Roughriders roll past Tiger-Cats thanks to strong second half

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders scored 27 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 38-7 on Sunday and keep pace with the Edmonton Elks for first place in the CFL’s West Division. The Riders and Elks lead the West with...

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders scored 27 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 38-7 on Sunday and keep pace with the Edmonton Elks for first place in the CFL’s West Division. The Riders and Elks lead the West with 4-1 records. The loss drops the Tiger-Cats to 2-3 in the East Division.

The Riders used a key turnover six minutes into the fourth quarter to grab full control of the game. Hamilton’s Kenny Lawler caught a pass in a crossing pattern only to have Saskatchewan’s Antoine Brooks force a fumble. Riders cornerback Marcus Sayles scooped up the loose ball and scampered 41 yards down the sideline before being forced out of bounds at the Hamilton one-yard line.

Saskatchewan’s Tommy Stevens scored on a quarterback sneak on the ensuing play, giving the Riders a 24-7 lead. Kicker Alex Hale missed the point after. The Riders sealed the victory with 3:02 remaining when Josh Woods intercepted Hamilton’s Jake Dolegala at the Riders' three-yard line and returned it 107 yards for a touchdown.

Stevens scored his second touchdown of the game on a 14-yard run with 1:22 left in the fourth quarter. It came immediately after a 26-yard run by Stevens on the previous play. Saskatchewan, which led the CFL last season with 23 interceptions, have two interceptions in five games this season — both by Woods.

The game was the first for Hamilton without starting quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell who suffered a broken left ankle in a 14-13 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 5. The 36-year-old Mitchell had surgery on the ankle on July 6 and is expected to make a full recovery. It’s unknown if he will be able to return this season.

Mitchell was replaced by Dolegala as the Hamilton starter. Dolegala, who began his CFL career with the Riders, now has a record of 2-10 as a starter. Dolegala finished 17 of 30 passing for 122 yards.

He was replaced by Tre Ford for the final three minutes of the contest. The lone scoring in the third quarter came on an 18-yard touchdown catch by Saskatchewan’s Kian Schaffer-Baker. In a rather pedestrian first half, the Riders took an 11-7 lead, dominating the Tiger-Cats statistically.

The Riders topped the Tiger-Cats in first downs (14-5), net offence (191 yards-65 yards), offensive plays (33-22) and time of possession (18:22-11:38). Samuel Emilus scored the lone touchdown of the half, hauling in a 10-yard pass from Trevor Harris with 1:39 remaining to give the Riders an 11-4 lead. Hamilton responded with its biggest play of the half as Myron Mitchell took the ensuing kickoff 63 yards to the Saskatchewan 33-yard line.

Seven plays later Marc Liegghio kicked a 19-yard field with 24 seconds left in the half to narrow the gap to 11-7. Riders running back A.J. Ouellette had a strong half, gaining 69 yards on 13 carries. He finished with 83 yards on 18 carries.

UP NEXT Tiger-Cats: Host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday. Roughriders: Host the Edmonton Elks on Thursday, July 23.