RIDERS CLAW VICTORY

Hamilton Tiger-Cats wide receiver Arland Bruce III drops a pass in the end zone in front of Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Leron Mitchell (25) during the first half of their CFL football game in Hamilton on September 25, 2010.
Photograph by: Mike Cassese, Reuters

REGINA — Nearly 35 years after George Reed's final Canadian Football League game, No. 34 is still helping the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Umpire Ritchie Miller — resplendent in striped jersey No. 34 — inadvertently made a crucial block on a pivotal play as the Roughriders outlasted the Tiger-Cats 32-25 at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Saturday.

As Roughriders slotback Weston Dressler broke deep on the final offensive play of the first half, Tiger-Cats defensive back Geoff Tisdale ran into Miller. With Tisdale out of the picture, Dressler was wiiiiiiiide open as he approached the end zone.

Nonetheless, it was not an easy completion for the Roughriders. Dressler had to stretch out to snare Darian Durant's pass. After making a spectacular diving catch on the six-yard line, Dressler got up and negotiated his way into the end zone. Luca Congi's convert gave Saskatchewan a 21-18 halftime lead.

The game was hardly in the Bagg — er, bag — as the momentum continued to turn throughout the wild game. Rob Bagg caught what proved to be the game-winning touchdown pass when he hauled in a 19-yarder from Durant with 7:19 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Andy Fantuz had set up Bagg's touchdown by making a one-handed grab in tight coverage for a 32-yard gain.

The highlight reel also included Bagg's 70-yard TD bomb in the second quarter.

Let's not forget a series of immense plays by the defence — such as interceptions by Lance Frazier and James Patrick, forced fumbles by Kye Stewart and Omarr Morgan, and some robust run-stuffing by Mike McCullough and Barrin Simpson.

But there was not a bigger play in Saturday's game than Dressler's remarkable reception.

The Roughriders won by a converted touchdown — the unlikeliest major being the one scored by Dressler.

Saskatchewan had assumed possession on its 48-yard line with 16 seconds remaining in the second quarter. In most situations, the team with the football would be thinking in terms of a field goal. After Durant found Chris Getzlaf for 19 yards on first down, Roughriders head coach Ken Miller called a timeout with 10 seconds left. At that point, it seemed logical that the Roughriders would attempt an intermediate-range pass in order to increase the likelihood of a three-pointer by Congi.

Durant, a self-described gunslinger, had other ideas. Dressler ended up scoring with one second left before halftime.

The touchdown, by itself, was critical. Also consider the manner in which it was scored. How often, if ever, do you see a better play — or a better catch — than that?

How different is Saturday's game if the Roughriders do not defy probability by travelling 62 yards in two plays while consuming 15 seconds when the Tiger-Cats should, in theory, be especially cognizant of the long pass?

Perhaps, by now, people should expect such heroics from Durant and Dressler — especially in Hamilton.

They enjoyed a mutual breakout game at Ivor Wynne Stadium on July 12, 2008, when the Roughriders won 33-28 in Durant's first CFL start. Saskatchewan scored the winning touchdown in the final minute when Wes Cates found paydirt from one yard away. On the previous play, Durant and Dressler had collaborated on a 67-yarder.

Dressler finished that 2008 game with six catches for 122 yards and one TD. Durant threw for 347 yards, foreshadowing many brilliant outings to come.
From the outset, Durant established that the Roughriders are seldom out of the game when he is at the controls. That notion was reaffirmed Saturday when the Roughriders overcame a horrid start — they trailed 15-0 after a painful first quarter — and won a nail-biter against a Tiger-Cats team that had been surging.

Durant ended up throwing for 418 yards and three touchdowns. Dressler, the Roughriders' busiest receiver, made seven catches for 139 yards as the Green and White stormed back to improve their record to 8-4-0.

At times, it didn't look promising for the visitors but, by George, they did it.
rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/VANSTONE+Riders+wild+game/3580777/story.html#ixzz10dbY2qCf