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Back-to-back touchdowns to open the game set the tone for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in their season opener on Saturday afternoon.  They went on to beat the Eskimos 39-18 at Commonwealth Stadium to kick off the 2013 CFL season.

The offence and defence both had their struggles, but for the most part looked to be clicking early in the season.

Darian Durant and Kory Sheets only played three quarters and they did enough damage to give the Riders a comfortable win.  Durant finished the game 14-for-22 with 171 yards passing and three touchdowns.  Sheets set a career-high in rushing yards with 17 carries for 131 yards and a touchdown.

The Riders scored on their opening two drives of the game, driving the ball down the field.  They went ten plays for 74 yards on the opening drive before Sheets ran it in from 19-yards out. 

After forcing Edmonton to punt, Saskatchewan went 97 yards on 12 plays before Durant hit Taj Smith on a crossing route and he walked into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.

Smith had a team-high five catches for 43 yards.  Chris Getzlaf had a couple of big catches and finished with three catches for 67 yards and a touchdown.  Weston Dressler had 57 yards on two receptions.

The Riders punted on four straight possessions in the second quarter.  Edmonton got a single on a missed 37-yard field goal by Grant Shaw and it looked like they would go into the break with the Riders up 15-1.

That was until Mike Reilly dropped back on the final play of the first half, he threw an ill advised passed over the middle that linebacker Rey Williams picked off and returned for a touchdown to give the Riders a 22-1 lead at halftime.

The Riders picked up right where they left off in the second half, getting back-to-back touchdowns.  Durant connected with Getzlaf for a three-yard score.

On the ensuing kick-off, Moose Jaw’s Levi Steinhauer knocked the ball loose and Sam Hurl recovered.  The Riders struck quickly as Durant hit Scott McHenry for his third touchdown pass of the game, and a 36-1 lead.

The only questionable part of the Riders game came after that when Dwight Anderson picked up two objectional conduct penalties and had to be calmed down on the sideline by head coach Corey Chamblin and Durant.

Chris Milo was good on his only field goal attempt of the game, hitting from 24 yards out.

Edmonton’s only touchdown came late in the fourth quarter when Reilly found Fred Stamps in the end zone.  Stamps had a big game, finishing with five catches for 106 yards.

Keith Shologan had a big game defensively for the Riders, picking up two sacks.  Tyron Brackenridge finished with six tackles to lead the team.  Diamond Ferri had two fumble recoveries and an interception.

The Riders have won back-to-back season openers now.  They will travel back to Regina and start getting ready for the home opener on Friday against the Calgary Stampeders.