Jun 30, 2007, 4:10 GMT
Montreal, QC - Kerry Joseph completed 16-of-30 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown, while Luca Congi finished 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts, as Saskatchewan topped Montreal, 16-7, in the 2007 season opener for both clubs at Molson Stadium.
Henri Childs caught three balls for 64 yards and a score for the Roughriders, who began the Kent Austin era with an impressive defensive-oriented win, sacking Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo eight times and holding the Als to a single point offensively.
Andy Fantuz added five receptions for 38 yards and Joseph ran for 51 yards on six carries.
Calvillo was ineffective, completing 28-of-39 passes for 271 yards, no touchdowns and three picks for the Alouettes, who dropped a regular-season opener for the first time since 1996. Ben Cahoon led all receivers, posting game-highs with 11 receptions for 96 yards.
Montreal got on the board on the last play of the first quarter, when Saskatchewan kicker Jamie Boreham ran out of the back of the end zone on a punt attempt for a safety concession.
The Riders went ahead, 3-2, in the second quarter on Congi's 45-yard field goal, set up by Jason Armstead's 30-yard punt return into Montreal territory.
Joseph used his legs on the Riders' last drive of the half, as his 19-yard scamper helped set up another Congi make, this time from 37 yards out, to make it 6-2 with under a minute to play.
On their first possession of the second half, Saskatchewan went 46 yards in six plays and Congi ended the drive with his third hit of the game from 45 yards for a 9-2 contest.
Montreal's ensuing drive stalled at the Riders' 31-yard-line, and when Damon Duval pushed a 38-yard field goal try wide left and out of the end zone, they garnered a single.
The Riders got the ball on their own 35 after the failed kick, and four plays later, Joseph hit Childs for a 34-yard score to make it 16-3 for the visitors.
Boreham once again conceded a safety on the next series, and it was 16-5, then added another concession midway through the fourth quarter to close out the scoring.
Game Notes
Former Alouette player and current team broadcaster Tony Proudfoot announced on Friday that he is battling ALS...Coming into the game, Montreal had won 10 straight season openers and had beaten Saskatchewan 19 of the last 22 games dating back to 1996...Marcus Adams and Luc Mullinder each posted a pair of sacks for the Riders...Saskatchewan returns home in Week 2 to face Calgary on July 8, while Montreal travels to Winnipeg on July 5.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Game Notes.
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