from http://www.cfl.ca/
Riders lead Als at the half
Darian Durant fired an eight-yard touchdown pass to Andy Fantuz late in the first quarter and the Riders D held the Als offence in check as the Riders have taken a 17-3 lead into the half.
The Riders defence got off to a great start forcing three straight two and outs from the high-powered Alouettes offence.
Saskatchewan's offence opened the scoring on their second possession of the game as Luca Congi kicked a 40-yard field goal on their second offensive possession. Congi had missed from 42-yards on the Riders opening drive. Wes Cates was instrumental in the drive running three times for 30 yards on the drive. Cates who was the only feature back this season not to rush for 1,000 yards had six carries for 40 yards in the half.
The Rider D forced the game’s first turnover late in the first quarter as Marcus ‘Chunky’ Adams knocked the ball out of Anthony Calvillo’s hands. Fellow defensive lineman Keith Shologan scooped up the loose ball and rumbled down the Als eight-yard line.
The Riders quickly turned the turnover into six points as Durant found Andy Fantuz in the end zone on the very next play for the game’s first major. Luca Congi kicked the convert to give the Riders a 10-0 lead. Fantuz was the Most Outstanding Canadian in the Riders 07 Grey Cup win.
The Alouettes finally got their offence rolling following the Rider score. Damon Duval kicked a 28-yard field goal to put the Als on the score board. Cahoon had a pair of receptions on the drive and set a CFL Grey Cup record with his 42nd reception in championship games.
After the Montreal D forced a two and out the Als looked to be marching again. However, another fumble abruptly ended the Alouettes drive. Chris McKenzie had an athletic play for the Riders to recover the Kerry Carter fumble. The Riders were unable to capitalize on the turnover this time around though.
After the teams exchanged two and outs Damon Duval shanked a punt for only seven yards to set the Riders up in Alouette territory with two minutes to play in the half. Luca Congi made the Als pay for the muffed pump by stepping up at nailing a field goal from just inside the 45. Congi then booted ensuing into the Als end zone to add an additional single to give the Riders a 14-3 lead.
After another two and out from the Als, Andy Fantuz caught a pass with two seconds left on the clock at the Alouettes two-yard line to set up a third Luca Congi field goal to give the Riders a 14 point halftime lead.