THE CANADIAN PRESS
Thrilling Finale: Riders storm back for OT win over Als
Posted: November 8,2015 04:00PM
Updated: November 8,2015 04:56PM
CFL.ca Staff
#CFLGameDay
MONTREAL -- A rough season came to an end on a high note for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Brett Smith was solid in relief of starter Keith Price, completing 14 of his 18 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns, as the Roughriders stormed back to defeat the Montreal Alouettes 30-24 in overtime on Sunday afternoon.
In what was the 2015 regular season finale, the Als handed the ball to Canadian QB Brandon Bridge, was became the 15th Canadian to start a game at QB in the history of the CFL.
The game also saw Alouettes tailback Tyrell Sutton claim the league's rushing title. The fourth-year Alouette registered 132 yards on 19 carries, giving him 1,053 on the season.
It didn’t take long for Bridge to make his mark on the afternoon, as he guided the Alouettes on an 11-play, 95-yard drive that was capped off by a one-yard leap into the endzone by backup pivot Anthony Boone.
On the drive, Bridge showed off many facets to his game that have allowed him to be successful to this point in his career.
After completing his first attempt of the game to fellow 2015 Draft pick Alex Charette, Bridge took off for an impressive 22-yard scamper to give the Als a fresh set of downs.
He then proceeded to march downfield, using both the air and ground game to his advantage.
Aided by an 18-yard run by Sutton and a seven-yard completion to another 2015 Draft pick, Mikhail Davidson, Bridge set the Als up inside Saskatchewan territory with his eyes on the endzone.
Facing second-and-13 after being sacked by Riders rush end John Chick, Bridge heaved a deep ball to Charette in the endzone, only to see the ball fall incomplete. However, a pass interference call on Riders DB Marshay Green gave the Als new life and another shot at finding the endzone.
Two plays later, Boone leaped into the endzone to put the Als up by a touchdown.
With the first quarter winding down, the Roughriders embarked on a scoring drive of their own.
Price, who entered today’s matchup with just 35 career pass attempts under his belt, completed passes to Seydou Junior Haidara, Stephen Houston and a pair to Ryan Smith, the second of which being a 32-yard endzone strike.
However, kicker Tyler Crapigna missed the extra point, allowing the Alouettes to hold onto the lead.
The majority of the second quarter saw both offences stumble while trying to find their respective footings. But with just over a minute to go in the first half, Bridge woke up from his brief slumber to lead the Als on yet another drive that would ultimately result in six points.
Highlighted by a 41-yard strike to receiver Cody Hoffman, Bridge led the Als on a six-play, 82-yard drive that saw him throw his first career CFL touchdown pass, a 10-yard dump pass to Sutton to give the Als a 14-6 lead at the half.
The rookie pivot was solid in the first half, completing 14 of his 18 passes for 116 yards and a TD pass.
His counterpart was also good, though not as spectacular. Price was good on seven of his 11 attempts for 102 yards and a major of his own.
The first half also saw Alouettes veteran defensive end John Bowman join the record books, registering his 100th career sack. Bowman now sits alone at 10th on the CFL’s all-time sacks list.
Bowman registered another sack in the half, giving him 18 on the season, good enough for the league sack title.
When the second half got underway, Bridge continued to show Als fans watching flashes of what may be in store in the coming years. The South Alabama product completed his first four passes, including gains of 25 and 16 to BJ Cunningham and Charette respectively. However, the drive would eventually stall, forcing Montreal to settle for a 15-yard field goal by kicker Boris Bede.
Following a relatively quiet fourth quarter, Bridge kicked off the final quarter of the 2015 regular season with an absolute bang. On first down, Bridge avoided being sacked, rolled out to his right and heaved a deep bomb to Cunningham in the endzone, who leapt up and hauled in the pass for the touchdown.
The score was Cunningham's fourth of the season and third in the last two weeks.
But the Riders wouldn't go down without a fight. With QB Brett Smith now in under centre in place of Price, the 23-year-old passer hooked up with Ryan Smith for a 40-yard TD. Haidara would tack on the two-point conversion to bring the Riders within 10 of Montreal's lead.
Then, with 5:41 to go in the game, Smith found slotback Weston Dressler for a nine-yard TD, cutting Montreal's lead to just a field goal. The catch was Dressler's first of the afternoon.
Smith would then lead the Riders on a last-minute drive that ended with Crapigna connecting on a clutch 39-yard field goal to tie the game with eight seconds left, sending the game to overtime.
In OT, Smith found Dressler in the endzone for six points to give the Riders a 30-24 lead. They would miss the ensuing mandatory two-point conversion, giving the Alouettes a chance to drive for the win. However, Bridge was unable to find the endzone, giving the Riders their third win of the year.
The off-season will be an interesting one for both teams. In Montreal, the Als head into the long break, missing the post-season for the first time since returning to the CFL in 1996. The Alouettes will need to make important personnel decisions both on and off the field.
The Riders, meanwhile, will embark on an off-season looking to rebuild following a tumultuous season. Will Bob Dyce remain on the sidelines as head coach? Will Darian Durant return to the lineup with a clean bill of health?
While plenty remains unclear, one thing is certain for both teams: The 2016 off-season will be a busy one.
#CFLGameDay
MONTREAL -- A rough season came to an end on a high note for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Brett Smith was solid in relief of starter Keith Price, completing 14 of his 18 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns, as the Roughriders stormed back to defeat the Montreal Alouettes 30-24 in overtime on Sunday afternoon.
In what was the 2015 regular season finale, the Als handed the ball to Canadian QB Brandon Bridge, was became the 15th Canadian to start a game at QB in the history of the CFL.
The game also saw Alouettes tailback Tyrell Sutton claim the league's rushing title. The fourth-year Alouette registered 132 yards on 19 carries, giving him 1,053 on the season.
It didn’t take long for Bridge to make his mark on the afternoon, as he guided the Alouettes on an 11-play, 95-yard drive that was capped off by a one-yard leap into the endzone by backup pivot Anthony Boone.
On the drive, Bridge showed off many facets to his game that have allowed him to be successful to this point in his career.
After completing his first attempt of the game to fellow 2015 Draft pick Alex Charette, Bridge took off for an impressive 22-yard scamper to give the Als a fresh set of downs.
He then proceeded to march downfield, using both the air and ground game to his advantage.
Aided by an 18-yard run by Sutton and a seven-yard completion to another 2015 Draft pick, Mikhail Davidson, Bridge set the Als up inside Saskatchewan territory with his eyes on the endzone.
Facing second-and-13 after being sacked by Riders rush end John Chick, Bridge heaved a deep ball to Charette in the endzone, only to see the ball fall incomplete. However, a pass interference call on Riders DB Marshay Green gave the Als new life and another shot at finding the endzone.
Two plays later, Boone leaped into the endzone to put the Als up by a touchdown.
With the first quarter winding down, the Roughriders embarked on a scoring drive of their own.
Price, who entered today’s matchup with just 35 career pass attempts under his belt, completed passes to Seydou Junior Haidara, Stephen Houston and a pair to Ryan Smith, the second of which being a 32-yard endzone strike.
However, kicker Tyler Crapigna missed the extra point, allowing the Alouettes to hold onto the lead.
The majority of the second quarter saw both offences stumble while trying to find their respective footings. But with just over a minute to go in the first half, Bridge woke up from his brief slumber to lead the Als on yet another drive that would ultimately result in six points.
Highlighted by a 41-yard strike to receiver Cody Hoffman, Bridge led the Als on a six-play, 82-yard drive that saw him throw his first career CFL touchdown pass, a 10-yard dump pass to Sutton to give the Als a 14-6 lead at the half.
The rookie pivot was solid in the first half, completing 14 of his 18 passes for 116 yards and a TD pass.
His counterpart was also good, though not as spectacular. Price was good on seven of his 11 attempts for 102 yards and a major of his own.
The first half also saw Alouettes veteran defensive end John Bowman join the record books, registering his 100th career sack. Bowman now sits alone at 10th on the CFL’s all-time sacks list.
Bowman registered another sack in the half, giving him 18 on the season, good enough for the league sack title.
When the second half got underway, Bridge continued to show Als fans watching flashes of what may be in store in the coming years. The South Alabama product completed his first four passes, including gains of 25 and 16 to BJ Cunningham and Charette respectively. However, the drive would eventually stall, forcing Montreal to settle for a 15-yard field goal by kicker Boris Bede.
Following a relatively quiet fourth quarter, Bridge kicked off the final quarter of the 2015 regular season with an absolute bang. On first down, Bridge avoided being sacked, rolled out to his right and heaved a deep bomb to Cunningham in the endzone, who leapt up and hauled in the pass for the touchdown.
The score was Cunningham's fourth of the season and third in the last two weeks.
But the Riders wouldn't go down without a fight. With QB Brett Smith now in under centre in place of Price, the 23-year-old passer hooked up with Ryan Smith for a 40-yard TD. Haidara would tack on the two-point conversion to bring the Riders within 10 of Montreal's lead.
Then, with 5:41 to go in the game, Smith found slotback Weston Dressler for a nine-yard TD, cutting Montreal's lead to just a field goal. The catch was Dressler's first of the afternoon.
Smith would then lead the Riders on a last-minute drive that ended with Crapigna connecting on a clutch 39-yard field goal to tie the game with eight seconds left, sending the game to overtime.
In OT, Smith found Dressler in the endzone for six points to give the Riders a 30-24 lead. They would miss the ensuing mandatory two-point conversion, giving the Alouettes a chance to drive for the win. However, Bridge was unable to find the endzone, giving the Riders their third win of the year.
The off-season will be an interesting one for both teams. In Montreal, the Als head into the long break, missing the post-season for the first time since returning to the CFL in 1996. The Alouettes will need to make important personnel decisions both on and off the field.
The Riders, meanwhile, will embark on an off-season looking to rebuild following a tumultuous season. Will Bob Dyce remain on the sidelines as head coach? Will Darian Durant return to the lineup with a clean bill of health?
While plenty remains unclear, one thing is certain for both teams: The 2016 off-season will be a busy one.
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