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Roughriders edge Alouettes for first win

Jul 25, 2011 - 2:55 AM Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - Eddie Johnson made 4-of-5 field goals, including a key 36-yarder with 1:21 remaining, as the Saskatchewan Roughriders claimed their first victory of the season with a 27-24 win over the Montreal Alouettes.

Darian Durant completed 14-of-20 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown for Saskatchewan (1-3), which gave rookie head coach Greg Marshall his first victory. Durant also carried the ball seven times for 71 yards.

"That's a big smile I got on my face," Marshall said. "We came in and got a win against these guys. We hung in there and battled."

Weston Dressler caught three passes for 85 yards and a score for the Roughriders, who suffered a 39-25 loss to these Alouettes on July 9. Wes Cates carried the ball 14 times for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo, the CFL's all-time leader in touchdown passes, connected on 7-of-14 passes for 91 yards and an interception before leaving in the second quarter with a right eye injury.

Adrian McPherson took over behind center and completed 12-of-19 passes for 98 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also carried the ball 10 times for 41 yards and two scores.

Wide receiver Jamel Richardson caught four passes for 32 yards in his return to the lineup for the Alouettes (3-1). Richardson missed last week's game with an injured knee.

Johnson's 36-yarder with 81 ticks left on the clock gave Saskatchewan a 27-17 margin.

McPherson led Montreal down the field, but had his pass intercepted by James Patrick in the end zone.

It seemed to be all over, but Hugh Charles lost the football on the ensuing play. Billy Parker recovered the ball for the Roughriders.

McPherson then made it a three-point game with a seven-yard TD run with 25 seconds to play. But Saskatchewan recovered the onside kick and ran out the remaining time.

Montreal's Sean Whyte and Johnson each made 40-yard field goals to start the game.

Johnson added a single late in the first quarter to give the Roughriders a 4-3 edge.

Saskatchewan continued to ride Johnson early in the second stanza. Johnson made a 45-yarder to make it a 7-3 contest.

McPherson put Montreal ahead on the ensuing possession with a one-yard TD run. Durant and Dressler needed just one play to give the Roughriders the lead again. A 75-yard passing play gave Saskatchewan a 14-10 advantage with about eight minutes left.

Calvillo was then intercepted by Sean Lucas. On the play, Dario Romero put a big hit on the veteran quarterback. Johnson capitalized with an 11-yard field goal to give the Roughriders a 17-10 lead at the break.

"I couldn't see. There was concern when I was on my knee," Calvillo said. "It was all very blurry. It's a lot better now. It's just something we're going to evaluate in the next day or two."

McPherson played the rest of the game for Calvillo, who was seen standing on the sideline for the second half.

Saskatchewan started the second half with a 10-play, 73-yard drive, which Cates capped with a one-yard TD run.

Montreal got the fourth quarter scoring started with an eight-play, 73-yard drive. McPherson threw a nine-yard TD pass to Brian Bratton to cut the gap to 24-17.

Game Notes:

The Roughriders lost each of their first three games by double figures...The Alouettes beat Saskatchewan in the 2009 and 2010 title games...In Montreal's 40-17 thrashing of Toronto last week, Calvillo became the CFL's all-time leader in touchdown passes. The 18-year veteran has tossed 396 scoring strikes, two more than Damon Allen threw in 23 seasons...Brandon Whitaker carried the ball eight times for 54 yards for Montreal.