The Edmonton Eskimos closed out a disappointing season on a high note Friday, defeating the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders 20-18.
Ron McClendon rushed for a four-yard touchdown in the first quarter and Ricky Ray and Jason Tucker connected on a 28-yard TD pass in the third to lead the Eskimos to the victory.
Eskimos defensive end Antico Dalton celebrates after a missed field goal by the Roughriders' Luca Congi gave Edmonton a 20-18 home win over Saskatchewan on Friday night.
(Jimmy Jeong/Canadian Press)
Roughriders kicker Luca Congi had a chance to win the game with a field goal in the final seconds, but his 49-yard attempt fell short.
Edmonton (7-11) was playing for pride after having been eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in 35 years.
"This is my 10th year as a coach and I've been to four Grey Cups and I'm as proud of these guys as I am of those four teams " Eskimos coach Danny Maciocia said. "I'd like to go back in history and find out how many teams that were in our situation would have packed it in a month ago."
The game marked the official end of an era as it was Hugh Campbell's final outing as Eskimos chief executive officer. Campbell, who will remain part of the organization as a consultant, announced he was stepping down earlier this week.
Riders sit starters
Saskatchewan (9-9) got a one-yard touchdown run from quarterback Marcus Crandell and three second-half field goals from Congi.
The game was essentially meaningless for the Roughriders, who were entrenched in third place in the CFL's West division and locked into a first-round playoff date at Calgary on Nov. 5 (CBC, 4 p.m. ET).
Not wishing to subject his regular starters to injury, Saskatchewan coach Danny Barrett elected not to dress quarterback Kerry Joseph, running back Kenton Keith, wide receiver Matt Dominguez and defensive ends Nate Davis and Terrell Jurineack.
"The guys that were sitting at home will be well-rested," said Crandell. "I think we're going to be coming at Calgary with a great attitude. We're going to be ready."
Related
Internal Links
More Football Headlines »
- Lions deny Blue Bombers
- Dave Dickenson threw two touchdown passes to lead the B.C. Lions to a 26-16 win over Winnipeg Saturday, costing the Blue Bombers the chance to host an East division playoff game.
- Alouettes clinch CFL East
- The Montreal Alouettes clinched the CFL East division and a first-round bye in the playoffs with a 24-20 win over the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday.
- Eskimos name LeLacheur new CEO
- The Edmonton Eskimos president Rick LeLacheur will add the role of CEO to his job title, the team announced Saturday.
- Eskimos edge resting Riders
- The Edmonton Eskimos closed out a disappointing season on a high note Friday, scoring a 20-18 win over the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders.
- NFL announces Hall candidates
- Former commissioner NFL Paul Tagliabue and Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis are among the 111 candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2007.
More Sports Headlines »
- Man arrested in Berbick slaying
- A 20-year-old man was arrested Sunday in connection with the murder of former heavyweight and Canadian boxing champion Trevor Berbick.
- Canada golden at short track WC
- Canadian speed skaters continued their medal haul Sunday, winning two gold medals and a silver at the short track World Cup event in Jeonju, South Korea.
- Nestor, Knowles win Swiss title
- Toronto's Daniel Nestor and partner Mark Knowles of the Bahamas won a hard-fought doubles title Sunday at the Swiss Indoors tennis event in Basel, Switzerland.
- Schumacher to remain with Ferrari
- Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher, who retired from racing last week, will stay on at Ferrari as an assistant to new chief executive Jean Todt.
- Lions deny Blue Bombers
- Dave Dickenson threw two touchdown passes to lead the B.C. Lions to a 26-16 win over Winnipeg Saturday, costing the Blue Bombers the chance to host an East division playoff game.