Last minute touchdown gives Roughriders 32-25 win over Renegades

Photo: Ottawa Renegades quarterback Kerry Joseph (4) runs past Saskatchewan Roughriders' Eddie Davis during first quarter. (CP/Tobin Grinshaw)

OTTAWA, Canada - Henry Burris made sure Ottawa's comeback was for naught. Burris scored from one-yard out with 36 seconds remaining as the Saskatchewan Roughriders blew a big lead before recovering for a 32-25 win over the Ottawa Renegades on Saturday night. Burris, who also threw for a touchdown, broke a 25-25 tie with his late plunge to give Saskatchewan its fourth straight win despite blowing a 15-1 halftime lead. "The way they fought back, you have to give them credit," said Saskatchewan head coach Danny Barrett. "It was a great finish and I though it was a great game for the fans to be able to be entertained for the full 60 minutes and we're thankful for the win." The Roughriders (8-8) are now second in the West Division, two points up on the Edmonton Eskimos (7-8). "We've really matured this year, and it shows the character that this team has and you can see that were growing as a team and jelling at the right time," said Burris. The loss essentially eliminates the Renegades (5-10) from post-season contention. They're five points behind the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-7-1) for the final playoff spot in the East with just three games to play. "Mathematically we have a shot," said head coach Joe Paopao. "But now it's out of our control. We need to win at all costs." Ottawa nearly pulled this one out, with two huge returns by Jason Armstead leading to 14 fourth-quarter points as the Renegades erased an 18-8 deficit. Armstead returned a Paul McCallum punt 55 yards late in the third quarter, and on the first play of the fourth quarter Darnell Kennedy, who replaced starter Kerry Joseph who injured his clavicle in the first quarter, connected with Curtis Jackson on a 19-yard touchdown reception. On the ensuing drive for the Roughriders, McCallum was wide on a field-goal attempt and Armstead returned that 115 yards to the Saskatchewan four-yard line. Josh Ranek ran the ball in on the next play, and the convert by Holmes gave the Renegades a 22-18 lead. "There were a lot of key blocks and a lot of determination from everybody," Armstead said.

It was short lived though, as Burris hit Karsten Bailey on a 70-yard catch and run touchdown play to give the Roughriders the lead back. "We're very confident in our abilities against anybody and we just need to get that one play to break us open in the passing game," said Burris. "Earlier on we were moving the ball well passing. We caught them trying to sit on our routes." Renegades rookie Brian Holmes kicked a 13-yard field goal with just over five minutes left to tie the game 25-25. It was the defence that got the offence rolling for the Renegades. George McCullough intercepted a Burris pass and returned it 62 yards for Ottawa's first touchdown of the game, cutting Saskatchewan's lead to 15-8. "At halftime we felt we were in control of the game and it only takes one play to turn things around. That McCullough interception got them back into the game in it turned into one possession either way. I commend the players for keeping their composure and the coaching staff for sticking with the game plan." McCullough kicked a 47-yard field goal on the next series and the Roughriders took a 18-8 lead into the final quarter. The Roughriders led 15-1 at the half, thanks to one big play and one big drive. Kenton Keith rumbled 71 yards on the opening drive for a touchdown, and the ensuing convert gave the Riders an early 7-0 advantage. In the second quarter, Burris led the Riders on a 16-play drive that covered 94 yards and ended with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Chris Szarka. The drive was aided by two illegal contact penalties by the Renegades. The only offence Ottawa got in the first half was a single point on a missed field goal attempt by Holmes. It was his first attempt with the Renegades.