Game Summary

The Saskatchewan Roughriders opened their season at B.C. Place in Vancouver taking on the Lions. Most agree that all teams in the West Division will be very close and this match proved that point. The ’Riders got on the board first when Paul McCallum made a 47 yard field goal. The Lions tied the game before the end of the quarter on a 35-yard Lui Passaglia field goal. B.C. managed their first lead of the game at the 5:20 mark of the second as Passaglia’s 18-yard field goal split the uprights. Saskatchewan battled back a few plays later sending Robert Mimbs in from the 12 yard line for the major. McCallum kicked the convert. B.C. regained their lead at 12:59 when Damon Allen found Al Shipman open for a 29 yard passing touchdown. B.C. extended their lead before half-time capitalizing on an interception by David Maeva. Three plays later Cory Philpot scampered in from the 1-yard line to score. Passaglia’s punt put the Lions on top by 10 at the half. Saskatchewan cut the B.C. lead in the third when Curtis Mayfield got hold of a 60-yard pass from Kevin Mason and took it in for a touchdown. McCallum’s convert cut the B.C. lead to 3. Most of the second half was played scoreless with B.C. managing only 3 points. Passaglia hit a 12-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to give the Lions a slim 6-point lead. With only 24 second left on the clock, Saskatchewan QB Mason connected with Dan Farthing for a 7 yard passing TD tying the game. McCallum’s convert proved to be the winning score as the Roughriders held on for the win.