Jefferson’s game against ex-team about more that statistics

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This article was published 08/10/2019 (2194 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Willie Jefferson has put up some monster stat lines for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this season.

But when you look at the stat sheet from Saturday’s 21-6 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, you won’t find the star defensive lineman anywhere.

That’s because Jefferson didn’t register a single defensive stat in the loss — he had zero sacks, zero tackles, zero pass knockdowns and zero forced fumbles. Jefferson had more doughnuts than your friendly neighbourhood bakery.

Although there are no numbers to show for it, Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said don’t be fooled — Jefferson still influenced the game.

“Stats don’t always tell a story,” O’Shea said after Tuesday’s practice. “You can do a lot of things and draw double-teams and get chip blocks and all that other stuff, which makes an offence account for you. And when they have to do something to account for you, then they’re making a concession in another area and you can also play extremely well. Quite often, we talk about the play being made in football, and a lot of times the play doesn’t equate to a stat.”

It was news to Jefferson that he was held off the stat sheet. But when it was brought to his attention, it didn’t necessarily bother him. He said Riders quarterback Cody Fajardo got rid of the ball quickly on first down and the running game was kept in check as running back William Powell was held to 45 yards on 11 carries.

Jefferson, a former Roughrider, leads the team with 11 sacks this season.

“Man, I’m out there trying to do it all for the team,” Jefferson said. “If I can get a tackle, a knockdown or a sack or anything, I feel like that’s me being a part of the team. I didn’t have any stats, but I felt like my presence was felt during the game. I was on a couple tackles, might’ve not been the first guy there.

“I was on a couple of those sacks, might not have been the first guy there to get the stat, but I’m not really a big stat guy.”

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Bombers defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall missed all of last week’s practices and Saturday’s game due to a personal matter. Hall has yet to rejoin the team as he also missed Tuesday’s practice.

O’Shea was brief when asked for an update on how Hall’s doing.

“He’s doing great,” O’Shea told the media.

O’Shea also wouldn’t reveal who called the defensive plays on Saturday in Hall’s absence. There’s still no set timetable for Hall’s return.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31