played their most perfect game so far this season. The Riders scored 19 second-quarter points to take control of the game and deprived the Redblacks of victory in their four matches this season.
Ottawa lost their first three games of the season by a combined margin of 12 points, but were struggling to keep pace with the Roughriders.
Saskatchewan held a 22-6 lead at halfway but Ottawa opened the third quarter with a touchdown and narrowed the gap to 22-13.
The Roughriders fought off a Major, which quarterback Cody Fajardo felt was the difference in the game.
“You never want to lose momentum and something like this can happen, especially when we thought we had all the momentum from the second quarter,” Fajardo said.
“You go to halftime and you lose that right? It’s almost like the game has started. So they go down. They score and we thought as an offense we had to go down and score.” I was really proud of the way we performed and reacted.”
Fajardo threw touchdown passes to Williams and Kian Schaefer-Baker, while running back rookie Frankie Hixon scored his first CFL touchdown on a 63-yard run.
Hixon, who rushed for 92 yards on five carries, entered the game with 124 yards on 21 carries. His longest run before Friday’s 63-yarder was a 19-yard advantage.
Saskatchewan’s passing attack was boosted by running back Jamal Morrow, who caught six balls for 67 yards. He also ran for 78 yards on 16 carries.
Kicker Brett Lowther added field goals of 50, 28 and 18 yards for Saskatchewan.
AC Leonard and Keon Adams sacked Masoli, Nick Marshall and Larry Dean intercepted.
Nate Behar made Ottawa’s lone touchdown with a 22-yard pass from Masoli. Kicker Lewis Ward scored field goals from 42 and 21 yards.
Praise Martin-Oguike, Lorenzo Mouldin, Trey Hornbuckle and Devon Coleman registered the sacks for Ottawa.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 8, 2022.
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