Roughriders upset Tiger-Cats on late field goal

Backup quarterback Mitchell Gale helped the Saskatchewan Roughriders play spoiler with another walk-off win.

Rookie kicker Tyler Crapigna punctuated a well-executed finishing drive by kicking a 28-yard field goal on the final play, vaulting the Roughriders to a 20-18 victory against the banged-up Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Mosaic Stadium. Despite losing starting QB Darian Durant after he took a heavy hit in the third quarter, Saskatchewan (3-10) made life tough for a Tiger-Cats team that was missing seven starters - including its top three receivers - due to injuries.

Hamilton (6-7) was looking to retake top spot in the East Division. The Tiger-Cats took their first lead of the second half with 3:33 to play when backup QB Jeremiah Masoli turned a short-yardage sneak into a a career-long 21-yard touchdown run, capping an 86-yard drive.

Working against the wind, Gale completed five passes in a row, including two to veteran SB Rob Bagg, to take the 'Riders to Hamilton's 33-yard line with a minute to play. Saskatchewan was able to grind out a first down on the ground before before centring the ball for Crapigna to kick the game-winner.

Saskatchewan also had a last-play win against the Edmonton Eskimos last Sunday. Durant scored the winning TD in overtime.

Gale, who was 7-of-9 for 52 yards with an interception in his relief effort, was also at the centre of the game's other pivotal moment. The contest was tied 10-10 in the second quarter when Saskatchewan drove to Hamilton's one-yard line. On first and goal, Gale was snuffed on a line plunge and CB Cassius Vaughn jarred the ball free. Adrian Tracy recovered for Ti-Cats and ran 106 yards for an apparent touchdown. A replay review revealed that Gale was, in fact, down by contact before losing the ball. Durant subbed in and scored on the next play.

Durant was 23-of-31 for 326 yards with one touchdown pass. Wide receiver Caleb Holley had eight receptions for 110 yards. Bagg made eight catches for 96 yards, and Armanti Edwards tallied seven for 88, including a fully extended diving grab for a 46-yard touchdown. Crapigna was 2-of-2 on field goals.

Hamilton was missing Chad Owens, Luke Tasker, and Terrence Toliver, their three leading receivers. All-star safety Courtney Stephen and hybrid linebacker Rico Murray were also unable to play, along with guard Peter Dyakowski, and running backs C.J. Gable and Ross Schuerman.

In spite of a patchwork passing game, Hamilton QB Zach Collaros was 26-of-40 for 310 yards with one TD and one INT. Veteran SB Andy Fantuz had nine receptions for a game-high 113 yards, including a third-down grab that set up Masoli's fourth-quarter TD. Brandon Banks was on the receiving end of Collaros' TD pass. Brett Maher was 1-of-3 on field goals with one single.

The Tiger-Cats utterly abandoned the running game, with just seven attempts for 43 yards. Masoli accounted for the bulk of that as the short-yardage specialist.

The Tiger-Cats will segue from losing to the league's worst team to playing its best when they host the Calgary Stampeders (11-1-1) on Saturday. Saskatchewan is on a bye in Week 15 before visiting the Ottawa RedBlacks on Oct. 7.