The Saskatchewan Roughriders have snapped a four-game losing streak with a 16-12 win over the Montreal Alouettes, punching their ticket to the playoffs in the process. Going into the game, Saskatchewan knew a win would clinch a postseason berth thanks to a Winnipeg Blue Bombers loss Friday night to Edmonton. Down as many as eight points in the third quarter, Saskatchewan climbed back to steal the win after a missed 47-yard field goal attempt with under two minutes remaining gave the Riders life. Then it was up to quarterback Trevor Harris, who led a seven-play, 74-yard game-winning touchdown drive. Facing a 3rd-and-10 to go with a minute left, Harris threw a strike to KeeSean Johnson to convert the first down and extend the drive. Two plays later, Harris scrambled a 22-yard gain and a first down. On the ensuing play, Harris found Johnson in the endzone to seal the win and lock the Riders into the playoffs. Harris had his top three receivers – Kian Schaffer-Baker, Samuel Emilus and Johnson, all in the lineup as a group for the first time since July 23. Of Harris’ 251 passing yards, 180 were caught by either Schaffer-Baker, Emilus or Johnson. This happening with an Alouettes offence which was without starting quarterback Davis Alexander along with star receivers Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead – who were all resting for the game with Montreal having already locked up first place in the East. Back-up Dustin Crum got the call for Montreal under centre. The fourth-year pivot threw for 173 yards on 19 completions, but added another 35 with his legs on six rushes. Crum targeted receivers Alexander Hollins and former Rider Jerreth Sterns most often. The two receivers combined for nine catches, 104 yards and one touchdown – the biggest play being a 37-yard touchdown catch by Hollins, the only major scored by either team. Saskatchewan’s defence allowed rookie rusher Shomari Lawrence to run for over 100 yards – his first ever 100-yard plus rushing game of his CFL career. Having now clinched a playoff position, what is left to be decided in the regular season finale is which division semi-final the Riders will play in. Should Saskatchewan finish third in the West, they will head to B.C. to play the Lions. A fourth-place finish sends them to Toronto to meet the Argonauts. The Riders conclude their regular season next week at home against the Edmonton Elks.
