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Defensive end Ricky Foley and defensive back Dwight Anderson celebrate during the Riders' 31-10 win over Hamilton to start the season. (Photo: Saskatchewan Roughriders)

It was billed as a Grey Cup rematch and the end result was pretty similar as Saskatchewan Roughrider fans left Mosaic Stadium happy on Sunday night.

The Riders opened the regular season the same way they ended last season, by laying a beating on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on the Taylor Field turf, knocking them off 31-10 in front of 19,285 rain soaked fans.

“We did a good of finishing and a good of winning a football game,” said head coach Corey Chamblin after the win.  “We have a new group of guys and I'm pleased with the way that they played.”

There were plenty of changes on both sides of the ball since the Grey Cup for both teams, but just like on that November night, the Riders took control early and never looked back.

They led 12-0 after the first and 24-1 at halftime.  Hamilton didn't find the end zone until midway through the fourth quarter when it was already 31-3 for Saskatchewan.

“We got some drives together early and got some points on the board,” said quarterback Darian Durant.  “We did a great job of developing a cushion and our defence did a great job.  Give them a lead and they can tee off on the opposing team.”

That's exactly what the Riders' offence did.  They built up that early lead thanks to two first half touchdowns from running back Anthony Allen and that allowed the defence to go to work.

They made life miserable for quarterback Zach Collaros, who was making his Ti-Cats regular season debut, eventually sacking him ten times in the win.  Ricky Foley led the charge on defence with six tackles and three sacks to set the tone for the rest of the season.

“This feels awesome, it couldn't really feel any better than it does right now,” Foley exclaimed after the game in a celebratory Riders locker room.  “We've got a good group up front, we were good last year, but we feel like we're more comfortable this year – me, Tearrius George and John Chick – and the young guys have came in and fit in real well.”

The sack party was on right from Hamilton's first possession of the game.  Already down 3-0 after a 35-yard Chris Milo field goal, the Ti-Cats' first drive ended when Derek Walker threw Collaros to the ground.

Walker and Chick each had two sacks, while George, Brian Peters and Sam Hurl each added singles to go with Foley's three.

The defence held Hamilton to just 201 total yards in the game, while the Riders offence with all its changes clicked through the air and especially along the ground for 300 yards in the win.

Anthony Allen made a big opening statement in his debut at running back, scoring on a two-yard pass from Durant in the first quarter and jumping over the line for a one-yard score to start the second quarter.

He finished the game with 27 carries for 158 yards rushing to go along with three catches for 18 yards.

“It felt great,” said Allen.  “I was anxious going into it, kind of excited, but once we got out there, it was time to play some football.

“Those holes were so huge, it was like Moses parting the Red Sea.”

With rain pouring down throughout the day leading up to the game and then throughout the game, Allen said he knew his play was going to be a key to the win when he arrived at the stadium.

“I knew we were going to run the ball more, but I didn't expect it that much.  I'll take whatever they're going to give me,” said Allen.  “I'm excited right now and looking forward to celebrating with some of my teammates and then getting back to work.”

Much like Kory Sheets last season, Allen said after the game that he has some plans in place to reward his offensive line after the big opening day.

Allen's second quarter fumble was the lone low light for the back in his first CFL game and it was one of the few miscues for the Riders in the game.

Durant had one interception on the first play of the fourth quarter, but it was otherwise an easy day for the Riders' veteran pivot.  He made it look easy in the rain and wind, completing 15-of-22 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

His ten-yard strike to Brett Swain on the Riders' first drive of the second half put the game away at 31-1 at that point.

“It's been a long time coming, I've been anxious and chomping at the bit a little to get out there and play a full game,” said Durant.  “The elements were bad, but I still had fun.”

The Riders will be hoping to keep the good vibes going into Week 2 as they have a quick turnaround before heading East to Toronto to face Argonauts on Saturday.  They return to the practice field on Wednesday.