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Riders rip Eskimos, snap losing skid in Edmonton

Jun 29, 2013 - 11:43 PM Edmonton, AB (Sports Network) - Darian Durant finished with 171 yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-22 efficiency, as Saskatchewan snapped a long losing skid in Edmonton with a 39-18 decision in the 2013 season opener for both teams at Commonwealth Stadium.

Kory Sheets totaled 131 yards and one score on 17 carries for the Riders (1-0), who had dropped six regular-season matchups in a row in northern Alberta since 2009.

Chris Getzlaf picked up 67 yards and one TD on three catches, while Taj Smith and Scott McHenry also hauled in passes for scores.

Mike Reilly was picked off three times, completing just 17-of-35 passes for 259 yards and one TD to Fred Stamps for the Eskimos (0-1), who suffered their worst defeat to open a season since a 44-22 loss at Calgary in 2000.

Stamps ended up with a game-high 125 receiving yards on six grabs, while Grant Shaw added a trio of field goals.

Durant's three-yard pass to Getzlaf on the opening drive of the second half boosted the Riders to a 29-1 edge, and after Edmonton coughed up the resulting kickoff, Durant found McHenry for a four-yard strike and 36-1 contest.

Shaw converted a 40-yard field goal, then Edmonton picked up a safety before Chris Milo countered with a 24-yard make of his own.

Reilly hit Stamps with 6:36 to play on a 19-yard pass for a 39-12 score, then two field goals from Shaw, the last coming inside of five seconds left in regulation, capped the scoring.

Sheets' 19-yard scamper to paydirt put the visitors on the board early in the opening quarter, and the Riders went up 14-0 with 1:05 to play after Durant's 13-yard connection with Smith.

Both clubs exchanged singles to start the second quarter, then Saskatchewan went up 22-1 on the final play of the half after Reilly was picked off by Renauld Williams, who ran 19 yards for the touchdown.

Game Notes

The Riders last beat the Eskimos at Commonwealth on Sept. 26, 2009, claiming a 23-20 decision ... Despite the loss, Edmonton has won 17 of its last 23 home games vs Saskatchewan since 2000 ... Edmonton's Nate Coehoorn totaled a game- best seven receptions for 76 yards, and Reilly added 37 yards on four carries ... Saskatchewan hosts Calgary next Friday, while Edmonton heads to Hamilton on July 7.