Chris Getzlaf celebrates his winning touchdown in the Roughriders' 24-23 win over the Stampeders on Saturday.
Photograph by: Ted Rhodes, Calgary Herald
Photograph by: Ted Rhodes, Calgary Herald
CALGARY — Three improbable plays led to the Saskatchewan Roughriders pulling out a 24-23 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday.
First, Calgary place-kicker Sandro DeAngelis was wide left on a 49-yard field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter. Then Saskatchewan's Weston Dressler returned DeAngelis's first missed field goal in 13 attempts this season 55 yards to the Riders' 45-yard line.
First, Calgary place-kicker Sandro DeAngelis was wide left on a 49-yard field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter. Then Saskatchewan's Weston Dressler returned DeAngelis's first missed field goal in 13 attempts this season 55 yards to the Riders' 45-yard line.
Two plays later, Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant hit a streaking Chris Getzlaf on a 65-yard touchdown strike that vaulted the Riders to a 24-23 lead with 77 seconds remaining. After a pair of defensive stops, including a knockdown on the last play of the game by cornerback Donovan Alexander, the Riders had snapped a two-game losing streak.
"The stars were aligned for us in that one,'' Alexander said after the Riders improved to 3-2 and tied for first place in the West Division with the Edmonton Eskimos. "We had the DeAngelis miss and we had some great blocks for Weston. That was more than enough for him to get loose on the sideline.''
The missed field goal set the stage for Getzlaf's second touchdown of the game. He hauled in a nine-yard pass from Durant on the opening drive of the first half to give the Riders a 7-0 lead.
The final touchdown was more dramatic. The Riders faced a second-and-10 situation on their own 45. Calgary blitzed, which opened up the centre of the field for a possible long pass. Calgary was also in man-to-man coverage and Getzlaf was able to beat Ronnie Amadi for the touchdown.
"They had been getting pretty good pressure on me throughout the second half,'' said Durant, who was 16-of-27 for 257 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. "We had a play called where if they gave us the same defensive look they had been giving, we could attack them in the middle. Coach made a great call. Getzlaf ran a great route and all I had to put the ball up there.''
Getzlaf, who called the reception of the biggest of his CFL career, was starting Saturday in place of Andy Fantuz. Fantuz was a game-time scratch with a tender left hamstring.
The final touchdown was more dramatic. The Riders faced a second-and-10 situation on their own 45. Calgary blitzed, which opened up the centre of the field for a possible long pass. Calgary was also in man-to-man coverage and Getzlaf was able to beat Ronnie Amadi for the touchdown.
"They had been getting pretty good pressure on me throughout the second half,'' said Durant, who was 16-of-27 for 257 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. "We had a play called where if they gave us the same defensive look they had been giving, we could attack them in the middle. Coach made a great call. Getzlaf ran a great route and all I had to put the ball up there.''
Getzlaf, who called the reception of the biggest of his CFL career, was starting Saturday in place of Andy Fantuz. Fantuz was a game-time scratch with a tender left hamstring.
"I don't know about proving anything to anyone,'' said Getzlaf, who had five receptions for 101 yards. "I had the same opportunity last year and I was able to make a few plays when I could. Andy is a big player to replace and you have to set bar pretty high to fill his shoes.''
The miss capped what had been a wild week for DeAngelis. On Wednesday, DeAngelis and punter Burke Dales got into a pre-practice fight. DeAngelis was left with a black eye but the two said they had left the disagreement behind them.
On Saturday, DeAngelis wasn't able to connect on a 49-yard field goal attempt that could have provided Calgary with a 26-17 lead.
"I pride on myself on making that kick and I have to step up to the plate and make it,'' said DeAngelis, who had connected on all three of his previous field goals. "I let the guys down and hopefully I get a chance to redeem myself next week.''
The Stampeders fell to 2-3 and are to play host to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers next Saturday. The Riders are in Vancouver on Friday to play the B.C. Lions.
"This is huge because we lost two in a row,'' said Durant. "It's important for us to get as many wins as can now for later in the season.''
Riders head coach Ken Miller had announced plans on Thursday to rest Durant for a couple of series in the first half to allow backup Steven Jyles a chance to play.
Jyles did come in with the Riders trailing 13-7. He played two series and was able to reduce Calgary's lead to 13-10 at the half when place-kicker Luca Congi connected on an 18-yard field goal.
Durant was back at quarterback in the second half and helped the Riders outscore Calgary 14-10.
"I showed me some of the things that they were doing from a different perspective,'' said Durant. "It helped me out and hopefully I don't have to get used to that. It can only benefit you.''
Miller was also pleased with how Durant handled the game.
Miller was also pleased with how Durant handled the game.
"He did a very nice job and that was a tremendous throw on that deep ball,'' said Miller. "We have to give a lot of credit to our offensive line because they were blitzing on that play. Our protection held up and we had the opportunity to throw the ball downfield. It was a perfect throw.''
Durant also connected with Dressler on a 19-yard pass in the third quarter. Congi connected on 1-of-3 field-goal attempts.
Calgary quarterback Henry Burris rushed for one touchdown while completing 17-of-29 passes for 224 yards and 10-yard touchdown pass to Jon Cornish.
Calgary had two possessions after Getzlaf's touchdown but Burris wasn't able to complete a pass.
"The knock on us was we start strong and we don't finish games properly,'' said Alexander. "The last two weeks we've only played four quarters and that was just the first two halves. It was great finish this from the start to the end.
"The knock on us was we start strong and we don't finish games properly,'' said Alexander. "The last two weeks we've only played four quarters and that was just the first two halves. It was great finish this from the start to the end.
"Calgary is a great team and they are the defending Grey Cup champions. To come into their place, score into the wind in the fourth quarter . . . It doesn't get any better than that.''
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