Roughriders return home at 2-0 after dramatic victory in Hamilton
06/16/2024 11:13 PM
HAMILTON — The "S" on the helmet also stands for "Suspense."
For the second consecutive week, the Saskatchewan Roughriders engineered fourth-quarter magic and a road victory — the latest being Sunday's 33-30 nailbiter against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field.
After Hamilton went ahead 30-20 with 5:32 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Roughriders responded with 13 unanswered points.
In the season opener, Saskatchewan went on a 21-0 fourth-quarter run to defeat the host Edmonton Elks 29-21.
Those two triumphs have enabled the Roughriders to begin the season with back-to-back road victories for the first time in franchise history.
Dating back to 1932, the Roughriders have begun 12 seasons with at least two games on the road.
On Sunday, Brett Lauther's 34-yard field goal at 11:20 of the fourth quarter pared Hamilton's lead to 30-23.
After a Hamilton two-and-out, Saskatchewan moved 88 yards in eight plays, the last of which was a 10-yard TD pass to Kian Schaffer-Baker — his second major of the game. Lauther's convert produced a 30-30 tie with 43 seconds left.
On the next play from scrimmage, Bo Levi Mitchell's pass was tipped by the intended receiver, Tim White, into the hands of C.J. Avery.
Avery's pick gave Saskatchewan a first down on Hamilton's 33-yard line.
Following back-to-back runs by A.J. Ouellette, Lauther settled matters with a 43-yard field goal.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR HARRIS
Harris moved up two spots, to 17th, on the CFL's all-time passing-yardage list.
He leapfrogged Tom Burgess (30,308) and Sam Etcheverry (30,381) en route to finishing the game with 30,579.
As well. Harris threw two touchdown passes to improve his career total to 165 and assume sole possession of 20th all-time in that category. Darian Durant is next in line with 164.
On Sunday, Harris completed 32 of 45 passes for 390 yards, without an interception.
A VERY CONSISTENT AVERY
Both of Avery's interceptions as a first-year Roughrider have occurred with 33 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
As a member of the Vegas Vipers in 2023, Avery recorded the first interception in the history of the revived XFL.
AJOU IS A GO
Ajou Ajou, the Roughriders' seventh-round draft choice in 2024, was activated from the practice roster for Sunday's game.
He received regular reps after Shawn Bane Jr. was injured late in the first half at Tim Hortons Field.
Ajou finished with five catches for 41 yards.
Schaffer-Baker had a team-high seven receptions for 109 yards. The multi-touchdown game was his first in a CFL career that dates back to 2021.
Jerreth Sterns added six catches for 112 yards on Sunday.
FAST FACT
The Roughriders are 2-0 while the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are 0-2 for the first time since 2012.
NEXT UP
The Roughriders' home opener is scheduled for next Sunday against Hamilton (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
SUMMARY
FIRST QUARTER
Ham — FG Liegghio 13 5:41
Mitchell hit White for 17 yards on third-and-three
Sask — TD Schaffer-Baker 24 pass from Harris (Lauther convert) 11:25
TD pass was preceded by 33-yard completion to Sterns
SECOND QUARTER
Ham — TD Dunbar 60 pass from Mitchell (Lieghhio convert) 0:21
Dunbar was wide open deep to complete two-play, 62-yard possession
Ham TD — Smith 38 pass from Mitchell (Liegghio convert) 9:28
Mitchell went 3-for-3 for 74 yards
Ham — FG Liegghio 40 13:41
Mitchell to Bridges for 23 yards set up field goal
THIRD QUARTER
Sask — FG Lauther 49 2:44
Field goal set up by completions to Sterns (11) and Ajou (11, 4)
Sask — TD Patterson 1 run (Lauther convert) 8:13
Back-to-back completions to Sterns for 23 and 19 moved ball to one-yard line
Ham — TD Bridges 16 pass from Mitchell (Liegghio convert) 13:25
58-yard pass to Smith set up Bridges' first CFL touchdown
FOURTH QUARTER
Sask — FG Lauther 46 1:44
Roughriders moved 33 yards in six plays
Ham — FG Liegghio 41 9:28
Tiger-Cats moved 18 yards in six plays, which consumed 3:38 of valuable time
Sask — FG Lauther 34 11:20
Riders moved 44 yards in seven plays
Sask — TD Schaffer-Baker 10 pass from Harris (Lauther convert) 14:17
Eight-play, 88-yard drive was ignited by 18-yard Sterns reception on second-and-17.
Sask — FG Lauther 43 15:00
Avery interception with 33 seconds left put Saskatchewan in position for game-winning field goal
