CALGARY — The Saskatchewan Roughriders recovered their offence in a 29-24 win over the host Calgary Stampeders on Saturday.
The Roughriders had been shut out 31-0 by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in their previous game.
Saskatchewan (11-6) has a playoff berth locked down, but whether it will be at home or away has yet to be determined. The Roughriders have a game remaining in the regular season against the B.C. Lions.
The Stampeders (12-4) have lost two in a row and need to win one of their remaining two games to clinch first in the West Division.
Winnipeg and B.C. are tied for third in the division at 9-7 heading into Week 20, ahead of the Edmonton Eskimos at 8-9.
A West Division team will cross over and claim an East Division playoff spot this season.
The Stampeders conclude the regular season on the road in Winnipeg on Friday and in Vancouver on Nov. 3 against the Lions.
The Roughriders take the season series against Calgary 2-1 and could overtake the Stampeders atop the division. But Saskatchewan needs to win its last game and for the Stamps to lose out.
Tre Mason and Nick Marshall scored rushing touchdown for the Roughriders. Brett Lauther kicked field goals from 50, 49, 31, 27 and 20 yards.
Calgary’s Romar Morris returned a punt for a touchdown. Lemar Durant and Markeith Ambles each had touchdown catches for the Stampeders.
Don Jackson added a two-point convert and Rene Paredes kicked a 25-yard field goal in front of an announced announced 30,868 at McMahon Stadium.
The Roughriders were minus CFL sack leader Charleston Hughes, who was pulled from Saturday’s game by the team after he was charged with impaired driving and failure to provide a sample for breath analysis.
Saskatchewan quarterback Zach Collaros completed 24 of 35 pass attempts for 352 yards. He had been pulled in the third quarter against Winnipeg.
Calgary starter Bo Levi Mitchell went 18-for-25 for 221 yards and a pair of touchdown throws. He was intercepted once.
A two-point convert that would have pulled Calgary within a field goal was challenged and overturned late in the fourth quarter.
It was ruled that Ambles didn’t cross the line. Ambles had caught a 13-yard pass from Mitchell to score.
Saskatchewan led 28-18 at 4:08 of the fourth when Marshall capped an 11-play drive with a one-yard plunge for a touchdown.
Roughrider safety Mike Edem intercepted Mitchell throwing to Eric Rogers in the end zone late in the third quarter for a Calgary turnover.
Lauther’s fifth field goal of the game — a 20-yarder — gave Saskatchewan a 22-18 lead at 10:14.
The Stampeders produced their first offensive touchdown of the game early in the second half when Mitchell threw to Durant in the end zone’s corner.
An initial two-point convert failed, but the hosts were given a do-over because of Saskatchewan’s offside penalty. Don Jackson’s two-yard carry on the second attempt had Calgary trailing 19-18.
The ‘Riders led 19-10 at halftime on a 31-yard field goal from Lauther on the last play of the quarter. He was good from 38 yards at 12:38.
Back to back sacks by Calgary’s Ja’Gared Davis and Micah Johnson limited Saskatchewan to a 27-yarder from Lauther to start the quarter.
A 25-yard field goal by Paredes pulled the Stampeders even at 10-10 late in the opening quarter.
Saskatchewan returner Cameron Marshall ran the ball to the Stampeders’ 47-yard line after Calgary’s first touchdown. The visitors capped a four-play drive with Mason’s four-yard carry to score at 8:11.
Morris scored on a 78-yard punt return at 4:55 for a 7-3 Calgary lead. Lauther kicked a 50-yard field goal on Saskatchewan’s opening drive.
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