The Saskatchewan Roughriders snapped their five-game losing streak in the “Banjo Bowl” against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday with a 21-13 win.
With a 10-2 record on the year, the green and white further staked their claim that the road in the Canadian Football League (CFL) playoffs will travel through Regina this fall.
Trailing 3-0 in the second quarter, Saskatchewan got on the scoreboard with a 20-yard field goal from Brett Lauther.
Winnipeg jumped back into the lead with Ontaria Wilson hauling in a 24-yard touchdown reception in his first game as a Blue Bomber.
The teams traded field goals as Winnipeg held a 13-6 lead after the first half.
Saskatchewan scored the only points of the third quarter with a five-yard touchdown run from AJ Ouellette. Lauther’s extra point went wide as the Roughriders were down by one heading into the final quarter.
The Blue Bombers suffered a big blow to their offence when quarterback Zach Collaros left the game following a hit by CJ Reavis. A flag was thrown on the play against Reavis. Chris Streveler came in relief at quarterback.
Lauther provided all the scoring with three goals as he ended the afternoon going 4/4 on field goal attempts with his only blemish being the missed point after.
The green and white defence delivered in the second half by not allowing any points. They managed four interceptions, with Tevaughn Campbell leading the way with two. He now leads the CFL with six on the season.
Malik Carney had one sack and is now tied for second in the league with seven this year.
Riders quarterback Trevor Harris was 18/31 with 239 passing yards and an interception.
Joe Robustelli had three catches for 72 yards while Keesean Johnson had six catches for 69 yards.
Saskatchewan is now four points ahead of the Calgary Stampeders with the Roughriders winning and the Stampeders losing to Edmonton on Saturday.
The Roughriders clinched the season series against Winnipeg and are now within striking distance of clinching a home playoff game as they’re ahead of the Blue Bombers by eight points and six games remaining.
This week, Saskatchewan will host the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday.