The Canadian Press

Roughriders improve to 4-0 with 41-33 win over Alouettes

Sat Jul 19, 11:56 PM

By The Canadian Press

REGINA - Behind by two points with just over two minutes to play, Saskatchewan Roughriders' defensive tackle Jimmy Verdon swatted a Montreal Alouettes pass into the hands of teammate Lance Frazier to set up the touchdown that pulled the Riders ahead and on their way to a 41-33 victory Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium.

Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant, who started his second game for Saskatchewan in his fourth season with the team, scored on a one-yard run to put his team ahead.

Durant completed 23 of 34 passes for 353 yards and three touchdowns. He threw two interceptions.

Saskatchewan is 4-0 for the first time since 1970.

The game's first touchdown was called back after Roughriders' rookie head coach Ken Millar was successful on the first challenge of his CFL career. On the play, Durant threw a pass to Wes Cates, who was immediately hit by Alouettes defensive back Chip Cox.

The ball popped loose and Montreal's Davis Sanchez scooped up the ball and raced 64 yards to the end zone. The play was reviewed and it was ruled that Cates didn't have possession of the ball.

Cates had 15 carries for 107 yards.

Near the end of the first quarter, Alouettes' linebacker Reggie Hunt picked off a Durant pass. On the next play, Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo hit Kerry Watkins on a post pattern for a 32-yard touchdown for a 7-2 lead after Damon Duval's convert.

Calvillo completed 29 of 41 passes for 352 yards and four touchdowns.

The Riders came back by driving 71 yards to set up a field goal by Luca Congi from 16 yards out to cut the lead to 7-5.

Congi finished the game 4-for-4, with the longest from 45 yards.

Duval was good on his only field goal from 26 yards out.

With just over a minute left before half time, Durant completed a 40-yard pass to Cates. On the following play, Cates took another Durant pass for 25 yards into the end zone to put the Roughriders 15-10 at the half.

But Saskatchewan's lead wouldn't last long.

Hunt picked off a Durant pass intended for Andy Fantuz, which would eventually set up set up a 17-yard completion from Calvillo to Jamel Richardson for the major to make the score 17-15 for Montreal.

Each team would add another third-quarter touchdown to head into the fourth quarter with Montreal ahead 24-22.

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