Eskimos finish perfect preseason with convincing win over Roughriders

The Edmonton Eskimos dominated the Saskatchewan Roughriders in every area of their preseason matchup Saturday, walking away with a 25-11 victory at home.

The Eskimos rotated quarterbacks evenly throughout the contest. Reigning Grey Cup Most Valuable Player Mike Reilly was almost perfect, going 8-of-9 for 132 yards and the Eskimos' lone touchdown pass. Thomas DeMarco and Jordan Lynch also took significant snaps, going 10-of-17 for 131 yards and 9-of-12 for 64 yards, respectively.

Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant, looking to bounce back from a ruptured Achilles tendon that cost him almost the entire 2015 season, went 11-of-19 for 153 yards, throwing two interceptions.

The Eskimos took their offense to the ground far more often than the Roughriders on Saturday afternoon, handing the ball off 27 times to the Roughriders' 11. Joe McKnight had an incredible day for the Eskimos, carrying the ball nine times for 112 yards, including a massive 85-yard touchdown run at the 8:53 mark of the third quarter.

The primary targets for Durant and the Roughriders were Ricky Collins, Naaman Roosevelt, and Ryan Lankford, each recording four catches for 78 yards, 63 yards, and 29 yards, respectively. The Eskimos spread the ball around, hitting 10 different receivers. Chris Getzlaf hauled in the only touchdown reception of the day, a 5-yard strike from Reilly on the game's opening drive.

The Eskimos' defense was a thorn in the side of Roughrider quarterbacks all game long, as Josh Woodman, Tyler Thornton, and Cordelius Parks each intercepted a pass. Samuel Eguavoen and Kevin Francis returned the favour on the opposite side with one interception each.

Eskimos defensive end Jabari Hunt was on the hunt for Roughriders quarterbacks all day, recording a game-high two sacks in the victory.

Edmonton finished the preseason undefeated, and will open Week 1 of the regular season at home against the visiting Ottawa RedBlacks on June 25. The Roughriders have a bye in Week 1, and will open their season in Week 2, when they welcome the Toronto Argonauts to Mosiac Stadium on June 30.