The Saskatchewan Roughriders started the 2024 season like a house on fire: a 4-0 start, top spot in the CFL’s West Division, with optimism in the air.
And while that optimism took a hit with a string of losses, the team’s Friday night victory by 37-29 over the Stampeders brought in a Rock.
No, not the famous movie star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, but running back Ryquell “Rock” Armstead.
Armstead was signed by the Riders last Monday to provide a boost to the Riders’ ground attack.
By Friday, people were seeing him as a potential saviour of the season.
Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris (7) throws the ball as Calgary Stampeders’ Demerio Houston (6) rushes in during second half CFL football action against the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
A string of losses
The CFL season is a long one and even the best teams lose games, maybe even a few in a row.
But seven straight winless weeks isn’t conducive to long-term success.
Or, to put it in terms Rider fans are more familiar with, seven straight winless weeks isn’t conducive to “sustained success.”
Going into last Friday’s game in Calgary, the Riders hadn’t picked up a win since defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 19-9 on July 19.
Rider fans had seen this movie before.
As the rock band Aerosmith sings, “It’s the same old story. It’s the same old song and dance, my friend.”
But Armstead didn’t just provide a boost to the team’s running game – he strapped a rocket to it, with 25 rushing attempts for 207 yards.
And he may not even know the entire playbook.
Saskatchewan Roughriders’ AJ Ouellette, seen here scoring in a game against the B.C. Lions, could be part of a crackerjack combo with the addition of the Riders’ new running back, Ryquell Armstead. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
If the Riders want to get back in the West Division race for first place, they would be smart to put the ball in Armstead’s hands as much as possible, with him bringing a new dimension on offence.
AJ Ouellette, the team’s primary ball carrier when healthy, is more of a straightforward runner. He tends to seek out contact when he carries the ball, whereas Armstead uses his speed and agility to dance around defenders.
The tandem of Ouellette and Armstead could cause headaches for any opposing defence.
They could create a “thunder and lightning” backfield that could become part of Rider lore.
Every Rider Grey Cup-winning team has had a star in the backfield.
In 1966, there was the incomparable George Reed.
In 1989, there was solid all-around back Tim McCray.
In 2007, Wes Cates ran the rock in the Grey Cup game while suffering from a broken foot.
In 2013, Kory Sheets ran his way into the Riders history books and brought home the Grey Cup MVP in front of adoring fans at Taylor Field.
In 2024, Ouellette and Armstead can create a partnership for the ages.