Dazzling Defence helps Roughriders stay unbeaten in 2024

HARVARD MEDIA SPORTS CAGE –  Four games, four victories for the Saskatchewan Roughriders to start their 2024 Canadian Football League campaign.

Veteran defensive back Marcus Sayles scored the game-winning touchdown on a 54-yard pick-six with 6:25 left in the fourth quarter, one of five turnovers the Riders forced in their 30-23 victory on Thursday night over the visiting Toronto Argonauts at Mosaic Stadium.

Rolan Milligan (twice) and Deontai Williams also picked off Argos QB Cameron Dukes who had his record as starter drop to 2-2 on the season.

Shea Patterson making his CFL debut in place of the injured starter Trevor Harris overcame a slower start, going 15 of 24 passing for 192 yards passing including a 34 yard touchdown strike to Samuel Emilus in the second quarter, and then added his second touchdown on the ground with a nine-yard scamper late in quarter three.

Riders kicker Brett Lauther added the rest of the offence going three of four with his leg including a long of 48 yarder in the first half.

On the ground, Rider RB AJ Ouellette jumped over the 2000 yard rushing mark for his CFL career rushing for 67 yards on 18 carriers, while on the other side, Argos running back Ka’Deem Carey was held to just an average of 3.5 yards on 11 carries finishing with just 39 yards.

The Riders head back on the road in just over a week when they visit Vancouver to take on the BC Lions on July 13th. You can catch the pregame show starting at 2:00 PM on the voice of the Riders 620 CKRM, with kick-off at 5:00 PM throughout the entire Cooperators Roughrider Radio network.

KEY FACTS AFTER WEEK FIVE WIN:

– Riders improved to 3-0 against the East Division in 2024

– For the first time in 11 year, the Rider start a season 4-0

– Riders snap four game losing streak against Toronto

– Saskatchewan improves to 9-3 coming off a bye week since 2018