'Backer was Hunting for Bombers

Darrell Davis	
Leader-Post

WINNIPEG -- Setting a CFL record was no consolation for Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Reggie Hunt, whose team lost 29-27 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday.

Hunt made 16 defensive tackles, plus two on special teams, to surpass former Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Calvin Tiggle, who made 15 defensive tackles against the B.C. Lions on Aug. 19, 1999. The CFL officially began tabulating tackles in 1987.

"That was a tough loss, but their kicker made a great kick,'' said Hunt, referring to a last-play, game-winning field goal from midfield by Winnipeg's Troy Westwood.

"We were just trying to make plays and we were in the right spot for that interception and the fumble return. It's too bad we got that third one called back.''

Hunt, a second-year veteran, was among a group of defensive stars for the Roughriders, who scored two defensive touchdowns -- on Jackie Mitchell's interception and Jason Mallett's fumble recovery -- and had a third called back when Eddie Davis' interception was disallowed because of a pass interference penalty against LaDouphyous McCalla.

The most noticeable tackles Hunt made came against Bombers tailback Charles Roberts, although he also shoulder-rolled hefty fullback Mike Sellers on to the turf at least twice.

"I was frustrated because I didn't contribute that much last game,'' Hunt said. "If you want to make tackles, you have to do things like that.''

Although Hunt once collided head-on with Roberts, stopping the scatback in his tracks, and clotheslined him once later in the game, Roberts rushed for 186 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries.

"He made some good hits and he's a good linebacker,'' said Roberts. "Defensively he was definitely in the mix. But I think our fullback and our offensive line got the better of him tonight.''

Hunt led the Roughriders with 103 tackles (89 defensive and 14 on special teams) last season, when he was selected his team's outstanding defensive player. In an oversight that he refers to regularly as inspiration for this season, Hunt wasn't selected to the all-star team, an honour that was given to three members of the B.C. Lions.

Still, Hunt is more concerned with helping his team end its two-game losing skid. After losing 32-31 to the Montreal Alouettes five days earlier, it appeared as if the Roughriders were about to win their first game here since 1994.

With 33 seconds remaining, Riders fullback Chris Szarka powered six yards for a touchdown to give the visitors at 27-26 lead. But the Bombers used a kickoff return and four plays to get to Saskatchewan's 48-yard line, just within Westwood's range.

"We knew it was ours,'' Hunt said. "But that was an excellent kick. How far was it, anyway? If he makes that kick, they deserve it.

"This makes us hungry. It makes me hungry. We've got to keep our heads up. If we're going to be champions we're going to start winning games like those.''

© Copyright  2003 The Leader-Post (Regina)