Oilers expect to extend head coach Kris Knoblauch ‘in time’

REGINA — Big plays, big drives and big games powered the unbeaten Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 37-18 victory Saturday over the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium.

The big plays included three interceptions by the Saskatchewan defence, highlighted by an 89-yard pick six from Tevaughn Campbell on the final play of the first half. The big drives featured a 10-play, 69-yard scoring drive to start the third quarter to give the Riders control of the CFL contest. And the big games included A.J. Ouellette’s first 100-yard rushing game for the Riders.

“The totality of the game, that’s what we’re talking about as a team,” said Riders head coach Corey Mace. “That play that ended the first half and then the drive to open the second half, that middle six was super important.”

As the first half was winding down with B.C. trailing 9-7, the Lions appeared poised to take the lead. On a first-down play on the Saskatchewan 29-yard line, Lions quarterback Jeremiah Masoli tried to connect with Keon Hatcher on the far sideline. Campbell jumped the route and had clear sailing to the B.C. end zone. The 89-yard return, coming on the final play of the half, put the Riders on top 16-7.

“It was a see-ball, get-ball play. I saw the ball floating out there and I didn’t believe it at first. As soon as it touched my hands, I was like, ‘end zone, end zone, end zone.’ I went to the side and saw Masoli running and I said, ‘Damn, I’ve got to run this in.’ I was just seeing the end zone,” said Campbell.

“It was a big momentum change. It was definitely good, it sparked morale on the team. Everyone was pumped after it.”

It was quite the turn of events for the Lions, who appeared to have scored on a 44-yard pass from Masoli to Justin McInnis three plays earlier. However, an offside penalty against McInnis negated the touchdown.

The game’s next turning point came with the drive to start the second half. Ouellette, who finished the game with 139 yards rushing on 23 carries, capped the dr