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Eskimos top Roughriders on Schiavone's FG

Nov 5, 2011 - 4:37 AM Edmonton, AB (Sports Network) - Derek Schiavone's 27-yard field goal in the final minute of the game gave the Edmonton Eskimos a 23-20 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the regular season finale for both teams.

Edmonton entered the game tied with both the British Columbia Lions and the Calgary Stampeders atop the West Division at 10-7. With the win, the Eskimos will host a playoff game for the first in seven years and can clinch homefield advantage throughout the playoffs with a loss by the Stampeders on Saturday.

If the Lions and Stampeders also win Saturday, British Columbia would be first in the division, followed by Edmonton and Calgary.

Adarius Bowman caught 10 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns, and Ricky Ray completed 22-of-32 passes for 305 yards, two scores and an interception for the Eskimos (11-7).

Jerome Messam gained 76 yards on 13 carries for Edmonton, giving him 1,057 for the year and making him just the 10th Canadian overall to reach that mark.

Ryan Dinwiddie threw for 193 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 12- of-24 passing, and Chris Getzlaf had seven receptions for 131 yards and two scores for the Roughriders (5-13).

With about three minutes left in regulation, Getzlaf hauled in his second score of the game on a 20-yard toss by Dinwiddie to tie the game at 20.

Edmonton then converted a 3rd-and-1 with a quarterback sneak inside its own territory before Bowman made a leaping grab for a 32-yard gain three plays later to move the Eskimos to the Saskatchewan 26.

Bowman almost sent the game into overtime as he fumbled trying to fight for extra yards on a short second-down reception, but the Eskimos recovered the loose ball to set up Schiavone's game-winning kick.

Tristan Jackson lost a fumble on the ensuing kickoff that was recovered by Edmonton to seal the win.

After the teams traded punts through a scoreless first quarter, Saskatchewan put together a four-play scoring drive capped by Getzlaf's 21-yard touchdown grab early in the second.

But Edmonton quickly answered two plays later when Ray hit Bowman on a deep post over the middle for a 71-yard score to knot the game at 7-7.

The Roughriders were then forced to punt and Messam broke off a 29-yard run before Ray found Bowman for a 24-yard touchdown, making it a 14-7 contest at the half.

Edmonton could not record a first down on the opening possession of the third quarter, and Christopher Milo split the uprights from 27 yards out to bring Saskatchewan within four.

Schiavone's 36-yard field goal late in the third and his 19-yard kick early in the fourth put the Eskimos ahead by 10, but Milo brought the Riders back within a touchdown with a 46-yard field goal.

Game Notes

Edmonton holds a 111-81-2 advantage in the all-time series and has won five of the last six meetings...Saskatchewan ended the season 0-10 against the West, marking its first ever winless season against the division...Saskatchewan's Wes Cates carried the ball 14 times for 89 yards.