Esks get a rough ride

REGINA — The Edmonton Eskimos’ playoff hopes were drowning in a sea of green Monday.

The Eskimos and losing has become as synonymous as Thanksgiving Day and football, and it was their turn to get carved up by the red-hot Saskatchewan Roughriders, winners of seven of their last eight following a 19-12 victory in front of 31,335 at Mosaic Stadium.

Not an offensive touchdown was to be seen by either side, as the Roughriders improved their second-place record to 10-5.

But it’s becoming a trend for the Eskimos, who despite having the league’s leading passer in Mike Reilly and leagueleading receiver in Duke Williams, have now gone nine quarters, five minutes and 25 seconds since their last touchdown — a 23-yard reception in the end zone by Williams against the Ottawa RedBlacks on Sept. 22.

“Yeah, it’s been two games, hasn’t it?” said Eskimos head coach Jason Maas. “We haven’t done well enough. We’ve got to figure it out and be better. It’s going to take points down the stretch to win ball games and we’ve got to figure it out fast.”

Edmonton has now lost five of their last six games and dropped their fifth road game in a row as they fell below .500 for the first time this season. At 7-8, they are now alone if fifth place in the West Division, behind the B.C. Lions, who are 7-7 with a game in hand.