It may be a surprise to many that Jake Dolegala is shining in Saskatchewan after being buried on the depth chart, but it’s really nothing new for the Buffalo-born quarterback.
Just ask one of the men who knows him best.
“He’s always made the hard choice to compete and do everything he can to make the most of what he has,” said former NFL QB Jim Kubiak, a Buffalo-based quarterback development coach who has known Dolegala since he was a teenager.
“He did it coming out of high school, he did it coming out of prep school — he was like the fifth guy coming into Milford Academy (in New Berlin, N.Y.). Nobody had ever seen him throw and he goes in there and lights it up. He’s a come-from-behind kind of guy. He’s a tough guy, mentally. He’s going to stay in there and keep fighting.”
That’s pretty much been the career storyline for the six-foot-seven Dolegala since he tore the labrum on his throwing shoulder while diving to make a tackle after an interception in the third game of his senior season in high school.
Suddenly, hopes of a big-time scholarship were dashed. Milford Academy, generally a place for athletes to gain academic eligibility for NCAA action, gave him a shot and it led to one scholarship — at Central Connecticut, outside the top level of play.
“Whenever a quarterback hurts their throwing arm, you have those thoughts (of if a career is in jeopardy) and how do you move forward,” Kubiak said. “It starts with a really good surgeon, a really good team and rehab. I’ve got to tell you he was on the doorstep of making a decision of maybe not to play or to play.”
But play he did, and after a long, winding road, maybe he has found a home in Regina.
After starring for Central Connecticut, Dolegala did attract some NFL Draft buzz. He was not picked, but signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019. Two stints each with the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers and some time with the Miami Dolphins followed, but Dolegala never saw the field in regular-season play.
So, Dolegala signed with Saskatchewan last year — but was third on the depth chart, making one start when injuries hit.
This year, he was third again — before injuries took out Trevor Harris and Mason Fine.
“I think the long road to get there shows how determined he is,” Kubiak said. “A lot of guys might have said, ‘You know what, it’s time for me to turn the page. Jake has never said that, he’s always had the belief, he’s always had the drive.”
Over the past two weeks, Dolegala, 26, has led the Roughriders (6-5) to wins over the West’s top two teams, the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He threw for 326 yards in an overtime win over the visiting Blue Bombers in the Labour Day Classic after throwing for 239 yards and three touchdowns (and no interceptions) in a win over B.C.
“He’s resilient, he comes into work each and every day and prepares like a professional like you’re supposed to. It shows on the field,” Roughriders star running back Jamal Morrow said. “We believe every time (No.) 9 is on the field, we can go out and get a W. He continues to impress and improve each week which is huge for us.”
Just like another quarterback from Buffalo, Toronto Argonauts star Chad Kelly, Dolegala is giving his team reason to believe a playoff drive could be in the cards.
A rematch with the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg is on tap Saturday — and the Roughriders will have plenty of confidence.
What did the two last weeks prove?
“That we’re here, that (other Grey Cup contenders) can’t forget about us,” Dolegala said. “We’re a tough opponent, our defence is legit, we can put up points on offence. I think we’re a very well-rounded team.”
Bulletin-Board Material?
The schedule maker was particularly unkind to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this week — they’re in Ottawa to face the Redblacks on Friday, just four days after losing at home to the Argos in the Labour Day classic.
But perhaps they got a jolt of energy after reading the words of Redblacks receiver Nate Behar in an interview with Tim Baines of Ottawa Postmedia.
“They like to take shots when people aren’t looking. It’s not a way I’d feel proud to play, and I’d say that to their face,” Behar said.
Asked to elaborate, Behar said: “Trying to put their hands on my throat, throat punching, spitting in people’s faces. I don’t know what the hell is going on, it’s bizarre.”
Closing In
If the Argos split the upcoming home-and-home series with the Montreal Alouettes, they’ll need no more than two wins in their final six games to clinch first in the East and home-field advantage for the division final.
A win this week at home secures a playoff spot for the defending Grey Cup champs.
Winnipeg, meanwhile, can clinch a seventh straight playoff berth with a victory over Saskatchewan.
Power Rankings
1. Toronto Argonauts (9-1, first last week): Kelly wasn’t at his best and yet the Argos still put up 41 points in Hamilton on Labour Day.
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-3, second last week): Will be primed for revenge vs. Riders after Pete Robertson’s stupid head-butt on Winnipeg star QB Zach Collaros, resulting in a one-game suspension.
3. Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-5, third last week): A win this week in Winnipeg would really tighten things up in the West.
4. B.C. Lions (8-4, fourth last week): QB Vernon Adams Jr. rebounded with a nice effort in his first start back in Montreal since the Alouettes shipped him to the West Coast last year.
5. Montreal Alouettes (6-5, fifth last week): Had their chances against the Lions, but couldn’t get it done.
6. Calgary Stampeders (4-8, eighth last week): Huge comeback in the fourth quarter against Edmonton keeps the Stampeders in the playoff hunt. Crossover playoff berth looks possible.
7. Edmonton Elks (2-10, seventh last week): The loss in Calgary was painful, but exciting QB Tre Ford continued to show promising signs.
8. Ottawa Redblacks (3-8, ninth last week): Need some energy coming off the bye.
9. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-7, sixth last week): Couldn’t maintain momentum after big upset in B.C.
Week 14 Picks
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ottawa Redblacks (-3.5), Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT: Ottawa coming off the bye while Hamilton played Monday. Horrific scheduling. PICK: Ottawa
Montreal Alouettes at Toronto Argonauts (-10.5), Saturday, 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT: Alouettes lost by eight against Toronto in Montreal earlier this season. PICK: Montreal
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-7.5), Saturday, 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT: Blue Bombers usually react well after tough losses. PICK: Winnipeg
Calgary Stampeders at Edmonton Elks (-2.5), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. MT: Can the Elks actually win two in a row at home following 22 consecutive losses at Commonwealth? PICK: Calgary
2023 Picks Record: 27-24