Roughriders rout reeling Argonauts

Darian Durant and the Saskatchewan Roughriders are doing their part to ensure a fourth West Division team is in the Grey Cup playoffs.

The Roughriders (5-10) earned their fourth win in a row and completed an Ontario sweep by defeating the rudderless Toronto Argonauts 29-11 at BMO Field on Saturday. The Argonauts (5-11) lost further ground in the race for second in the East, remaining two points behind the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-9) with two inter-divisional road games left. The result also increases the likelihood of a crossover team going on the road for the East semifinal.

Saskatchewan, which started practically from scratch after coach-GM Chris Jones brought in his former Edmonton Eskimos staff en masse after changing teams in December, lost 10 of their first 11 games. In spite of losing 1,000-yard receiver Naaman Roosevelt to a season-ending leg injury, they haven't lost since early September.

The Roughriders were paced by a big debut from running back Joe McKnight, who was subbing for injured starter Curtis Steele. McKnight, a former NFL All-Pro kick-returner with the New York Jets, made 17 rushes for a game-high 150 yards.

Saskatchewan broke the game open with two touchdowns in 72 seconds late in the first half. Ricky Collins Jr. scored from 14 yards out after making a leaping catch and spinning away from Toronto cornerback Aaron Berry with 2:28 left in the second. Moments later, rookie Joe Craig let a punt sail over his head. With the Argonauts backing off to avoid a no-yards penalty, Craig scooped up the ball, juked Toronto's Declan Cross, and broke free for a 71-yard punt return touchdown.

Collins set up a touchdown in the third with a one-handed catch on a 54-yard pass-and-run play.

The Argonauts, who have lost nine of their last 10 games, had only six offensive snaps in Saskatchewan territory with starting signal-caller Drew Willy. Backup Dan LeFevour came on with 1:53 left in the third quarter and directed two window-dressing scoring drives. Brandon Whitaker turned a checkdown pass into a 22-yard touchdown with 4:07 left in the game.

Roughriders linebacker Henoc Muamba, playing his second game since returning north after a stint with the Dallas Cowboys, forced Whitaker to fumble on Toronto's only extended drive of the first half. Roughriders safety Matt Webster recovered on the 19-yard line to squelch the scoring opportunity.

Durant was 14-of-20 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Collins made seven receptions for 113 yards and one TD, while Caleb Holley also had a touchdown reception. Rookie kicker Tyler Crapigna was 2-of-2 on field goals.

LeFevour was 11-of-16 for 107 yards with one touchdown. Willy was 11-of-23 for only 87 yards. Whitaker, who missed a portion of the game with neck pain, was limited to 66 total yards (six rushes for 25, four receptions for 41). Anthony Coombs contributed a two-point convert. Lirim Hajrullahu was 1-of-1 on field goals.

Toronto, still mathematically alive for a playoff berth, visits the Calgary Stampeders on Friday. Calgary has already clinched the West Division.

Saskatchewan has two of its three remaining games at home, including a home game against the Montreal Alouettes on Oct. 22.