Saskatchewan Roughriders' Rob Bagg cuts away from B.C. Lions Davis Sanchez at Mosaic Stadium in Regina August 12, 2010.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders ground out a workmanlike victory over the struggling B.C. Lions in Thursday's Hall of Fame game.
Running back Wes Cates and quarterback Darian Durant scored two rushing touchdowns each in Saskatchewan's 37-13 CFL victory over the Lions before a sold-out crowd of 30,048 at Mosaic Stadium.
"We has some success along the ground the last time we played them, so we wanted to continue that tonight,'' Durant said. "Wes is always a threat on the ground, too. We put a lot of effort this week into the running game and it paid off for us.''
Saskatchewan improved to 5-2 and rebounded nicely from a 30-26 loss to the Montreal Alouettes last Friday. The Lions fell to 1-6 and have lost six straight since opening the season with a 25-10 victory over the Edmonton Eskimos on July 4.
Both teams are now off for the bye week. The Lions return to action Aug. 27 when they play host to the Calgary Stampeders. The Riders are in Edmonton on Aug. 28 to play the Eskimos.
The Riders ran up a 30-13 third-quarter lead on the strength of the rushing touchdowns and a safety. Durant then connected with slotback Chris Getzlaf on a 36-yard touchdown pass, which increased the Riders' lead to 37-13.
The Riders ran up a 30-13 third-quarter lead on the strength of the rushing touchdowns and a safety. Durant then connected with slotback Chris Getzlaf on a 36-yard touchdown pass, which increased the Riders' lead to 37-13.
"When you're doing your thing along the ground and Durant is doing his thing with the receivers, it makes us a tough team to stop,'' said Cates, who had 13 carries for 61 yards while Durant rushed nine times for 67 yards. "It's a real big win for us, especially coming off that loss last week. You aways want to go into a bye — especially when you have a lot of time to think about what you've done — you want it to be positive.''
The Riders' defence also contributed to those positive feelings. Linebacker Jerrell Freeman had three of the team's five sacks and the defence forced four turnovers. The Lions were limited to a pair of Paul McCallum field goals and a 51-yard touchdown run by Yonus Davis early in the third quarter.
"(Freeman) had his best game as a Rider tonight," said Riders' head coach Ken Miller. "He was special on special teams and was ever-present on defence."
Jarious Jackson, B.C.'s third starting quarterback this season, completed 17 of 29 passes for 194 yards and was intercepted twice.
The Riders were in such control of the game that backup quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie came in with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter for his first game action of the 2010 season. Durant departed after completing 18 of 27 passes for 223 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions. Dinwidde was one of three for two yards.
The Roughriders took advantage of a B.C. turnover and numerous penalties en route to 21-6 half-time lead.
Defensive halfback Lance Frazier set up the Riders' first touchdown when he returned a Jackson interception 25 yards to B.C.'s three-yard line. Cates scored on the next play, giving the Riders a 7-6 lead after Luca Congi's convert.
Cates and Durant accounted for Saskatchewan's other first-half majors. Durant scored on a nine-yard run early in the second quarter and Cates scored late in the first half on a one-yard run. McCallum connected on field goals of six and 32 yards.
B.C. kept a number of Riders' first-half drives alive with penalties. The Lions were penalized eight times for 89 yards. The Riders penalized five times for 50 yards.
The half-time show was one of the game's highlights as the Canadian Football Hall of Fame class of 2010 was introduced. This year's inductees are receiver Don Narcisse, quarterback Tracy Ham, punter Bob Cameron and linebacker Elfrid Payton and builder Joe Pistilli.
Narcisse, who spent 18 seasons with the Riders, received the warmest welcome. Narcisse's appearance capped Don Narcisse Day in Regina. The official induction ceremonies are to be held in Saskatoon on Saturday.
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