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With the passing game barely operating at better than a 50% completion rate, the Eskimos got a surprising shot of adrenaline from their backfield yesterday.
The lone bright spot on the team's offence was a picture-perfect rush by Arkee Whitlock that stands as Edmonton's longest touchdown rush of the season -- a 55-yarder that lifted the home side into a 20-15 lead over the Saskatchewan Roughriders early in the fourth quarter.
DEJECTED
"I'd give up all that for a win," a dejected Whitlock said in the sombre Eskimos locker-room following the 23-20 loss.
Whitlock followed his offensive line to the right and burned Roughriders' linebacker Renauld Williams on the play that chewed up half the length of the field.
"We actually were going to the left. Rick (Ricky Ray) audibled off of what they were lined up with and it was actually the exact way we wanted them to be. It was wide open, all I had to do was just run," said Whitlock.
"I'm just doing my job. They have faith in me when I'm out there and I'm supposed to make plays. But as a team, we want victories."
While the Eskimos fell to an even 6-6 while the Roughriders moved into a first-place tie in the West Division with the 7-5 Calgary Stampeders, there were some positives for Edmonton to build on in preparing to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers next week.
"We get better and better every week at little things," said Whitlock, who had 85 yards on 10 carries and caught two passes for 33 yards.
FINISHING
"We're just having a hard time right now finishing and I think that's the most important for us as a team. We want to have victories.
"It's been a while since we had a run as long as that one. I think it was just a great opportunity for me to make a big play -- but like I said, I'd give it up for a victory."
