2008 Saskatchewan Roughriders season

The 2008 Saskatchewan Roughriders finished in 2nd place in the West Division with a 12–6 record for the second consecutive year. It was their 51st season in the Canadian Football League. The Roughriders attempted to repeat as Grey Cup champions, but, due to an abundance of injuries, lost to the BC Lions in the West Semi-Final game.

2008 Saskatchewan Roughriders season
General managerEric Tillman
Head coachKen Miller
Home fieldMosaic Stadium at Taylor Field
Results
Record12–6
Division place2nd, West
Playoff finishLost West Semi-Final
Team MOPWes Cates
Team MOCGene Makowsky
Team MORWeston Dressler
Uniform

Off-season

Several months after capturing the 2007 Grey Cup, 2007 CFL coach of the Year Kent Austin stepped down as head coach to become the offensive co-ordinator at Ole Miss. In accepting this position in the NCAA, Austin turned down a very lucrative contract that the Riders had offered.[1] On February 6, 2008, Eric Tillman announced that the new head coach would be Ken Miller. Miller was formerly an offensive coordinator under Austin.[2]

Last season's starting quarterback Kerry Joseph was traded to the Toronto Argonauts on March 5, 2008, along with a third round pick in the 2010 CFL Draft in exchange for offensive tackle Glenn January, defensive lineman Ronald Flemons, the Argos' first-round pick in the 2008 CFL Draft and a 2010 second-round selection.

On April 5, 2008 a report was released saying that the Roughriders set a new record for earnings in a single season. At the Roughriders' annual general meeting, Mike Back, the club's vice-president of finance and operations, reported the Roughriders registered a record profit of $1,737,377 in 2007.[3] The Roughriders exceeded the $22 million plateau in total operating revenue and expenditures. This figure eclipsed the previous mark of $15 million. Total net assets increased by $1,998,857 to $5,096,393.[3] These earnings were due in part to the championship season the Roughriders sported, which included 8 home game sellouts and their first home playoff game in 19 years.

CFL draft
Round Player Position School/Club Team
1 (via Toronto) Keith Shologan Defensive Lineman Central Florida Knights
2 (via Edmonton, via Toronto, via Edmonton) Jonathan St. Pierre Offensive Lineman Illinois State Redbirds
2 (via BC) Michael Stadnyk Defensive Lineman Montana Grizzlies
4 (via BC) Jean-François Morin-Roberge Offensive Lineman Montreal Carabins
5 Jeff Zelinski Defensive Back Saint Mary's Huskies
6 (via Hamilton) Teale Orban Quarterback Regina Rams

Pre-season
Week Date Opponent Score Result Attendance
A Fri, June 13 BC Lions 33–13 [4] Win 28,800
B Thurs, June 19 at Edmonton Eskimos 37–7 [4] Lost 33,508

Regular season

Crowd trouble

On September 20, an unsportsmanlike incident occurred during a game in Saskatchewan. It started in the fourth quarter when Saskatchewan fans became angry about a B.C. play they thought should have been a face mask penalty. Lions defensive back Dante Marsh fired the ball into the stands, and Saskatchewan fans responded by pelting the Lions with full cans of beer.[5] The incident occurred on the night when the Roughriders were honouring past CFL legend Ron Lancaster, who recently died at the age of 69. The club subsequently announced that in order to reduce the probability of a similar incident beer in the east stands (where the visitors bench is) would be sold in plastic cups for at least the remainder of the season.

Ron Lancaster

On Thursday, September 18, Ron Lancaster, 69, died from an apparent heart attack, less than two months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.[6] The former Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback, also had a long career as a head coach, with the Edmonton Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger Cats. He was diagnosed in late July and had been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.[6] Lancaster played 16 seasons with Saskatchewan, and led the team to five Grey Cup appearances. He led the club to their first CFL championship in 1966 when Saskatchewan upset the Ottawa Rough Riders 29–14.[7] When he retired in 1978, at the age of 41, he was the league's all-time leader in passing yards (50,535), touchdown passes (333), pass attempts (6,223) and completions (3,384).[8] He also suffered more interceptions than any other quarterback in CFL history.[9] He had also passed for more yards than any passer in professional football history.[9]

West
West Division
Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
Calgary Stampeders18135059542026Details
Saskatchewan Roughriders18126050047124Details
BC Lions18117055947922Details
Edmonton Eskimos18108051253620Details

East
East Division
Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
Montreal Alouettes18117061044322Details
Winnipeg Blue Bombers18810043549016Details
Toronto Argonauts1841403976278Details
Hamilton Tiger-Cats1831504415936Details

Season schedule
Week Date Opponent Score Result Attendance Record
1 Sat, June 28 vs. Edmonton Eskimos 34–13 Win 28,800 1–0
2 Fri, July 4 at BC Lions 26–16 Win 33,815 2–0
3 Sat, July 12 at Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33–28 Win 20,874 3–0
4 Sat, July 19 vs. Montreal Alouettes 41–33 Win 28,800 4–0
5 Sun, July 27 vs. Toronto Argonauts 28–22 Win 28,800 5–0
6 Sat, Aug 2 at Calgary Stampeders 22–21 Win 35,650 6–0
7 Thurs, Aug 7 vs. Calgary Stampeders 30–25 Loss 28,800 6–1
8 Bye
9 Thurs, Aug 21 at Edmonton Eskimos 27–10 Loss 48,808 6–2
10 Sun, Aug 31 vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers 19–6 Win 30,985 7–2
11 Sun, Sept 7 at Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34–31 Win 29,770 8–2
12 Sat, Sept 13 at BC Lions 28–23 Loss 38,608 8–3
13 Sat, Sept 20 vs. BC Lions 27–21 Loss 30,945 8–4
14 Sun, Sept 28 at Montreal Alouettes 37–12 Loss 20,202 8–5
15 Fri, Oct 3 vs. Calgary Stampeders 37–34 Win 30,945 9–5
16 Mon, Oct 13 at Calgary Stampeders 42–5 Loss 35,650 9–6
17 Sun, Oct 19 vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats 30–29 Win 30,945 10–6
18 Sat, Oct 25 vs. Edmonton Eskimos 55–9 Win 30,945 11–6
19 Thurs, Oct 30 at Toronto Argonauts 45–38 Win 28,654 12–6

Roster
2008 Saskatchewan Roughriders roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Slotbacks

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve List

Developmental squad

Injured lists

Suspended List

Italics indicate Import player
Roster updated 2008-10-30
Depth Chart • Transactions
46 Active, 11 Inactive, 7 PS

→ More rosters

Notable transactions
Date Type Incoming Outgoing Team
September 6, 2008 Free Agent Signing Adam Nicolson, Slotback Canadian N/A British Columbia Lions (2007)
August 28, 2008 Release N/A Marcus Crandell, Quarterback American Saskatchewan Roughriders
August 23, 2008 Trade Michael Bishop, Quarterback American Conditional 2011 CFL Canadian Draft choice Toronto Argonauts
July 24, 2008 Free Agent Signing (for 2009) Kye Stewart, Linebacker American N/A Illinois State (NCAA) (2007)
July 17, 2008 Release N/A Amariah Farrow, Offensive Lineman American Saskatchewan Roughriders
July 8, 2008 Release N/A Airabin Justin, Defensive Back American Saskatchewan Roughriders
July 7, 2008 Trade
  • T.J. Acree, Wide Receiver American
  • Rights to Brian Smith, Defensive Lineman American
  • Argonauts' Third Round Canadian Draft Choice In 2011
  • Ronald Flemons, Defensive End American
  • Roughriders' Fifth Round Canadian Draft Choice In 2011
 Toronto Argonauts
June 28, 2008 Draft Pick Signing Keith Shologan, Defensive Lineman Canadian N/A San Diego Chargers (NFL) (2008)
June 18, 2008 Release N/A Brock Stratton, Linebacker American Saskatchewan Roughriders
June 6, 2008 Release N/A Quinton Jones, Defensive Back American Saskatchewan Roughriders
June 5, 2008 Trade Leron Mitchell, Cornerback Canadian Jamal Robertson, Running Back American Toronto Argonauts
June 2, 2008 Retirement N/A Tim Fleiszer, Defensive Line Canadian Saskatchewan Roughriders
June 2, 2008 Retirement N/A Kennedy Nkeyasen, Defensive Back Ghanan Saskatchewan Roughriders
June 1, 2008 Free Agent Signing Denatay Heard, Defensive Back American N/A Stillman College (NCAA) (2007)
June 1, 2008 Trade Future Considerations and a Negotiation List Player Kevin Garrett, Defensive Back American Winnipeg Blue Bombers
June 1, 2008 Release N/A Jason Mitchell, Wide Receiver American Saskatchewan Roughriders
May 31, 2008 Release N/A T.J. Stancil, Linebacker American Saskatchewan Roughriders
May 26, 2008 Free Agent Signing Adarius Bowman, Wide Receiver American N/A Oklahoma State (NCAA) (2007)
May 26, 2008 Free Agent Signing Stu Foord, Wide Receiver Canadian N/A Regina Thunder (CJFL) (2007)
May 26, 2008 Free Agent Signing Brad Peters, Offensive Lineman Canadian N/A Saskatoon Hilltops (CJFL) (2007)
May 11, 2008 Free Agent Signing Weston Dressler, Wide Receiver American N/A North Dakota (NCAA) (2007)
May 5, 2008 Free Agent Signing Kevin Scott, Offensive Lineman/Long Snapper Canadian N/A Queen's (CIS) (2007)
April 1, 2008 Free Agent Signing Kevin Garrett, Defensive Back American N/A Calgary Stampeders
March 12, 2008 Free Agent Signing Omarr Morgan, Defensive Back American N/A Edmonton Eskimos
March 5, 2008 Trade
  • Glenn January, Offensive Tackle American
  • Ronald Flemons, Defensive Lineman American
  • Argonauts first round selection in the 2008 CFL Draft
  • Argonauts second round selection in the 2010 CFL Draft
  • Kerry Joseph, Quarterback American
  • Riders third round pick in the 2010 CFL Draft
 Toronto Argonauts
March 4, 2008 Free Agent Signing Brock Stratton, Linebacker American N/A Texas Tech (NCAA) (2006)
February 27, 2008 Free Agent Signing N/A Jovon Johnson, Defensive Back American Erie RiverRats (AIFA)
February 19, 2008 Free Agent Signing N/A Reggie Hunt, Linebacker American Montreal Alouettes
February 8, 2008 Trade Steven Jyles, Quarterback American Fred Perry, Defensive End American Edmonton Eskimos
January 31, 2008 Retirement N/A Val St. Germain, Offensive Lineman Canadian N/A
January 29, 2008 Release N/A Corey Holmes, Running Back American N/A
January 29, 2008 Free Agent Signing Quinton Jones, Defensive Back American N/A San Diego Chargers (NFL) (2007)
January 29, 2008 Free Agent Signing James Patrick, Defensive Back American N/A New England Patriots (NFL) (2007)
January 23, 2008 Free Agent Signing Rob Bagg, Wide Receiver Canadian N/A Queen's (CIS) (2007)
January 23, 2008 Free Agent Signing Jason Mitchell, Wide Receiver American N/A USC (NCAA) (2006)
November 28, 2007 Retirement N/A Yo Murphy, Wide Receiver American N/A

Player stats

Passing
Player Att Comp  % Yards TD INT Rating
Michael Bishop27416058.42550101381.9
Darian Durant1297759.711227686.8
Marcus Crandell1286752.39247384.3
Steven Jyles614268.95334676.7
Andy Fantuz100.0001(−414.6)

[10]

Rushing
Player No. Yards Average TD Fumbles
Wes Cates21612295.7124
Michael Bishop462445.345
Darian Durant272047.611
Stuart Foord271626.020
Neal Hughes351303.741

[11]

Receiving
Player No. Yards Avg. Long TD
Weston Dressler56112320.1676
Andy Fantuz3648813.6313
Wes Cates3945111.6402
Rob Bagg2237116.9720
Adarius Bowman2335815.6733

[12]

Awards and records

CFL All-Star Selections

[13]

CFL West All-Star Selections

[14]

Playoffs

West Semi-Final

Date and time: Saturday, November 8, 3:30 PM Central Standard Time
Venue: Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field, Regina, Saskatchewan

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
BC Lions7910733
Saskatchewan Roughriders063312

References
  1. "Austin jumps ship for Ole Miss". Slam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  2. CANOE – SLAM! Sports – CFL – Saskatchewan: Riders hire Miller as coach Archived February 7, 2008, at archive.today
  3. "Riders season a financial success". Slam.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  4. "CFL.ca". Cfl.ca. Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  5. "CFL fans behaving badly". Slam.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on September 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  6. CBC Sports (2008-09-19). "CFL fans remember Ron Lancaster". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  7. Ralph, Dan (2008-09-18). "Tributes pour in for 'Mr. CFL,' legendary Ron Lancaster". The Star. Toronto. Archived from the original on 21 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  8. "CFL legend Ron Lancaster dies at 69". Canada.com. Archived from the original on 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  9. "Ron Lancaster". Histori.ca. Archived from the original on 2010-12-29. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  10. "CFL.ca". Cfl.ca. Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  11. "CFL.ca". Cfl.ca. Archived from the original on 2008-10-18. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  12. "CFL.ca". Cfl.ca. Archived from the original on 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  13. "CFL.ca – 2008 All-Stars". Cfl.ca. Archived from the original on 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
  14. "CFL.ca – 2008 East & West Division All-Stars". Cfl.ca. Archived from the original on 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
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