Saskatchewan Roughriders' Hugh Charles on his way to the end zone during CFL action against the Calgary Stampeders at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on September 17, 2010.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders won one the hard way.
The Roughriders beat the Calgary Stampeders 43-37 in overtime on Friday. The win was an improvement over Saskatchewan's last outing — a 31-2 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — but how the Riders and Stampeders ended up in overtime will dominate conversations.
The Riders inexplicably rejected a 35-yard field goal attempt by Luca Congi in the closing seconds of the fourth and elected to have punter Eddie Johnson kick the ball through Calgary's end zone for a single point and the win. Johnson, who had been booming the ball, wasn't able to accomplish that and Calgary's Dean Murphy was able to run the ball out of the end zone to force overtime tied at 37-37.
"We had (head coach Ken Miller's) back,'' said Riders middle linebacker Barrin Simpson. "We knew that that we're a good football team. We just wanted to get back to what we do well and that's play as a team, play well in all three phases of the game and we did that tonight.
"We know it's playoff time. We've got to get in that playoff groove and get ourselves prepared to make that playoff run.''
Running back Wes Cates scored on a five-yard run on Saskatchewan's first possession of the overtime period. The Riders weren't able to convert the two-point conversion.
The Riders' defence stiffened and kept Calgary from scoring to salvage their second overtime win at home this season. Saskatchewan opened the season with a 54-51 double overtime win over the Montreal Alouettes on July 1.
The win extended the Riders' home unbeaten streak to six games and stopped Calgary's winning streak at seven games. The Riders improved to 7-4-0, good enough for second in the West. The Stampeders fell to 9-2-0 but still lead the division.
"We got our swagger back,'' said Riders cornerback Tad Kornegay. "This was a huge win. We needed it. We've still doing our thing at home. Now all we need to do is take it on the road and keep this winning streak going.''
The decision to punt instead of kicking a field goal have overshadowed some of the Riders' offensive performances. Quarterback Darian Durant was 23-of-39 for 500 yards, an interception and two touchdowns. Slotback Andy Fantuz had 10 receptions for 255 yards and a 60-yard touchdown pass.
"We had a game plan going in,'' Fantuz said. "They bring a lot of pressure and play single coverage behind. We knew we could get past them if we bought some time for our QB. Darian had a great game running the ball and passing, so kudos to him.''
The Riders forced overtime with a spirited rally in the fourth quarter. Fantuz caught a 60-yard touchdown pass from Darian Durant and Congi connected on two field goals, including a 44-yard attempt that tied the contest with 64 seconds remaining.
Calgary's Joffrey Reynolds (four-yard run) and Rob Maver (30-yard field goal) scored for the Stampeders in the fourth quarter.
The Riders and Stampeders exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter. Jon Cornish scored on a 30-yard pass from quarterback Henry Burris to give Calgary a 27-23 lead after three quarters.
Running back Hugh Charles scored on a 30-yard to help Saskatchewan grab a 23-20 lead.
The Stampeders raced into a 10-0 lead in what turned out be an entertaining first half.
Milt Collins intercepted Durant's second pass attempt and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown. Maver then connected on a 25-yard field goal to give Calgary a 10-0 first-quarter advantage.
The Stampeders raced into a 10-0 lead in what turned out be an entertaining first half.
Milt Collins intercepted Durant's second pass attempt and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown. Maver then connected on a 25-yard field goal to give Calgary a 10-0 first-quarter advantage.
The Riders pecked away at Calgary's lead early in the second quarter. Running back Wes Cates scored on an eight-yard run on a direct snap and receiver Weston Dressler scored on a 77-yard pass from Durant.
Johnson added the second of his two singles in the half to pad the Riders' lead to 16-10.
The Stampeders rebounded to grab a 17-16 lead when Drew Tate scored on a one-yard run. Maver added another 22-yard field goal as Calgary went into the half leading 20-16.
The Stampeders rebounded to grab a 17-16 lead when Drew Tate scored on a one-yard run. Maver added another 22-yard field goal as Calgary went into the half leading 20-16.
It may have been a costly first half for the Riders in terms of injuries. Starting defensive end Brent Hawkins left mid-way through the second quarter with a right shoulder injury.
The Riders are off until Tuesday when they begin on-field preparations for a Sept. 25 in Hamilton against the Tiger-Cats. The Stampeders play host to the B.C. Lions on Sept. 25.
The Riders are off until Tuesday when they begin on-field preparations for a Sept. 25 in Hamilton against the Tiger-Cats. The Stampeders play host to the B.C. Lions on Sept. 25.
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