Cates' 3 TDs power Roughriders over Blue Bombers 55-10

Sep 14, 2009 - 12:16 AM WINNIPEG (CP)- Running back Wes Cates scored three touchdowns and Luca Congi booted six field goals as the Saskatchewan Roughriders pummeled the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 55-10 Sunday in the Banjo Bowl rematch.

Saskatchewan capitalized on eight Winnipeg turnovers - four consecutive in the second quarter - that led to 31 points in front of a sold-out crowd of 29,533 at Canad Inns Stadium.

The victory boosts the Roughriders' record to 5-5. The Bombers drop to 3-7, keeping them tied for last place in the CFL with the Toronto.

In last week's 29-14 Riders' win in Regina, Winnipeg committed six turnovers that led to 13 points.

Saskatchewan's TDs came off a 10-yard catch and four- and one-yard runs by Cates, a 10-yard run by quarterback Darian Durant and a trick play where receiver Jason Armstead threw a 34-yard TD pass to slotback Andy Fantuz.

Congi connected on all six of his field-goal attempts from 33, eight, 32, 29 and two from 40 yards. Punter Jamie Boreham had two singles on a punt and kickoff.

Winnipeg's only scoring was a 35-yard TD run by Fred Reid with 40 seconds left in the first quarter and Alexis Serna kicked a 48-yard field goal early in the fourth after Durant was intercepted by linebacker Derrick Doggett.

Cates' 10-yard catch opened the game's scoring, but after Reid's TD the wheels fell off the Bombers as the Riders scored 35 unanswered points.

Winnipeg's first four possessions in the second quarter ended with a turnover on downs, one interception and two fumbles.

The turnover on downs came early on an unsuccessful fake punt on third down and six. The direct snap went to Reid, but the Riders' defence stuffed him a yard short.

That led to Boreham's 55-yard punt single and an 8-7 Riders lead 2:54.

The Bombers' next turnover was Saskatchewan linebacker Sean Lucas' interception of quarterback Michael Bishop, his eighth pick of the season.

Saskatchewan used the gift for Congi's 40-yarder at 6:50.

Winnipeg's third possession was a fumble by receiver Adarius Bowman, who caught a pass and then dropped it. Rider defensive back Donovan Alexander recovered the ball.

Durant ended that post-turnover drive with an untouched 10-yard run into the end zone and 18-7 lead at 8:19.

Boreham had a 76-yard kickoff single and then Winnipeg botched another play for its fourth straight turnover.

Running back Yvenson Bernard caught a pass from Bishop and then fumbled when a Rider defender got an arm on him. Defensive lineman Luc Mullinder jumped on the bouncing ball.

Cates followed that up with the final scoring of the second, a four-yard TD run to make it 26-7 at 10:39.

Winnipeg didn't stop the bleeding in the third quarter, a frame where fans booed the offence after Congi added to Saskatchewan's lead with a pair of field goals.

But Saskatchewan sealed the win on a trick play.

Durant handed off the ball to receiver Weston Dressler, who then flipped it to Armstead, who then threw the ball 34 yards into the hands of Fantuz in the end zone for the TD and 39-7 lead.

It was Fantuz's first game since late July, when a nagging hamstring injury sidelined him.

Bishop was replaced by Bryan Randall late in the third, but his first play was a pass that was batted up and Riders defensive back Tad Kornegay grabbed the interception.

Saskatchewan used Winnipeg's fifth turnover for Congi's eight-yard field goal and its sixth turnover for Cates' third TD.

After Serna and Congi exchanged field goals, Bishop went back in and was intercepted by Lance Frazier, which led to Congi's 29-yarder.

Winnipeg's eighth turnover was Bernard's second fumble of the game with less than two minutes remaining. Rider DB Eddie Davis picked the ball up but Saskatchewan didn't come away with any points.

Notes: The last time the Bombers gave up more than 50 points was on July 24, 2003, at home when Montreal beat them 50-19.