Ray leads Eskimos past Roughriders

Aug 12, 2006, 4:50 GMT

Edmonton, AB - Ricky Ray threw for 238 yards and a touchdown to lead Edmonton to a 24-18 win over Saskatchewan at Commonwealth Stadium.

Troy Davis rushed 15 times for 91 yards and Trevor Gaylor hauled in five passes for 71 yards and a touchdown for the Eskimos (3-5), who snapped a three-game losing skid.

Kerry Joseph struggled all game long and finished with only 152 yards passing, and threw a costly interception in the second quarter. Kenton Keith ran for 103 yards on 17 carries and scored the lone touchdown for the Roughriders (3-5), who fell to 1-3 on the road this season.

The Roughriders opened the scoring with 8:47 to play in the first as Keith rumbled in from four yards out to give Saskatchewan an early 7-0 lead. Sean Fleming's 36-yard field goal pulled Edmonton to within 7-3 after the first quarter, before Gerald Dixon's 72-yard interception return for a touchdown put the Eskimos ahead 10-7 early in the second.

An Edmonton single made it 11-7, but Luca Congi kicked a 38-yard field goal for the Roughriders to make it a one-point game, 11-10 at the half.

Ray opened the second half by connecting with Gaylor on a 44-yard touchdown to put the Eskimos up 18-10. Saskatchewan got within 18-15 at the end of the third frame on a field goal and a safety.

The teams traded field goals to start the fourth, but with just under five minutes to go, the Eskimos embarked on a 10-play, time-consuming drive that culminated with Fleming connecting on a 17-yard field goal with 33 seconds left to close out the game.

Game Notes

Edmonton outgained Saskatchewan 288-264.

The Roughriders have lost their last seven games at Commonwealth Stadium.

Jason French caught three passes for 64 yards for the Roughriders.

Dixon's interception return for a touchdown was the first of his career.

© 2006 The Sports Network