Keith leads Roughriders over Tiger-Cats

Aug 20, 2006, 5:55 GMT

Regina, MB - Kenton Keith rushed for 148 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Saskatchewan Roughriders crushed the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 46-15.

Keith also caught two passes for 101 yards for the Roughriders, who won for the first time in their last three games. Rocky Butler threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns in the win for Saskatchewan (4-5).

Jason Maas went 12-for-27 and threw for 131 yards and a touchdown for Hamilton, which has lost two straight. Brock Ralph hauled in five passes for 65 yards in the loss for the Tiger-Cats (2-8).

The Roughriders drew first blood and took a 7-0 lead with 8:40 left in the first quarter as Marcus Crandell rushed from one-yard out into the end zone. Late in the first quarter, Luca Congi booted a 49-yard field goal to give Saskatchewan a 10-0 lead.

The Roughriders continued to pour it on offensively and took a 17-0 lead as Butler connected with Matt Dominguez for a 32-yard TD score. With 5:05 remaining in the second quarter, Butler connected with Keith on an 80-yard TD pass to give Saskatchewan a commanding 24-0 lead.

Hamilton's defense was finally able to get the team on the scoreboard with a safety as Congi conceded in the end zone late in the second quarter as the Tiger-Cats still trailed 24-2.

Two field goals of 47-yards and 33-yards by Jamie Boreham just before halftime made it a 24-8 contest.

Hamilton's offense struggled immensely in the first half gaining only 77 yards of total offense. Saskatchewan meanwhile put together 327 yards of offense in the first half.

The Tiger-Cats scored on their first possession of the second half to make it a 24-15 contest. Maas hit Josh Ranek with a 12-yard TD pass.

Late in the third quarter, Keith rumbled into the end zone from one-yard out to give the Roughriders a 30-15 lead as the extra point was missed. Saskatchewan made it a 37-15 lead after Eddie Davis returned a 37-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Early in the fourth, Congi's 37-yard field goal upped the lead to 40-15. Congi later in the fourth drilled a 47-yarder and a 40-yarder as the Roughriders lead grew to 46-15.

Game Notes

The Roughriders have won the last five meetings against the Tiger-Cats.

Saskatchewan outgained Hamilton in total yards of offense, 453 to 234.

The Tiger-Cats turned the ball over five times.

Hamilton was without defensive halfback Tay Cody, who missed the game with a separated shoulder.

© 2006 The Sports Network