As the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the Toronto Argonauts in Regina, SK, June 30, 2016 Photo Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards
It was the new look Saskatchewan Roughriders in their final season at their permanent home since 1936. The Riders hosted the Toronto Argonauts in the season opener of the Farewell Season of Mosaic Stadium.
The first quarter didn’t go according to plan as the Argos came charging out of the gate. A 57 yard Larry Taylor punt return to the Riders six-yard line was cashed in on the next play with a five-yard Andre Durie catch and run for the score.
The Argos used another big play for their next score when Ricky Ray connected with Vidal Hazelton on a 52-yard touchdown and the quick 14-0 lead.
The Riders hit the scoreboard in the 2nd quarter when an eight play, 70-yard drive was capped when Darian Durant hit John Chiles in the end zone to cut the Toronto lead to 14-7.
Another big play bolstered the Argos before the end of the half when Rider quarterback, Bryant Moniz was in for a third down gamble, fumbled and Matt Black took it the other way 32 yards for the touchdown. The Riders added a field goal before the end of the half to cut the lead to 21-10.
Both defences buckled down in the second half with the Riders allowing only 87 yards of offence and the Argos just 171. So, it ended up in an exchange of field goals with Toronto’s Liam Hajrullahu hitting three and the Riders Tyler Crapigna hitting two and missing one to make the final 30-17.
The win is the Argos first of the season and evens their record at 1-and-1 while the Riders drop to 0-and-1 to kick off the season.
Darian Durant was solid in his first game back since missing almost all of 2015 with an achilles tendon tear throwing for 315 yards and a touchdown.
Even with the loss, Durant embraced being on the field again and getting a game under his belt, “I’m glad to get that out of the way, get back into the rhythm of playing the game to feel the hits, the bumps and bruises. The biggest thing is, you can’t simulate a game, to be tired in the fourth quarter, to have to make those reads when you are tired and sore and I’m glad to have the chance to experience that again.”
Next up for the Riders are the Eskimos who hold the same 0-and-1 mark as the Riders. It’s a 2pm kick off at The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
Rider Leaders:
Passing
Darian Durant 31/48 310yds 1TD 89.76QBR
Receiving
Naaman Roosevelt 9/113
Rushing
Curtis Steele 10/61
Defence
A.C. Leonard 3 tackles 2 sacks
