Cody Fajardo put on his green and white superhero cape and flew in for the Riders game-winning touchdown.
Saskatchewan got the ball back with just over two minutes left on the clock trailing 19-16. Kyran Moore returned the punt 38 yards and setup the offence at Hamilton’s 42-yard line. Fajardo led a five-play 42-yard drive capped by his five-yard touchdown run, beating Ticats defensive back Delvin Breaux to the corner of the end zone.
“I made a business decision diving for the pylon. I just had tunnel vision on that pylon. Anytime the game’s on the line or I’m going towards the goal line it doesn’t matter what the score is I’m always going to be putting my body at risk,” Fajardo said.
That came after Fajardo has his ankle rolled up on in the third quarter. There was some worry around Mosaic Stadium, but Fajardo never missed a snap. Even though initially Fajardo thought his ankle might have been broken.
“I got up, I really couldn’t run on it and then I got to the sideline, doc checked it out, and they taped it up pretty good and I was able to finish the game,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo finished the game 25-of-31 (80 per cent completion rate) for 313 yards and rushed nine times for a team-high 56 yards including the decisive major in 24-19 win. The Riders, who are 4-3, next game is Friday, August 9 against the Montreal Alouettes. Saskatchewan’s QB expects to be healthy and productive.
“I twisted both my ankles in the B.C. game and I was able to play on a short week, so I just think there’s going to be some swelling. I think I’ll be ready to go,” Fajardo said.
“He’ll be fine we got eight days. He’s a warrior. He just keeps pushing through. We gave him the game ball, he had a great game,” head coach Craig Dickenson said.
“That sort of performance even hobbled up a little bit guys really rally around guys that they know are tough and that are going to put their team above themselves. And he did that. Certainly reinforces that we’re in good hands.”
