CFL Command centre’s calls create havoc
Als deserved to win without all the disruptions
Let’s wait a few moments, just in case the CFL’S all-knowing, all-powerful and impervious Command Centre decides to change the outcome of Thursday’s game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes. It’s OK? You’re sure? With a Command Centre run amok by randomly and incorrectly applying rules, adding time willy-nilly to the clock, embarrassing its onfield officials and befuddling the head coaches, Montreal rode the efforts of littleknown quarterback Davis Alexander to a come-frombehind, 20-16 victory over the visiting Roughriders.
It’s apparently official. No rulings will be changed retroactively.
Well-rested after a bye week, the Alouettes improved to 6-1 while the Roughriders, evidently fatigued for a difficult road game only six days after they last played, fell to 5-2.
With air horns again overwhelming TSN’S audio feed from Percival Molson Stadium, Alexander played the second half surprisingly well and completed his first 12 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns to Reggie White Jr. Montreal overcame a 16-3 deficit by outscoring the Roughriders 17-0 in the second half.
Saskatchewan’s defence was very effective in shutting down quarterback Caleb Evans, who was replacing injured starter Cody Fajardo (pulled hamstring). So Alouettes head coach Jason Maas gave Alexander his first playing time this season, catching the usually well-prepared Roughriders unprepared for the pivot’s throwing accuracy and ability to duck a blitz by linebacker C.J. Reavis.
The Roughriders have been surrendering the most passing yards and fewest rushing yards per game, plus they had averaged almost four turnovers per game. Against Montreal they recovered one fumble and blocked a field goal, but couldn’t stop Alexander from exploiting their zone coverages. And they didn’t pick off a pass.
On offence, the Roughriders started furiously, getting a field goal on their opening possession and a first-quarter touchdown run by Frankie Hickson, who carried 14 times in the first half for 98 yards, but only four times in the second half for 19 yards.
Hickson’s fiery presence will certainly create debates whether he should remain the starting tailback ahead of A.J. Ouellette, who was being rested.
Wait a second! We’ve been told we can’t say that about Ouellette. Must be a Command Centre edict.
Football will never be played perfectly. Nor will it be officiated perfectly. Trying to get everything perfect via incessant video reviews, the Command Centre wasn’t supposed to take over games. It was meant to quickly correct the most obvious mistakes, instead of making everything worse, to the point where it nearly destroyed an intriguing showdown between the CFL’S top teams.
Montreal deserved to win without all the unnecessary disruptions.