Stampeders fall to Roughriders ó again
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have a redemption opportunity.
The Calgary Stampeders have to wonder why they canít beat Gang Green when it matters.
For the fourth time in five seasons, the Riders have eliminated the Stamps from the post-season, this time with a 20-16 win at McMahon Stadium in the West final.
The Riders, who lost last yearís Grey Cup at McMahon on the infamous 13th man penalty, get to play the Montreal Alouettes against next Sunday in Edmonton.
The Stamps got close to getting the lead in the fourth quarter when Burke Dales sent a booming punt to Riders returner Ryan Grice-Mullen.
He bobbled it and the ball ping-ponged off a couple of players, including Wes Lysackís foot, before Jerrell Freeman fell on it in the endzone and saved the touchdown.
The key turning point came in the third quarter. Stamps defensive end Justin Phillips pulled the ball loose from Wes Cates and recovered it, but the Riders challenged the call.
After a long review, it was overturned. The Riders kept the ball and drove down the field for a Cates four-yard touchdown run.
That put the Riders up by six (after a third Burke Dales single) heading into the final minutes.
Discipline again cost the Stamps, as Romby Bryant was flagged with objectionable conduct after getting a 36-yard gain.
The Riders grabbed momentum just before halftime.
After a long scoring drive, capped by a six-yard touchdown reception by Chris Getzlaf, the Riders defence came up with a big play.
With pressure in his face, Burris threw a screen pass to Romby Bryant, but James Patrick stepped in front of it and returned it 50 yards into scoring territory.
Durant then hit Cary Koch, who made a beautiful grab behind the coverage of Brandon Smith, and the Riders led 14-11 at halftime.
Penalties plagued the Stamps in the first half. Burris took an intentional grounding penalty, Brandon Browner knocked down Weston Dressler on a crossing route and Dwight Anderson took objectionable conduct on the touchdown pass.
The Stamps jumped out to a 11-0 lead thanks to a punt single by Burke Dales, a long drive for a field goal and a major off a turnover.
Malik Jackson jumped in front of a pass intended for Getzlaf and took it down to the Ridersí 25-yard line.
Arjei Franklin caught a 25-yard touchdown pass to get the Stamps on the board.
Categories