Darian Durant (4) during the game between the Edmonton Eskimos and the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Commonwealth stadium in Edmonton. Friday, August 26, 2016. (Photo: Johany Jutras)
It was looking like it was going to be a repeat of a week ago in Hamilton. The Riders came out of the gate had a woeful first half to find themselves down 22-3 after the first 30 minutes of football.
Mike Reilly was almost perfect in the first half with almost 200 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns to Derel Walker and Shakir Bell. The Riders didn’t hit the scoreboard till late in the first half on a Tyler Crapigna field goal.
The third quarter may have been one of the best 15 minutes of football the Riders played all year. Darian Durant had a pair of short TD runs and the Green and White outscored Edmonton 16-0.
The Riders ran out of gas in the fourth quarter with both teams exchanging TD with Ssakatchewan’s Kendial Lawrence scampering from five yards out and Mike Reilly hurdling his way to the end zone.
There were a couple of more chances late for the Green and White in the fourth, but the Eskimos were able to shut the door and seal the 33-25 victory.
Next up for the Riders is the Labour Day Classic next Sunday afternoon. It will be the first of the traditional home-and-home series with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It’s a 1pm kick-off at Mosaic Stadium.
Rider Leaders:
Passing:
Darian Durant – 27/38, 314yds
Receiving:
Naaman Roosevelt – 11/175
Rushing:
Darian Durant – 4/13, 2TDs
Defence:
Otha Foster III – 7 Tackles, 1 Sack
