The Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping to recapture the early-season success it had when marching inside opponent’s 20-yard-lines and turn the opportunities into six points. It comes after back-to-back games of struggles inside the red zone which saw the Green and White score just two touchdowns on six attempts – and two loses. “We did lots of good; we just had [missed] opportunities when drive stalled in the green zone,” offensive coordinator Marc Mueller told CTV News Monday. “We pride ourselves on putting together drives and controlling the ball; I thought there was lots of good there. We improved, but not good enough to get the victory.” After not scoring at all against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Banjo Bowl in Week 15, Saskatchewan came out of a bye week to finally find the endzone once again. The offence believes it began to find its rhythm; controlling the time of possession battle against the Lions, marching down the field and sustaining drives. Saskatchewan produced 383 yards of total offence, averaging more than six yards per play. However, not converting drives into paydirt on their limited trips in enemy territory proved to be the difference. “One of them is a turnover on downs inside the red zone, and the other three opportunities we had down there, we didn’t convert to touchdowns. It’s the difference in the game,” quarterback Trevor Harris noted. Receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker, who played his first game in seven weeks last Friday, agreed. “That’s just the flow of the game sometimes,” Schaffer-Baker said. “It’s like a roller coaster is going to be up and down and you just got to stay even-keeled throughout it all.” “That’s always been one of our biggest points of emphasis: is to finish in the red zone; finish drives, finish plays, finish everything. We just weren’t as successful finishing in the red zone,” he added. Over their last four games, the Riders have nine touchdowns on 15 trips to the red zone – or 60 per cent – including going four for four on Labour Day. However, in the first 10 games of the season, Saskatchewan was 28/39 in those situations, converting for touchdowns on 72 per cent of their drives inside the 20. “When we’re down there, we’ve got to make it count,” Mueller said. “The just inopportune things; whether I put them in bad situations with the poor play call or you get a tip or something like that. It was just some things that got us off the field at inopportune times.” “Usually in the games you win, you’re efficient in the green zone and you protect the football,” he added. Saskatchewan does lead the CFL in plays inside the red zone (128) and are tied for third most in touchdowns (37) from inside the opponent’s 20-yard-line. At a 70 per cent conversion rate through 14 games, the Riders have fallen to fourth best in red zone efficiency, behind B.C., Calgary and Montreal. This week, Saskatchewan hosts the Stamps, who are atop the league in points for (535). Calgary scores touchdowns on 74 per cent of their drives to the red zone. Despite the slip in conversion rate, Harris does not believe the scheme is broken. “I don’t think we have, like a red zone issue at this point,” he added. “We get down there quite a bit; we’ve got to make sure we capitalize on the opportunities we get. In a game where possessions are a premium, we’ve got to capitalize for sure.” “You’ve got to give credit where credit is due,” head coach Corey Mace said. “But, there’s certain things we can do better for ourselves as well. So it’s just about us being able to execute.” Saskatchewan can clinch a playoff position with a win over Calgary on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
