Roughriders beat RedBlacks in OT for another walk-off win

Darian Durant and the Saskatchewan Roughriders put a major dent in the Ottawa RedBlacks' chances of having a home playoff game, pulling out a 32-30 overtime win Friday.

Rookie kicker Tyler Crapigna, an Ottawa native, made up for a botched kickoff in the last minute of the fourth quarter by kicking a 39-yard field goal to seal Saskatchewan's third consecutive last-play win. Crapigna delivered after the RedBlacks' Christopher Milo missed his 30-yard try in the first half of the mini-game, with Saskatchewan (4-10) conceding a single.

Veteran defensive back Ed Gainey also knocked down a pass on second-and-9 to force Ottawa (6-7-1) to kick on their possession.

Henry Burris, who hadn't played in seven weeks, found his 2015 Most Outstanding Player mojo to rally Ottawa (6-7-1) for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter and force overtime. After the RedBlacks drew level at 22-22 with 2:52 left, Durant replied by taking Saskatchewan the full length of the field, connecting with veteran Rob Bagg for the go-ahead 27-yard touchdown with 48 seconds to play.

Bagg made the catch in spite of being interfered with by Ottawa DB Antoine Pruneau. Durant and the Roughriders converted four second downs in a row on the 105-yard drive. Rookie wide receiver Joe Craig beat Ottawa's Forrest Hightower twice to get Saskatchewan over midfield, drawing a 29-yard pass interference penalty and also making a 25-yard reception.

Ottawa was practically gifted the tying drive. Crapigna spotted Ottawa good field position at its 45-yard line with a kickoff out of bounds. The Roughriders committed four penalties on the next five plays, including back-to-back pass interference calls on Kacy Rodgers and Fred Bennett that moved the ball to Saskatchewan's 1-yard line. Burris plunged in on a quarterback sneak with 20 seconds left to force overtime.

The Roughriders' four wins have come by a combined 10 points. They also had a one-point win against Ottawa on July 22. Coincidentally, RedBlacks starting QB Trevor Harris also started and didn't finish that game, leaving with a leg injury.

The RedBlacks have a one-point lead for first in the mediocre East Division, but lost their game in hand over Hamilton on Friday.

Durant was an interception-free 22-of-38 for 328 yards and two touchdowns. Armanti Edwards led Saskatchewan with six receptions for 83 yards, while Bagg and fellow national receiver Nic Demski scored touchdowns. Crapigna was 6-of-7 on field goals, with the miss coming from 55 yards on the final play of the fourth quarter.

Burris was 9-of-16 for 138 yards with two TDs and one interception. Harris was 12-of-21 for 120 with one TD and one INT. The RedBlacks also had a lost fumble and two turnovers on downs.

Greg Ellingson factored prominently in the RedBlacks' rally with six receptions for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Chris Williams hauled in Harris' TD toss, while Ernest Jackson had a two-point convert.

Milo was 0-of-2 on field goals. The RedBlacks' special team woes also included rookie punter Zach Medeiros bobbling a long snap at Ottawa's 23-yard line in the second quarter. Moton Hopkins made a touchdown-saving tackle to force Saskatchewan to settle for three points off of the turnover, but that factored into the final outcome.

The Roughriders visit the slumping Toronto Argonauts on Oct. 15.

Ottawa's remaining slate consists of consecutive home-and-home series with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The RedBlacks host the return leg of each set.