RIDERS CAN STILL FINISH THIRD
VANCOUVER – Eric Rodgers caught two touchdown passes as the Calgary Stampeders downed the B.C. Lions 33-16 on Friday night in the CFL regular-season finale for both teams.
The Stampeders, who had already clinched first place in the West Division, finished the regular season with a 15-3 record and tied the league’s 54-year-old road victory total with eight, set and matched by Winnipeg in 1960 and 1961. Calgary bettered its club road-win record of seven set 65 years ago in 1949 and matched in 1995.
B.C. wound up 9-9 on the season and missed a chance to clinch third place in the West. It could now face a cross-over playoff game against an Eastern team, depending on how Saskatchewan fares against Edmonton on Saturday.
Although both the Lions and Stamps had secured playoff berths and rested key players, the game featured dazzling touchdowns as both clubs scored on long passes.
Despite the score being close in the first and second quarters, Calgary led from start to finish.
In a rare start, Calgary quarterback Drew Tate completed 14 of 20 passes for 206 yards and one touchdown with one interception.
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TORONTO – Trevor Harris threw two TD passes in his first CFL start, leading the Toronto Argonauts to an important 23-5 win over the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night.
Harris, replacing incumbent Ricky Ray (concussion), was solid in the first start of his three-year CFL career. The former Edinboro star finished 26-of-36 passing for 281 yards before an announced season-high Rogers Centre gathering of 19,687.
Ottawa came into the game ranked last overall in yards allowed (374.1 per game), passing yards (262.8) and second-last in rushing yards (126.9). Regardless, Toronto (8-10) needed to win to remain in playoff contention.
If the Montreal Alouettes beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday, they’ll finish first and Toronto will secure second in the East Division. The Argos would host the conference semifinal Nov. 16, with that winner visiting the Als the following weekend.
A Hamilton win would end Toronto’s season. And if the Ticats were victorious by eight or more points, they’d finish first ahead of Montreal.
Ottawa (2-16) capped its inaugural season with five straight losses. The Redblacks are just the third CFL club to suffer 16 losses in a season, joining the ’88 Rough Riders and ’97 Ticats.
(Canadian Press)
Let’s not forget the single most important thing about today’s game (without question). This will be the last home game for Jim Hopson, arguably the most successful President in CFL history. What the Rider organization under his leadership has accomplished is nothing short of remarkable. There was a day we prayed for a playoff appearance, he could have 4 Grey Cup rings since 2007, plus his ring as a player.This province and the city of Regina have much to thanks Mr. Hopson for. He led the Saskatchewan revolution to prominence (more than just football). Regina is getting a new stadium… Read more »
"REPEAT MESSAGE" – yesteryear 2013 Grey Cup team build and resulting CFL Championship title courtesy Mr. J. Hopson, taman just the messenger boy/lackey. Thank you once again Mr. J. Hopson.
I like the Riders in this one. I'll say 29-17 Riders. Going to be windy so back to a consistent hard running game and a tight defense and we can pull this one out. Go Riders.
Season high of 19,687 at the center of the universe. I just can't figure out the people that live there and the ones marketing that team
have you been there?
Tird place on de line. Get out your ya yas and cheer are boyses to victory. Go Riders go!
Yes,I have been to the center of the universe and it is Regina.
Eskimos bring out the brooms for the sweep of the cellar dweller Riders
"Plus his ring as a player"Hopson never won a Grey Cup ring as a player. How did Hopson make getting a new stadium possible?
Jim waved his magic wand, and "poof" stadium granted for immediate build.