Mitchell Blair
A football game is 60 minutes long. For 58 minutes, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes played a contest that was definitely not classic material, but it was a finish to remember as the green and white prevailed 24-21 thanks to the right foot of Christopher Milo.
Milo put a 36 yarder through the uprights for the winning points to cap off what was a chaotic and stomach-churning final two minutes for the 40-thousand plus that turned out at Mosaic Stadium for the contest. For Milo, it was his first ever game-winner.
“In 12 years of football, that’s the first one I’ve ever had,” Milo said. “I won’t lie to you, my heart was pounding but I just had to stay calm and collected and believe in my swing. I was happy to put it through.”
It looked as if Milo wouldn’t even have a chance at being the hero when with two minutes left, quarterback Darian Durant fumbled when he was hit from behind resulting in Alouettes defensive back Jerald Brown scooping up the ball and running 59 yards for a touchdown to give Montreal a 21-14 lead with just over a minute to go. However, the offense that had sputtered all afternoon finally came up with a big play as Durant found a wide open Smith deep down the sidelines for a 66 yard touchdown to tie the game up again. Durant felt it was a play they could capitalize on.
“It’s something I knew I could take advantage of.” Durant admitted. “We tried it earlier in the game, but Jerald Brown was in there at the time and for that play he was out. They had an inexperienced guy out there and he didn’t get over the top. I knew I could keep the halfback down low with my eyes so I put it up there and Taj did what he had to.”
It was a rough afternoon for Durant and the Rider offense as they didn’t seem to be in sync with one another, but head coach Corey Chamblin was quick to not only give his team credit for fighting through the adversity and believing.
“Teams are going to have games like this throughout the course of a year. At the end of the day, the win isn’t just on the scoreboard, but its in the dressing room. “Chamblin professed. “ It shows that we had faith in one another and we did all the way to the end, even though our play wavered throughout the game.”
Defensive back Macho Harris had an interception along with making a key knockdown in the 4th quarter that prevented a big play. He was making no apologies for the style of game that was played.
“Good teams have to win ugly games every now and then,” Harris preached. “Games like that test your character and test your faith in one another. We came through today so it’s so far, so good as far as I’m concerned. “
The win combined with a B.C. Lions victory over the Calgary Stampeders Saturday night means the Riders once again have sole possession of first place in the West with a record of 6-1. They will take to the field again next Saturday afternoon when they travel to Edmonton to take on the Eskimos in a 2 pm kickoff Saskatchewan time.
GAME NOTES:
- Milo’s last play field goal makes him a perfect 16-for-16 on the season
- Darian Durant threw a TD pass for the 16th straight game which is now the longest streak in the CFL. Anthony Calvillo had the longest streak going at 23 but it ended when he left the game in the first half due to injury
- Taj Smith has four touchdowns this season—three of them are over 60 yards in length
- The Riders defense had two interceptions on the day giving them 7 this season. That ties them with Montreal for most in the league
