Dan Plaster
A battle of young quarterbacks led the way for a pair of non-playoff teams at Percival Molson Stadium in Montreal. The Riders were in search of their first road win of the season as they faced an Alouette team starting a rookie Canadian quarterback, Brandon Bridge.
It looked like it was going to be a route for the Alouettes when they took the opening drive down the field and scored on a one yard plunge by Anthony Boone.
The Riders got on the scoreboard at the end of the 1st quarter when Keith Price connected with Ryan Smith for a 32 yard touchdown. The convert was no good and the Riders were down by one.
The Als ended the first half by putting it in the end zone again. Bridge to Tyrell Sutton for a 10 yard catch and the 14-6 lead at the half.
An early Rider second half turnover ended a promising opening drive. Montreal proceeded to convert on the turnover with a short Boris Bede field goal and that extended their lead to 17-6.
Brandon Bridge showed amazing elusiveness early in the fourth quarter when he scrambled out of the way of a oncoming Rider rush and went deep to B.J. Cunningham for the touchdown and a big 24-6 lead.
Brett Smith came in for Keith Price and led the Riders on a four-play 74 yard drive capped with a 40 yard pitch and catch to Ryan Smith for the touchdown. Smith then hit S.J. Haidara for the two-point conversion and the lead was cut to 24-14.
The offensive fireworks continued when Brett Smith led the Riders down the field again for a long TD drive. This time he connected with Weston Dressler from nine yards out and the Green and White trailed by just three points.
The Riders were inches away from tying or taking the lead late in the 4th quarter when it looked like Smith hit Dressler on a bomb, but after a review of the play, it was deemed incomplete.
Things looked dire when the Alouettes were driving late in the football game, but John Chick recovered a fumble and the Riders took over at their own 31 yard line. Brett Smith drove the team down the field to set up a 39 yard Tyler Crapigna field goal to tie it at 24-24 and send it to overtime.
Brett Smith hit Weston Dressler again in the end zone to open overtime, the two-point covert was missed, and it was a 30-24 lead with the Alouettes turn with the ball. The Rider defence held and for the first time since September 7th, 2014 the Green and White picked up a road victory.
This ends the season for the Riders as they finish with a 3-15 record with two of the victories coming over the Alouettes.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT Final
Saskatchewan Roughriders 6 0 0 18 6 30
Montreal Alouettes 7 7 3 7 0 24
Rider Leaders
Passing:
Brett Smith 14/19 188Yds 3TD
Receiving:
Ryan Smith 6Rec 144Yds 2TD
Rushing:
Anthony Allen 13/54
Defence:
John Chick 2 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Fumble recovery
