Roughriders bounce back with 33-27 win over B.C. Lions

National Post

6 days ago

The Saskatchewan Roughriders responded in a big way on Saturday night.
Article content
After suffering their first loss of the season at the hands of the Calgary Stampeders one week ago, the Roughriders improved to 5-1 with a 33-27 over the B.C. Lions, who dropped to 3-4, in Week 7 of the CFL season.
Article content
It was Saskatchewan's second victory over the Lions this season after also beating B.C. 37-18 in Week 4.
Article content
Article content
Quarterback Trevor Harris, who was out with injury the last these teams met, completed 23 of 30 passes for 395 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Two of those touchdown passes were to receiver Dohnte Meyers, who led the way with 132 receiving yards on seven catches.
Article content
As for how it all played out, it was an electric start to the game for the Green and White.
Article content
After Saskatchewan's defence forced a two-and-out, Harris and the Roughriders' offence went to work.
Article content
Following a first-down run by A.J. Ouellette, Harris hit Meyers for another first-down gain. Two plays later, Harris went back to Meyers on a 50-yard touchdown strike to put the visitors up 7-0 early.
Article content
On the ensuing kickoff, the Roughriders' special teams unit forced a fumble on the return as Jayden Dalke scooped up the loose ball and gave Saskatchewan's offence a second opportunity to put points up early on.
Article content
And while the Roughriders couldn't find the end zone, Brett Lauther nailed a 45-yard field goal to make it 10-0.
Article content
Article content
After linebacker A.J. Allen nearly intercepted Lions' quarterback Nathan Rourke, the Lions put up a single point on the board with a punt into the end zone for a rouge to make it 10-1.
Article content
Article content
On Saskatchewan's third drive of the game, Harris found Joe Robustelli for a 29-yard gain before hitting Dhel Duncan-Busby for a 19-yard gain to B.C.'s seven-yard line.
Article content
On the next play, Harris rolled out the pocket and found Ouellette for a short touchdown pass to make it 17-1 Saskatchewan.
Article content
B.C. responded on their next drive as Rourke escaped a sack before throwing a 40-yard touchdown pass to Ayden Eberhardt to make it 17-8 at the end of the first quarter.
Article content
As the Roughriders looked to put another scoring drive together, Saskatchewan's offence gained a couple of first downs before Harris was intercepted on a deep pass by B.C.'s Ronald Kent on his own five-yard line.
Article content
After the Lions were forced to punt it away, rookie Drae McCray returned it 24 yards before Harris found Samuel Emilus, making his return to the lineup for the first time since Week 2, for a 69-yard gain down to the 12-yard line.