Saskatchewan Roughriders 13 Toronto Argonauts 9 (October 20, 2006)
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0 commentsA solid performance by the Saskatchewan Roughriders defence made Andy Fantuz's first-half touchdown catch stand as the Roughriders edged the Toronto Argonauts 13-9 on Friday night.
Fantuz, a rookie from Chatham, Ont., hauled in Kerry Joseph's 12-yard TD strike in the second in helping stake Saskatchewan to a 10-0 lead. That was more than enough cushion for a Roughriders defence that allowed just two field goals - the other points came on a safety - and applied constant pressure throughout on Argos quarterback Damon Allen, who never seemed in sync with his receivers.
Defence was also the name of the game for the Argos, whose unit was as solid as Saskatchewan's. In fact, Toronto's best scoring play came in the first on Byron Parker's eighth interception of the season. Only a saving tackle by running back Kenton Keith prevented Parker from returning it for his record-tying fifth TD of the year.
In the third quarter, linebacker Mike O'Shea, the 14-year CFL veteran from North Bay, Ont., registered his 1,000th career tackle. The 36-year-old became the first Canadian to reach that plateau and third player overall, joining Willie Pless (1,241) and Alondra Johnson (1,084).
The announcement of O'Shea's milestone was made over the Rogers Centre public address system, and the 30,323 spectators gave the six-foot-two, 235-pound linebacker a warm ovation. A video tribute to O'Shea also played on the big screen while play continued.
Toronto appeared poised to score a touchdown with under three minutes remaining, driving to the Saskatchewan 29. But after Arland Bruce III couldn't break coverage to get Allen's pass deep in Riders' territory, Noel Prefontaine missed a 36-yard field goal that went for a single at 12:30, cutting the visitors' lead to 13-9.
Toronto got the ball back with under two minutes remaining but the drive stalled at the Saskatchewan 54 with 1:01 remaining.
Prefontaine played despite straining the ligaments in his right leg, which is his plant leg, last week. He handled punting duties and made two field goals, but hit the uprights on a 17-yard attempt as well as from 36 yards out in the fourth.
The win had no bearing on Saskatchewan's playoff aspirations. The Riders (9-8) have clinched third in the West Division and will be in Calgary on Nov. 5 for the conference semifinal.
Toronto (10-7) suffered its first loss in four home games and three games overall. That means the Argos will have to beat Montreal in their regular-season finale next week to cement first place in the East, and earn home field for the conference final.
Luca Congi booted two field goals and added a convert for Saskatchewan.
Fantuz and a costly contacting the kicker penalty against Toronto helped stake Saskatchewan to a 13-0 half-time lead.
After Fantuz's touchdown, the Argos forced Saskatchewan to punt but Orlondo Steinauer was flagged for contacting Congi. That put the Riders on the Toronto 35-yard line and set up a 30-yard Congi field goal at 14:23.
The Argos struggled against Saskatchewan's defence, mustering just three first downs and 48 total yards.
NOTES: Toronto came into the game having set a league record for interception return yards with 888 . . . Saskatchewan came in as the CFL's least penalized team . . . Roughriders offensive lineman Gene Makowsky appeared in his 157th straight game. He hasn't missed a contest since 1998.
Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER
- SSK -- L. CONGI Field Goal (30 yds) - Field Goal (14:32)
SECOND QUARTER
- SSK -- K. JOSEPH Completed Pass to A. FANTUZ (12 yds) - Touchdown (6:22)
- SSK -- L. CONGI Convert - Convert(1) (6:38)
- SSK -- L. CONGI Field Goal (30 yds) - Field Goal (14:23)
THIRD QUARTER
- TOR -- N. PREFONTAINE Field Goal (47 yds) - Field Goal (1:06)
- TOR -- L. CONGI Team Loss (11 yds) - Safety Touch (Conceded) (2:30)
- TOR -- N. PREFONTAINE Field Goal (37 yds) - Field Goal (8:17)
FOURTH QUARTER
- TOR -- N. PREFONTAINE Missed Field Goal (36 yds) - Single (12:30)
courtesy cfl.ca
Date
October 20, 2006
