Game Summary

The first place Edmonton Eskimos played host this week to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in front of a season high, 30,917 fans. Saskatchewan came out of the gates early when QB Reggie Slack found FB Chris Szarka in the end zone for a 1-yard TD reception. In a surprise move QB Kevin Mason, came in for the 2 point conversion that was successful as LB Lamar McGriggs hauled in the pass to make the score 8-0 Saskatchewan 6:34 into the game. Saskatchewan added to their lead when K Paul McCallum’s FG was good from 33 yards. Edmonton QB Danny McManus rallied his team, however, and with under a minute left in the quarter FB Tony Burse busted in from the 1-yard line to cut the lead down to four after K Sean Fleming’s convert was good. In the second quarter Edmonton took the lead when LB Willie Pless scored his second TD in as many games on a 1-yard run. Fleming was good for the convert. Saskatchewan tied the game at 12:12 of the quarter when McCallum’s 12‐yard FG split the uprights. McCallum also scored minutes later when he struck a moon-shot from 49 yards to give the ’Riders a 17-14 lead going into the dressing room at the half. In the third quarter, Fleming’s 28-yard FG at 8:03 tied the score for the second time in the match. QB Kevin Mason, who had replaced Slack at half-time threw a 28-yard strike to SB Rod Harris at 11:53 to give the ’Riders the lead once again. McCallum hit the extra point. Edmonton cut into that lead just 34 seconds into the fourth quarter when Fleming nailed a 27-yard FG to bring the Esks within four. Saskatchewan padded their lead back to seven, when McCallum’s 42 FG was good. McManus threw his first TD pass of the game, an 11-yard bullet, at 11:41 of the fourth quarter to SB Eddie Brown to put the home team out in front for the first time of the evening. Fleming’s convert made the score 34‐27. Edmonton increased their lead at 14:28 as Fleming was good in his FG attempt of 20-yards. A late rally by Saskatchewan that included a 14-yard TD pass to SB Rod Harris by Mason was not enough. Edmonton hung-on for a thrilling 37-34 victory, much to the delight of Eskimo faithful at Commonwealth Stadium. The win strengthens the Eskimo hold on first place in the Western Division.