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Sheets powers the Roughriders to a hard-fought win in Edmonton

Aug 24, 2013 - 11:15 PM Edmonton, AB (Sports Network) - Kory Sheets racked up 139 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries as the Saskatchewan Roughriders edged the Edmonton Eskimos, 30-27, at Commonwealth Stadium.

Darian Durant went another game without throwing an interception for Saskatchewan (7-1) as he went 24-of-30 for 334 yards. Sheets surpassed the 1,000-yard mark on the season quicker than any other player in league history in the contest. Tyron Brackenridge finished with four tackles and an interception to help the Roughriders pick up their second-straight victory and maintain a one-game lead over Calgary in the Western Conference standings.

Mike Reilly, who passed for over 500 yards last week, had another great showing in the loss for Edmonton (1-7). Reilly went 19-of-29 for 303 yards with three touchdowns and also picked up 76 yards on eight rushes. Fred Stamps was a factor as usual. The CFL's leading wide out caught eight passes for 111 yards and two majors. Marcus Henry made three grabs for 80 yards.

Edmonton struck first as Hugh O'Neill's made 46-yard field goal put it up, 3-0, less than three minutes after kickoff.

On the ensuing Saskatchewan drive, Durant connected with Dressler on a big 37- yard pass play. Sheets was held to nine yards on two carries over the next to plays, which set up a game-tying 27-yard field goal by Milo.

Neither side managed to produce any more points until the opening minute of the second quarter when Milo drilled a 36-yard field goal try. The Eskimos struck back as Reilly threw a 33-yard pass to Stamps for a major that gave the hosts a 13-6 advantage.

The Roughriders had a pair of drives end in Edmonton's territory before the half. Both resulted in made field goals by Milo that sent them into the intermission on top, 12-10.

Saskatchewan increased its advantage on the opening drive of the second half as Milo booted a 36-yard field goal try through the uprights.

Reilly rallied the Eskimos on the ensuing drive, leading them on a seven-play drive that ended with a 21-yard pass to Stamps for a Major. O'Neill's successful extra point try put the hosts ahead, 17-15, with just under seven minutes left in the third quarter.

The visitors didn't waste any time retaliating. The Roughriders drove from their own 38-yard line into the opposition's red zone. Sheets capped off the drive with a 10-yard run into the end zone and Milo's successful extra point conversion gave Saskatchewan a 22-17 lead on the scoreboard.

The high-scoring theme of the third period continued when Edmonton took over. Reilly completed a 51-yard pass to Henry and a 22-yard pass to Cary Koch before he found Koch again on a crossing route for a 13-yard touchdown that sent the contest into the final frame with the Eskimos leading, 24-22.

Edmonton distanced itself from the visitors on the scoreboard early in the fourth quarter when O'Neill made a 42-yard field goal.

The lead disappeared quickly though as the Roughriders only needed four plays to set up Sheets for an 18-yard touchdown rush. Milo chipped in the extra point attempt to put them back on top, 29-27.

The Eskimos appeared to be poised to jump back in front as Reilly found Shamawd Chambers and Koch on a pair of passing plays that racked up a combined total of 59 yards which took them to the Saskatchewan two-yard line. Reilly made a costly mistake as he targeted Stamps in the end zone, which resulted in an interception by Dwight Anderson.

The Roughriders' offense was unable to add points to its lead, but they scored a single after Ricky Schmitt's punt was downed in the end zone.

Anderson made another huge play on the following drive as he sacked Reilly and caused a fumble in the process. The Roughriders recovered the loose ball and handed the ball off to Sheets until the time ran out.

Game Notes

Edmonton fell to 0-6 when trailing at halftime while Saskatchewan improved to 6-0 when ahead at the break...Milo has made all 21 of his field goal attempts on the season....Koch finished with five catches for 79 yards...Hugh Charles rushed for 54 yards on 11 attempts...Renauld Williams recorded a game-high nine tackles...The Roughriders are 7-1 for the first time since 1970...Edmonton has lost by less than seven points in fourth straight games.