Riders Logo

It seems as though the video has been on repeat for the Saskatchewan Roughriders over the past four games.

Their offence was ineffective again on Sunday afternoon in Montreal as the Green and White dropped their fourth straight game, falling 17-12 to the Alouettes at Percival Molson Stadium.

Both teams struggled to get going early in the game as they traded rouges in the first quarter. 

The big possession of the first half came late in the first quarter when Darian Durant connected with Chris Getzlaf for a 72-yard catch and run, but he was tripped up at the Montreal three-yard line. Three straight runs resulted in two yards for the Riders and they turned the ball over on a goal line stand by the Alouettes.

Saskatchewan did hold Montreal at the goal line and picked up two points when they conceded a safety to go up 3-1.

A 32-yard field goal by Sean Whyte at the end of the second quarter gave the Alouettes a 4-3 lead at halftime.

The Riders started to move the ball a bit in the third quarter, but couldn’t get into scoring position and that would come back to bite them as late in the frame, Josh Neiswander found Duron Carter on a bubble screen that he took 45 yards to the end zone to put the Alouettes in front 11-4.

After Montreal couldn’t capitalize on a Durant interception, the Riders made them pay, quickly moving down field.  Durant ended the drive with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Weston Dressler to tie the game at 11-11.

A 40-yard field goal by Whyte on Montreal’s next possession put them back in front for good.  Whyte added another chip shot field goal to finish off the 17-12 win for the Alouettes.

The ground game was again nonexistent for the Riders in the loss as they ran the ball just nine times in the game for 15 yards.

Durant went 24-for-46 passing with 339 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.  Getzlaf was his top target, with six catches for 124 yards, while Dressler also added six catches for 92 yards in the loss.

Neiswander had a strong game for the Alouettes, going 21-of-36 for 264 yards and one touchdown.  Carter was huge all game for Montreal with six catches for 152 yards and a touchdown.

There was some history made early in the game when Geroy Simon hauled in catch number 1,018 to break the all-time record held by former Alouettes receiver Ben Cahoon.  Simon finished with three catches for 47 yards.  He will be honoured by the team prior to the next Riders home game on October 12th against Edmonton.

The Riders will have a short week as they head out to BC for a big divisional game on Friday.  The Riders will need a win to have any hope of a home playoff game as they now trail the Lions by two points for second in the West Division.