The Saskatchewan Roughriders clinched second place within the CFL’s West Division with a 29-24 victory over the Edmonton Elks on Saturday.
The Riders will now host the Calgary Stampeders within the West Division semifinal on Nov. 28.
The Riders trailed 21-20 heading into the fourth quarter however regained the lead when fullback Alexandre Dupuis scored on a four-yard go from Cody Fajardo with 6:28 remaining within the sport. It was the primary profession landing for the 31-year-old Dupuis, who’s in his sixth CFL season.
The Elks narrowed the deficit to 26-24 with a 38-yard discipline objective by Sean Whyte with 3:12 remaining however the Riders sealed the victory on Brett Lauther’s 27-yard discipline objective with 33 seconds left within the sport.
The Elks opened the scoring halfway by the primary quarter when Taylor Cornelius linked with Jalen Tolliver on a 24-yard go. The landing got here after Saskatchewan’s Jamal Morrow fumbled a punt, which the Elks recovered on the Riders 22-yard-line.
Morrow instantly made up for his gaffe by returning the following kickoff 82 yards. It was the longest kick return of the season for the Riders, and after an Edmonton penalty for a horse-collar deal with on Morrow, Saskatchewan began the possession on the Elks eight-yard-line.
After a brief run by William Powell, Fajardo hit Kian Schaffer-Baker on a six-yard landing go to tie the sport at 7-7.
Fajardo adopted up with a 14-yard scoring go to Duke Williams early within the second quarter to extend the Saskatchewan result in 14-7. A conceded security by the Elks and a single by punter Kaare Vedvik elevated their result in 17-7.
The Elks narrowed the hole to 17-14 late within the first half with Cornelius and Tanner Inexperienced combining on a five-yard landing go. The scoring drive was eight performs and one Saskatchewan penalty with working again Walter Fletcher dealing with the ball on the primary seven performs. He gained 41 yards on 5 carries and 15 yards on two receptions earlier than Inexperienced scored the most important.
Within the third quarter, Lauther kicked a 22-yard discipline objective to provide the Riders a 20-14 lead.
Edmonton regained the lead late within the third quarter when Tolliver caught a four-yard scoring go from Cornelius. The landing was arrange two performs earlier when Tolliver hauled in a 30-yard go on a play the place the Riders appeared to have Cornelius trapped. The quarterback slipped away from the stress and located Tolliver huge open within the flat.
Fajardo, who was 12 for 16 passing for 139 yards and two touchdowns within the first half, completed 23 of 32 for 245 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
Williams had a formidable half, catching six passes for 115 yards and one landing. His longest reception of the half was a 48-yarder. He completed with eight receptions for 146 yards.
Cornelius was 20 for 30 passing for 224 yards with three touchdowns and one interception after going 12 for 18 for 88 yards and two touchdowns within the first half.
Tolliver was Edmonton’s high receiver with 5 catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Fletcher added 88 yards speeding on 20 carries.
Pete Robertson and Deon Lacey had sacks for the Riders within the first half whereas AC Leonard added his tenth sack of the season within the fourth quarter. Jay Dearborn got here up with an interception on Edmonton’s remaining possession of the sport.
Nafees Lyon had an interception for the Elks and Jake Ceresna had one sack.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
