Crapigna: ‘You can’t dwell on missed kicks’

REGINA — For those who watched Sunday’s thrilling finish between the Riders and Bombers, they likely won’t forget anytime soon. However for Tyler Crapigna, he is looking to drop it and move on after an afternoon that just wasn’t right from start to finish.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker had a challenging afternoon on Mark’s Labour Day Weekend, going one for three on field goals and a missed extra point. Despite the struggles, Crapigna faced media after the game and insisted that letting missed opportunities fester is just not the right approach for him or his club.

“I already forgot it,” Crapigna insisted after the loss to the Bombers. “Game is over now and got to move on to next week. Can’t be dwelling on missed kicks. It is all about the next one. “

Crapigna missed early field goals from 39 and 45 yards out and after hitting a 41-yarder had a chance to win the game with an extra point. Following a Kendial Lawrence 85-yard punt return touchdown late in the fourth, Crapigna could have put the Riders in the lead for the first time all day but missed the extra point.

It likely wouldn’t have made the difference as the three point swing was coming shortly thereafter but it was indicitative of the day that the young kicker was having.

“We have been in a lot of games this season,” Crapigna told reporters when asked about heading into the Banjo Bowl 1-9. “We had a close game in Edmonton and we are getting there. We just need to find ways to win and im sure it will come eventually – table has got to turn.”

Crapigna vows to be better next week and in Chris Jones’ post-game media scrum he more than had his kicker’s back. But it was in stark contrast to the performance of his counterpart Justin Medlock. Medlock was good on seven of eight field goals, including the game-winner but Crapigna was quick to make sure that he wasn’t going to be defined by the one performance before heading into the rematch.

“He’s good but last itme I checked I was right up there with him in field goal percentage and im not really concerned about it,” Crapigna said of Medlock. “I will be back next week and get things ironed out.”

The Riders will have a chance to get even with their rivals next Saturday in Winnipeg.