The situation was definitely favourable for a Riders win, until the Eskimos connected on a 68-yard touchdown pass with a minute to play in the game.

     Against a strong breeze and pinned in their own zone, the Edmonton Eskimos escaped defeat with a 68-yard Ricky Ray touchdown pass to Maurice Mann.  The Eskimos held on for a 31-27 win.

     The Riders trailed by 11 at half-time, but rallied back to take the lead with seven minutes to play in the game.  The lead was short-lived, though, after Ray found a wide-open Mann for the major score.

     Ray completed his first 20 passes, which was a streak that finally ended in the 3rd quarter of the game. 

     The Riders, the Eskimos, and Calgary Stampeders are all tied for 1st place in the West Division with a record of 6-5.

     The Riders return to Edmonton next weekend for a rematch.