Brendon LaBatte and the Riders will enter the playoffs on a positive note, following a 24-17 win over the Eskimos on Saturday. The result sets up a rematch in the western semi-final between the two teams, in Edmonton on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Meanwhile, Brett Jones and the Calgary Stampeders will enjoy a week off, after they secured first place in the west division, and a bye in the first round.
While the Eskimos had nothing to lose or gain in the standings, the Riders needed a win in order to move into third in the west. Whichever team wins in the Rider/Eskimo game will face the Stampeders in the western finals, in Calgary.
During their last game of the regular season, the Riders built a 16-4 halftime lead after rushing for 172 yards in the opening 30 minutes, while the defence ended a seven-game losing streak and headed into the post-season with some momentum.
The Esks had a late comeback bid, pulling them to within just seven points with a few minutes remaining --- but even after being given the ball with under a minute left, they couldn't tie the game, giving the Riders the win.
Kerry Joseph started his third game for the Riders, but only completed just five of 16 passes for 71 yards in the game. Tino Sunseri was two-of-two for the Riders, however, with 59 yards and a touchdown pass.
The real story for the Riders was on the ground, where Anthony Allen rushed for 81 yards on 13 carries, but sustained a fourth-quarter injury. Rookie running back Steven Miller added 71 yards on 11 carries in his debut with the offence, while receiver Korey Williams chipped in with an 18-yard touchdown run.
In the last regular season game for the Stampeders, Calgary stormed into B.C. and defeated the hometown Lions 33-16.
Even though Drew Tate started the game, Bo Levi Mitchell came in the second quarter, but both Calgary pivots were effective. Mitchell finished the game with 208 yards passing on 13-of-18 passing and threw a touchdown, while Tate passed for 206 yards and threw for a major.
Entering the game, both teams were destined to play in the 2014 Grey Cup Playoffs, but Calgary was settled in first in the west with the right to host the west final. With the loss against Calgary, and the Riders winning their game against Edmonton, the Lions will cross over and face an east division team.
To kickoff the game, the Stampeders received the opening possession. On the opening possession, Tate came out firing finding Joe West and Marquay McDaniel for first downs. The Stamps finished their opening driver with a 12-yard field goal.
The Lions responded in their own opening possesion, with a 18-yard field goal to tie the game. That remained the score for the first quarter of the game.
In the second quarter of the game, the Stampeders claimed a decisive lead, after scoring 21 points, while the Lions were only able to add 10 more to their score.
Calgary had a 24-13 lead by half time.
Both teams scored field goals in the third quarter, each going up by three points.
Then in the last quarter, Calgary scored six points to capture first place in the west division of the CFL.
With a regular season record of 15 wins and three losses, not only did Calgary win first place in the west division, but they also secured first place in the CFL.
In the east division, Hamilton and Montreal both ended the regular season with nine wins and nine losses, with Hamilton earning the bye week after having more wins over Montreal in their head-to-head matches. The Alouettes will face the Lions in the other semi final round, with the winner of that game facing Montreal in the east final.
