The Saskatchewan Roughriders erased the bad memory of an embarrassing defeat Friday night with a victory over the Montreal Alouettes at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
Luca Congi kicked a game-winning 29-yard field goal with time expiring, lifting the Riders to a thrilling 27-26 win over Montreal in a game that featured nine lead changes.
The win also means Saskatchewan (8-8) can clinch a playoff spot in the West Division with its next victory.
The Alouettes (9-7) failed to keep the pressure on the Toronto Argonauts (9-6) for first place in the East.
The Argonauts can overtake Montreal with a win over the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday (CBC, 2 p.m.
, ET).
The Alouettes were holding on to a slim 26-24 lead when the Riders took possession with only 38 seconds remaining in the game.
Riders quarterback Kerry Joseph completed a 24-yard pass to receiver Yo Murphy and ran another 21 yards to set up the winning field goal by Congi.
The Riders defence definitely came to play on this night.
The defence overcame five turnovers by the offence by sacking Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo five times.
After two Damon Duval field goals put Montreal ahead 23-17, the Riders took a one-point lead on Kerry Joseph's nine-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Fantuz at 7:44 of the fourth quarter.
The Roughriders caught a break earlier in the drive as an apparent fumble by receiver Matt Dominguez was overturned following a challenge by coach Danny Barrett.
The Alouettes regained the lead following a 27-yard field goal by Duval will less than five minutes remaining, putting Montreal ahead 26-24.
But the Alouettes couldn't hold on for the win.
Joseph overcame three inceptions in the game, throwing for 238 yards and one touchdown. Dominguez led all receivers with six receptions for 135 yards.
Trailing by a field goal in the first quarter, the Roughriders took a 7-3 lead at 7:49.
Running back Shermar Bracey followed a key block by offensive guard Andrew Greene and outraced the Montreal defenders for a 63-yard touchdown run.
The Alouettes came back on the next drive after Robert Edwards plunged in for a one-yard score with only 40 seconds remaining in the opening quarter and a 10-7 edge.
The touchdown completed an 11-play 54-yard drive for the Alouettes.
Montreal increased its lead to 17-7 at 9:02 of the second with seven-play 50-yard march.
Edwards scored on a two-yard run, giving the Alouettes running back his league-leading 16th touchdown of the season.
The Riders cut Montreal's advantage to 17-14 on the ensuing drive with 2:38 remaining in the first half.
Joseph faked the option that froze cornerback Clint Kent, enabling the Saskatchewan pivot to dash four yards into the endzone.
Congi closed out the opening half with a 20-yard field goal to tie the game 17-17.
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