It was a different Week, a different opponent but the same successful ending for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Brett Lauther’s fourth field goal of the night, a 43-yarder with no time remaining helped the Riders erase a ten-point first-half deficit and lead them to a 33-30 victory over Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-30 on Sunday night to win their second straight to start the 2024 CFL season.
The game-winner was set up by a late interception by Rider linebacker CJ Avery, which came just a few seconds after Trevor Harris found Kian Schaeffer-Baker from 10 yards out for his second touchdown of the night with 46 seconds left to help the Riders tie it up at 30-30.
Schaeffer-Baker came up big late for the Riders hauling in 109 yards on nine catches, after the team lost two from their receiving core to injury in Week One hero Shawn Bane Jr., and Week Two leading receiver Jerreth Sterns, who caught eight for 112 yards.
Another aspect that came up big in the second half was the Riders defense that held the Ti-Cats in check, especially on Hamilton running back James Butler, who rushed for only 27 yards on 12 carries on the ground and was a non-factor all night.
These two teams will play again next Sunday for the back-end of their home & home this time for the Roughriders home opener and “Salute to Canadian Armed Forces Night” at Mosaic Stadium. Fans if they aren’t heading to the game, can catch the pregame show starting at 2:00 PM on the voice of the Riders 620 CKRM, with kick-off at 5:00 PM throughout the entire Cooperators Roughrider Radio network.
KEY FACTS AFTER WEEK TWO WIN:
- Saskatchewan only team in West with 2-0 record to sit atop the division
- First Riders’ road win over East division since 2021
-First Riders’ win in Hamilton since 2018.
- First time EVER, that Saskatchewan has earned back to back road victories to start a season.
