Dan Plaster
A lot of Rider fans braved early wet and cold conditions hoping that they would see the Green and White win their first game of the season. It would be a difficult assignment facing the defending Grey Cup champ, Calgary Stampeders.
The first quarter ended with the Stampeders holding on to the 4-0 lead, but on the first play of the second quarter, Brett Smith completed a 24 yard pass to Devin Wilson for his first CFL touchdown, the convert was missed and the Riders held the 6-4 lead.
Calgary replied on the next series when Bo Levi Mitchell hit Tory Harrison for a six yard score and the two-point conversion was picked by Marshay Green and the Stampeders had the 10-6 edge.
After a Paul McCallum field goal made it a one point game, Ray Early missed a 65 yard field goal attempt and on the ensuing return, Tim Brown was clotheslined by Rider offensive lineman Randy Richards. That ended up in a 25 yard rough play and disqualification. The next play, Mitchell hit Eric Rogers on the end zone prayer on the final play of the half, tack on the two-point conversion and Calgary held the 18-9 halftime lead.
The third quarter was a big one for Saskatchewan, Brett Smith had touchdown passes to Alex Carroll and Weston Dressler, the second helped by a 72 yard reception by Nic Demski all a part of Saskatchewan evening up things with Calgary 24-24 .
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Mitchell connected with Tory Harrison on a 32 yard score to push the Stampeders back up seven points.
With the score 34-25, Carl Fitzgerald blocked a Rod Maver punt, Junior Mertile scooped up the ball and took it to the house, but the convert was missed and the Riders trailed by three late in the game.
A 12 play drive at the end of the fourth quarter killed the clock and Calgary came out with the 34-31 victory.
Brett Smith was the first Rider quarterback to throw for three touchdowns this season while Devin Wilson and Alex Carroll picked up their first CFL touchdowns.
Saskatchewan will now hit the road next week to Ottawa for a Sunday afternoon affair. It’s a 4pm Saskatchewan time kick-off.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th TOT
Calgary 4 14 6 10 34
Saskatchewan 0 9 15 7 31
Rider leaders:
Passing
Brett Smith 13-24 178YDS 3TD 1INT
Receiving
Weston Dressler 6REC 34YDS 1TD
Rushing
Jerome Messam 10CAR 75YDS
