Rob Bagg performs more magic in Ottawa

OTTAWA The highlight reel isn’t a big deal to Rob Bagg.

The veteran Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver responded in succinct fashion when it was pointed out that he had made a spectacular fourth-quarter catch in each of his team’s last two CFL road games against the Ottawa Redblacks.

“I guess I just had the ball thrown to me deep,” Bagg said Sunday after the Roughriders held a walkthrough on Parliament Hill.

On Oct. 7, 2016, Darian Durant found Bagg for a 27-yard touchdown with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter to help the Roughriders assume a 29-22 lead over the host Redblacks. Ottawa answered with a late major, forcing overtime, but Saskatchewan won 32-30 to improve its record to 4-10.

On Friday, Bagg caught an underthrown pass from Kevin Glenn — snaring the ball just as it was about to hit the rain-soaked turf — for a 30-yard gain with 6:18 remaining at TD Place.

The catch, which Bagg made at the eight-yard line, set up a Tyler Crapigna field goal that created a 17-17 tie. Saskatchewan went on to win 18-17 and emerged with a winning record (7-6).

“It’s certainly energizing to be in the last third of the season and the playoffs are still well within reach,” said Bagg, who played for Roughriders teams that went 3-15 (in 2015) and 5-13 (2016).

“After the last two years, even if I threw out the record, if we were in the East Division and we were in first place at 6-7, I’d be excited about that opportunity, too. It’s all about making the playoffs and trying to position yourself as best as you possibly can.”

The Riders return to action Saturday when they play the Argos in Toronto.