Swaggerville was no match for Millerville.
In Ken Miller's first game back as head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the Green and White upset the CFL's top team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 27-7 in Sunday's Labour Day Classic XLV in Regina.
From the moment they ran out of the tunnel, the Riders appeared like a totally different team from the one which lost seven of its first eight games before the coaching change.
Rider quarterback Darian Durant fired a pair of touchdown passes to Chris Getzlaf and another to Weston Dressler as part of a 234 yard outing. Durant revealed after the game he called all his own plays for the entire contest, which was a first in his young career.
But the hero in the game was Miller, who showed incredible nerve in firing coach Greg Marshall and offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry and replaced them with himself two weeks ago.
Despite the inspiring effort of the players, the story of the game was the head coach.
"It is absolutely great in that locker room," Miller said after the contest."I think our defence was just outstanding today.Special teams were great, (kicker) Chris Milo was awesome and our offence played really well.I don't know about stats but we had some big plays and Darian played so well.The receivers and backs rallied around him."
It certainly was a satisfying feeling for the Riders who clearly had had enough of the boastful comments from Winnipeg going into the match.
"When Winnipeg plays they have fun, but we had more fun today," Miller smiled.
It was also evident the players had been yearning for Miller's return and they went out and laid it all on the line for their beloved leader.
"We knew we were in for a challenge and we rose to it," revealed Rider offensive tackle Dan Goodspeed."Ken Miller has a way of motivating you and getting everything out of you.We're lucky to have him."
The 16th consecutive sellout crowd at Mosaic Stadium went home happy and was sure to celebrate well into the night but Miller was quick to caution there's a long road left.
"We have a lot of work to do yet," Miller advised."We go to Bomberland next week and they won't be very happy with us."
The 2-7 Riders visit the 7-2 Blue Bombers Sunday in the Banjo Bowl at Canada Inns Stadium.
- Rod Pedersen is the voice of the Riders on 620 CKRM radio
