THE CANADIAN PRESS
REGINA — Darian Durant threw three first-half touchdown passes as the Saskatchewan Roughriders kept pace in the race for top spot in the CFL’s West Division with a 32-22 win Saturday over the Toronto Argonauts.
With the win, Saskatchewan (8-6) moved into a tie for first in the West with the Calgary Stampeders (8-5) — pending the results of Calgary’s game with the league-leading Montreal Alouettes on Monday.
Faced with the prospect of being replaced by backup Steven Jyles, Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant responded well, connecting with three different receivers on TD passes.
Chris Getzlaf had a 33-yard TD reception on the Riders’ first possession of the game, Andy Fantuz hauled in a 35-yard scoring strike in the second quarter and Weston Dressler had one of his own shortly after as Saskatchewan opened up a 28-14 half-time lead.
Stu Foord had the Roughriders’ other touchdown, four plays after Jason Armstead returned an Argonauts kickoff 48 yards to the Toronto 45-yard line.
That return was the longest of the day for Armstead, who had three returns of over 40 yards. His first one, a 43-yard punt return in the first quarter, was instrumental in setting up the touchdown throw to Getzlaf.
Toronto (3-11) replied in the first half with a 16-yard touchdown run by Jeff Johnson and one-yard scoring scamper from Kerry Joseph, who left the game after being hit hard on the play. He returned midway through the fourth quarter.
Justin Medlock added field goals of 11 and 42 yards, while the Argos added a single to round out the scoring.
Joseph was 8-of-22 with 82 yards and one interception while backup Cody Pickett was 5-of-6 for 32 yards in relief. Durant completed 14 of 23 attempts for 196 yards.
The loss extended the Argos’ losing streak to four games.