5 things learned from Saskatchewan Roughriders loss to Toronto

It was the most exciting game of the season so far on Sunday, but that is little solace to the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they lost 42-40 on Sunday against Toronto.

Here are five things fans learned from Sunday's double-overtime loss:

1. Yards, yards and more yards

With Darian Durant gone for the season, there were questions about how the Riders offence would look with quarterback Kevin Glenn in charge. They were answered with nearly 600 yards of offence.

Glenn threw for 477 yards and two touchdowns while spreading the ball around to seven different targets. Jerome Messam had 156 yards of total offence, including 84 on the ground.

Glenn did throw an untimely fourth quarter interception that was ran back for a touchdown and the offence did settle for four field goals. But the offence proved it could move the ball in an efficient and exciting manner.

"I think Glenn did great. He played a great game," Messam said. "He was very poised and he led us. We believed in him and it's just unfortunate that we got the loss today."

2. Passive defence

When head coach Corey Chamblin took over the defence, he promised a more aggressive style. That was missing on Sunday. The Riders failed to generate consistent pressure against Toronto quarterback, Trevor Harris.

That was especially true in the final drive of regulation when the defence rushed only three players and dropped back into zone coverage. Harris was able to find receivers and eventually tied the game with a strike to receiver Chad Owens.

Chamblin admitted after the game his defence needs more pressure on the quarterback. 

"I thought we were doing a good job early on Harris. Even into the fourth, but then things got away from us at the end. The whole thing was to let them kick three. Just let them kick three."

On the bright side, the Riders tackling was much better than the home opener against Winnipeg.

3. A star is born

Rider fans are used to seeing a tiny receiver from North Dakota make big plays at Mosaic Stadium. Except he usually wears No. 7.

On Sunday, Ryan Smith made the most of his start at wide receiver by making eight catches for 174 yards and one touchdown. He made a pair of spectacular catches in the fourth quarter and routinely was able to blow by defenders with his speed.

Coach Chamblin said it was great to see a new playmaker emerge on the roster and that Smith is learning what it takes to be a professional football player.

"Ryan's put in the work and he's earned a spot out there," Weston Dressler said. "He's going to be a big player for us this season and it's going to open more things up for our offence."

4. Glass half full

Coach Chamblin was hard on his players during practice last week. He made headlines for chastising the team for their poor practice efforts, but after the loss he was optimistic about the direction they were headed in.

Chamblin talked about losing the first two games by a combined six points, which tells him the team is close to earning their first win. He was also pleased with the effort his players showed during a long and very physical game. 

"When you lose them tight that means you're really close. When you're getting blown out that means you're doing everything wrong. So that means we're close. As the guys continue to grow, we won't be losing them by two or three, we'll be winning games," Chamblin said. 

5. The new CFL

When the league decided to make several rule changes in the off-season, the hope was it would bring back the excitement and drama that was missing throughout 2014. Mission accomplished on Sunday.

There were 17 points scored in the fourth quarter and another 26 during two overtime sessions. There were several big plays made by receivers who are making the most of the new rule prohibiting defenders from touching them after five yards.

The league used to market the fact that no lead was safe in the CFL and that was certainly the case on Sunday. The rule changes have made defending a lead difficult, but on Sunday the changes also created many thrills for fans in the stands and those watching at home.

"No lead is safe in the CFL," Kevin Glenn said. "That's why you have to stay prepared. I think our offence and our defence stayed prepared tonight but we just didn't get the victory."