Roughriders overpower Blue Bombers to earn 1st victory of the season

The Saskatchewan Roughriders notched their first victory of the 2015 season on Sunday, avoiding an 0-10 start with a 37-19 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Regina.

Saskatchewan was led by quarterback Brett Smith, who threw for 211 yards and a touchdown. Running back Jerome Messam rushed for 73 yards in the win.

Winnipeg opened the game strong, going up 10-0 at the end of one quarter thanks to a 50-yard field goal by Lirim Hajrullahu and a touchdown from quarterback Brian Brohm.

However, Saskatchewan wasted no time getting back on track in the second quarter.

A 32-yard field goal from kicker Paul McCallum got the green 'Riders on the scoreboard during their first possession of the second quarter. Shortly afterward, wide receiver Nic Demski, a Manitoba native, scorched the Bombers' special teams with a 60-yard punt-return touchdown to tie the game.

McCallum's second field goal of the game, this one from 43 yards out, gave Saskatchewan a 13-10 lead at halftime.

The second half saw Saskatchewan continue to pull away from its rival. McCallum hit his third field goal of the contest, and wide receiver Ryan Smith hauled in a 27-yard touchdown pass to extend the Rider lead.

In the final quarter, Saskatchewan's running game put the Bombers away. Messam advanced the ball with some powerful runs to start the fourth, and Rob Bagg finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run that opened up a 19-point Rider lead.

Winnipeg running back Cameron Marshall rushed for a touchdown with less than two minutes remaining, but the Bombers fumbled on their next possession. Saskatchewan's Tyron Brackenridge recovered the fumble with just 44 seconds left, and returned it 22 yards for one final touchdown.

Saskatchewan's win was the first for interim head coach Bob Dyce. Winnipeg has now lost four games in a row.

The rivals will meet again next Saturday in the annual "Banjo Bowl" game in Winnipeg.