Amid a seven-game winless streak, the Saskatchewan Roughriders know they are running out of time to get back on track and challenge for a playoff spot. The Riders haven’t won since July 19 and fallen from contending for first in the West Division into the third and final playoff spot.
Those seven games have been decided by an average of just 4.3 points and the close but not quite narrative is wearing on the team, according to quarterback Trevor Harris.
“Guys are frustrated. We've got guys that are hungry, that want to try and find ways to win. I've been in two situations like this before in my career, and it's just a matter of time when we find that first win. It'll start pouring over, and good things will start happening."
In the Roughriders last seven games, Harris has started four since returning from the injured list after a sprained knee in Week 3. Since his return, Harris has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 1,200 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
“It's a bad taste in our mouth right now. I’m sick of saying every week that it was a winnable game," Harris said. "We're there, we're close. We just need to win games.”
With five games left in the regular season, Harris and the Riders feel a sense of urgency to win and keep their playoff hopes alive.
“It's just about doing the next right thing, and unfortunately, we've not done the next right thing a couple of times in key moments. It's just a matter of time before that does happen, and we get that belief. You inject the belief, and the good things start happening, and the wins start piling up.”
Harris’ confidence in his teammates hasn’t waivered.
“I know a lot of people probably don't believe me, and I don't blame people for not believing me, but at the end of the season, we're going to look back and look at moments like this and know that there was a turning point. It's just a matter of what that turning point is.”
The Riders return to the practice field Monday, September 16 when the team begins preparing for a Friday, September 20 meeting with the Stampeders in Calgary at 7:30 p.m.
You can catch Countdown to Kickoff starting at 4:30 p.m., the Rider Nation pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. Luc Mullinder and yours truly have the game call.
