Powell, Redblacks down Roughriders

touchdown pass. That score brought the Riders within five with 2:40 remaining.

One week after Saskatchewan’s defence registered five interceptions and returned two for touchdowns in a dominant win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the unit looked rather ordinary against Trevor Harris and the Ottawa offence.

Harris was sharp all night. The Redblacks quarterback threw for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns. Diontae Spencer was his favourite target with eight receptions and 110 yards receiving.

Collaros struggled on the night. He completed 10-of-26 pass attempts for 162 yards. He was intercepted once.

Marcus Thigpen took the game’s opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to give the Riders an early 7-0 lead. But the Redblacks responded with three touchdowns, with the third coming on a 109-yard drive to close the first half. Spencer caught a four-yard pass from Harris to cap that drive that gave Ottawa a 20-10 lead going into halftime. Harris also connected with R.J. Harris for a 49-yard touchdown in the first half. Powell’s first touchdown run of the game was a 19-yard run in the first quarter. The Riders cut into Ottawa’s lead early in the third quarter when Kyran Moore returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown, Saskatchewan’s second of the day on special teams. After Ottawa conceded a safety, the Riders trailed 20-18 heading into the fourth quarter. Both teams are back in action on Saturday. Ottawa will host the Edmonton Eskimos, while the Riders will visit the Toronto Argonauts.