Canadian QB Bridge leads Riders to win over Ticats

HAMILTON “Air Canada” finally took flight for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The owner of that nickname, Brandon Bridge, started at quarterback Friday when veteran Kevin Glenn was scratched due to a bruised right hand. Bridge then led the Riders to a 27-19 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field.

Bridge, who hails from nearby Mississauga, Ont., completed 21 of 31 pass attempts for 231 yards and three touchdowns in his first start for Saskatchewan.

Bridge, 25, was the first Canadian-born quarterback to start for the Riders since Vancouver’s Eric Guthrie in 1977. With Guthrie at quarterback, the Riders defeated the Tiger-Cats 38-28 at Taylor Field.

Friday’s game was Bridge’s second-ever CFL start. He started Nov. 8, 2015 with the Montreal Alouettes over the visiting Roughriders. The Riders prevailed 30-24 in overtime. On Friday, Saskatchewan’s defence did its part to help out Bridge, forcing five Hamilton turnovers and the Riders scoring 17 points off the turnovers.

Saskatchewan defensive back Ed Gainey recorded two picks and has eight interceptions in the last five games. Naaman Roosevelt (22 yards), Bakari Grant (nine yards) and Devon Bailey (nine yards) all scored touchdowns for the Riders, who improved to 6-5. The TigerCats fell to 2-9.

The next game for the Riders is Sept. 24 when they play host to the Calgary Stampeders.