Riders keep rolling in win over Montreal
Saskatchewan’s defence injures former QB en route to beating Alouettes 37-12
REGINA (CP) — Darian Durant made his anticipated return to Saskatchewan, but he didn’t stick around to factor in the decision.
The Roughriders’ defence forced two first-half turnovers that turned into touchdowns and the home team held on for a 37-12 victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Friday.
Montreal lost its 10th consecutive game and slipped to 3-14. The Riders improved to 10-7. Should Saskatchewan defeat the visiting Edmonton Eskimos next week, the Roughriders will finish in third place in the West Division and travel to Winnipeg for a West semifinal playoff showdown with the Blue Bombers.
Durant, who played 11 seasons with the Riders, played his first game at Mosaic Stadium as a visitor.
However, the veteran quarterback left the game at halftime with an apparent leg injury and did not return.
The Riders led 7-0 on a Trent Richardson touchdown, his first of two on the night, in the first quarter. They then intercepted Durant on the ensuing possession and eventually added to their lead.
Ed Gainey’s CFL-leading 10th interception on the Montreal 35-yard line helped set up Saskatchewan’s second touchdown. Kevin Glenn tossed a two-yard TD strike to Chad Owens to put the home team up 14-0 after the opening quarter. The Riders led 17-6 at the half. A 49-yard pass-and-run for a touchdown from Caleb Holley pushed Saskatchewan’s lead to 24-6 early in the third quarter.
Matthew Shiltz, filling in for Durant at quarterback, engineered Montreal’s first touchdown drive on the next possession. He found Sam Giguere for a 10-yard score that cut into the deficit at 24-12.
But that was as close as the Alouettes would get.
Prior to his early exit, Durant completed 9-of-20 pass attempts for 126 yards and one interception.