The Riders losing skid has now reached four games following a 17-12 loss to the Montreal Alouettes.
The story line was basically the same we've seen during the previous three losses, the offence was unable to get things rolling and wasted early opportunities again, as the defence played well.
The game got off to a very sluggish start as Saskatchewan would open the scoring in the first quarter with a rouge, the Alouettes would respond in kind making it 1-1. The Green and White would gain the lead again a little later after Montreal conceded a safety in the end zone, making it 3-1 Riders.
For the third straight week the offence was unable to take advantage of opportunities given to them, as they did have a first and goal from the three yard line, but came away empty handed. Later in the half the Riders were again deep in Montreal territory but Darian Durant would be intercepted in the end zone.
It would stay that way until late in the second quarter when Alouettes kicker Sean Whyte gave Montreal a 4-3 lead at half-time.
The pattern continued in the third quarter as the Riders would again tie the game when Ricky Schmitt booted another ball into the end zone.
Late in the third quarter something would finally happen as the Alouettes would get the first touchdown of the game after Schmitt had his punt go straight out of bounds as Montreal got to start the drive near mid-field. Josh Neiswander would eventually hit Duron Carter to take a 11-4 lead. On the next drive the Riders would respond in kind as Darian Durant put together his only touchdown drive of the game ending in the hands of Weston Dressler as the game would be tied at 11 early in the fourth. Right after the Alouettes would respond with a field goal, re-gaining the lead at 14-11.
That would be all of the offence Montreal would need, as the Riders would only add a rouge after making it 14-12. The Alouettes would add another field goal late to make it 17-12 Montreal.
In the games final minutes the defence would force a big two and out, giving the Riders the ball with about a minute and a half to play. The drive would stay alive thanks to a roughing the passer call on third down, but on script the offence again failed to take advantage as Durant would be intercepted in the end zone once again, sealing victory for the Montreal Alouettes.
Durant finished the game 24-for-46, 339 yards and a touchdown, he was also picked off two times. Chris Getzlaf was the leading receiver with six catches for 124 yards. The Riders only mustered up 15 rushing yards. Defensively, Mike McCullough led the team with six tackles, Terrell Maze did force a fumble that was recovered by Eddie Russ.
The Riders are now 8-5 on the season, alone in third place in the west. Up next is the B.C. Lions on Friday night in Vancouver.
