All eyes at Mosaic Stadium were glued to the video board as the gates opened for the Saskatchewan Roughriders' final regular-season game against Calgary.
The final 90 seconds in Montreal was being broadcast on screens inside the stadium. When the Blue Bombers’ last-play field goal from Sergio Castillo sailed through the uprights, giving Winnipeg a 29-28 victory to clinch first place in the West Division, an audible groan was heard.
Moments later, the Riders called an audible to the team's roster plan for the game. With first place decided, Saskatchewan scratched defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr., running back A.J. Ouellette and receiver KeeSean Johnson. That meant the Riders would insert running back Frankie Hickson and receiver Joe Robustelli into the game and inform quarterback Trevor Harris he would not play.
Shea Patterson started under centre while rookie Jack Coan was elevated to second-string status. The 25-year-old got his opportunity as the game played out. Patterson was lifted late in the second quarter, making way for the former University of Notre Dame QB to see his first regular-season CFL action.
“I was thankful for the opportunity I got and I had a blast being out there,” Coan said. “Coming out of college, I was undrafted to the [Indianapolis] Colts and I ended up getting cut at the end of training camp. I then played in the XFL for a year. Then I became a free agent. It turned out Saskatchewan had my neg rights, so I got in contact with them.”
The Sayville, NY native signed with the Riders on March 15, hoping to earn a roster spot at training camp. Coan admitted he had limited Canadian football knowledge prior to arriving north of the border.
“Flipping through channels every now and then on TV. Nothing like watching full games or anything. Checking in here or there to see if something was on TV and it caught my attention," Coan said.
The rookie QB offensive coordinator Marc Mueller's attention during training camp in Saskatoon and earned a roster spot. He shares the Riders' quarterback room with Harris and Patterson, who combine for 15 years in CFL experience.
“I've walked into a great situation with Trevor and Shea. Love the coaching staff, it's a great group of guys, a great group of coaches, and it's been a ton of fun," Coan said.
Coan finished the game completing 10-of-21 passes for 100 yards with one touchdown. That 19-yard touchdown toss to Jerreth Sterns midway through the fourth quarter was not only Coan’s first in the CFL, he also became the 84th quarterback in Rider history to throw for a major.
“It was a great play design by Marc Mueller. Little motion and corner route to widen the boundary halfback, and then Sterns came right down the middle of the field on the safety. He hit a great route, the offensive line blocked great, and it was awesome all around," Coan said.
Harris is expected to start against B.C. in Saturday’s Western Semi-Final which is good by Coan.
“I'm always in the film room with Trevor, he's one of the smartest dudes ever. I'm always in his ear, listening to what he has to say about everything, picking his knowledge," Coan said.
The Western Semi-Final will be played at the 33,000-seat Mosaic Stadium. It is a bit smaller than the 77,000-seat Notre Dame Stadium where Coan finished his NCAA career, but he believes the game-day experience is similar.
“They're both awesome. To be honest with you, there's a lot of similarities. Both are historic places that love football. They have crazy fans and there's pressure in both places to win. But I mean, it's an awesome place here, and it’s a beautiful facility," Coan said.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders return to the field on Saturday, November 2, when the team hosts the B.C. Lions in the Western Semi-Final. Countdown to Kick-off begins with a chance to watch Justin Dunk and Wes Cates live at 1:30 p.m. on YouTube. Luc Mullinder and I join at 3:30 p.m. with the kick-off to follow at 4:30 p.m. on the Co-operators Roughrider Radio Network.
