VANCOUVER — The Saskatchewan Roughriders relied on strong performances from their defence and special teams to edge the BC Lions with 24-21 victory in Week 11. The team found a way to win once again after handing the Calgary Stampeders their first loss of the season last week, and they appear poised for a strong run after claiming third place in the CFL West with their firth win of the season.

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“The defence and special teams did a lot for us there in that second half,” quarterback Zach Collaros told TSN’s Farhan Lalji after the win. “They gave us some great opportunities to score and we didn’t finish. Anytime you get a win it’s great, but we have to play a lot better on offence to get to where we want to be.”

The importance of Saturday night’s win was huge, as it put the Riders over .500 and in position to stay competitive in the West division down the stretch. Saskatchewan has a lot to build upon as they prepare to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in next week’s Labour Day Classic.

“It feels great to win,” Collaros said. “Where we are in the standings is a good thing and I’ve never been a part of the Saskatchewan-Winnipeg labour day, so I’m really excited to be a part of that.”

“We’re getting on a roll right now, and it couldn’t be at any better time,” Defensive back Ed Gainey said. “We got two big games coming up this week and we got a few games in the West so hopefully we can continue to keep this going and ride this wave.”