The Saskatchewan Roughriders opened their Grey Cup title defence with a win over B.C. Still, for former Riders defensive lineman Scott Schultz, the biggest takeaway wasn\u2019t a highlight throw or a game-changing tackle.<\/p>\n
The Saskatchewan Roughriders opened their Grey Cup title defence with a win over B.C. Still, for former Riders defensive lineman Scott Schultz, the biggest takeaway wasn\u2019t a highlight throw or a game-changing tackle. It was what happened at the line of scrimmage.<\/p>\n
Speaking with Barney Shynkaruk, Schultz pointed to both Saskatchewan\u2019s offensive and defensive fronts as major reasons the Riders were able to weather adversity and pull out the 31-27 victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou always want more,\u201d Schultz said of the defensive line. \u201cBut from what they did and what they were able to do, I\u2019m fine with it. It\u2019s the first game of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schultz acknowledged B.C.\u2019s momentum swings during the game but said the Riders showed one trait that championship teams consistently possess.<\/p>\n
\u201cChampionship teams, what I saw from these guys was composure,\u201d Schultz explained. \u201cEven though there were new guys in there, the composure of the overall units and the team in general is what allowed them to win that game.\u201d<\/p>\n
After building a lead and then watching the Lions push back, Schultz said Saskatchewan never appeared rattled.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey didn\u2019t get panicked. They didn\u2019t get all out of sorts when B.C. was on their run. They sorted it out, and it\u2019s on to the next play.\u201d<\/p>\n
That composure extended to the offensive line. Quarterback Trevor Harris had time to operate throughout much of the game and turned in another efficient performance, continuing to quiet any outside questions about age becoming a factor. But Schultz believes the conversation shouldn\u2019t stop with the quarterback. Asked if the offensive line deserves more credit, Schultz didn\u2019t hesitate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they don\u2019t get enough credit. Linemen in general don\u2019t,\u201d Schultz said.<\/p>\n
The former Rider pointed to last season\u2019s challenges along the offensive front, injuries, lineup changes and trying to establish continuity and believes that group showed growth in Week 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to talk about a group of guys that struggled last year, they had injuries, guys were up and down and trying to figure it out,\u201d Schultz said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor them to come out and weather all that, it speaks to the consistency of the message that the team is coaching these guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was one anxious moment when veteran tackle Jermarcus Hardrick went down during the game. Schultz admitted he had the same reaction as most fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my goodness. You always do,\u201d Schultz said. \u201cYour eyes bug out, and you\u2019re seeing, is he moving? What\u2019s he doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
When Hardrick returned, Schultz said it felt like a major sigh of relief.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was great to see him get back up and finish out.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Saskatchewan prepares for its next test in Calgary, Schultz believes the opener revealed more than just execution. His hot take wasn\u2019t about scheme, personnel or statistics. It was trust.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese guys were composed,\u201d Schultz said. \u201cThey don\u2019t think about winning games. They think about winning the series because they trust each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a team trying to defend a championship, Schultz sees that as an encouraging early sign.<\/p>\n
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