Roughriders hang on to top Lions in season opener
Football Betting Lines
07/04/2009 - Regina, SK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Darian Durant threw for 313 yards and had a rushing touchdown to help the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 28-24 win over the British Columbia Lions in the season opener for both clubs.
Durant went 18-for-32 with three interceptions and added 35 yards on the ground for the Roughriders (1-0), who finished last season with a 12-6 record but lost to the Lions in the Western Semi-Final game. Hugh Charles had 14 carries for 34 yards and a score.
Buck Pierce threw for 186 yards on 17-for-33 passing with a touchdown and two interceptions and added a touchdown on the ground for the Lions (0-1), who went 11-7 last season and lost to Calgary in the West Final. Emmanuel Arceneaux had three catches for 40 yards and a score.
The Roughriders got the first score of the game as Durant's 10-yard touchdown run gave the team a 7-0 lead a bit over five minutes in, and Jamie Boreham got a single on the ensuing kickoff.
The Lions answered later in the first as Ryan Phillips stepped in front of a pass and took it into the end zone from 60 yards out to make it an 8-7 game.
A 37-yard field goal off the foot of Luca Congi late in the first quarter gave Saskatchewan an 11-7 lead.
A bit over four minutes into the second quarter, Charles took the ball into the end zone from two yards out and on the Lions' ensuing drive, Stuart Foord recovered a Paul McCallum fumble and took it into the end zone from 12 yards out for a 25-7 lead.
With close to two minutes left in the first half, British Columbia cut into its deficit as Arceneaux caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Pierce to make it a 25-14 game going into the break.
With under two minutes to play in the third quarter, Pierce ran the ball into the end zone from six yards out, but the two-point conversion failed and it was a 25-20 game heading into the final 15 minutes.
A single from British Columbia a bit over a minute into the four quarter made it a four-point game, but a 22-yard field goal off the foot of Congi with a bit over eight minutes to play gave the Roughriders a 28-21 lead.
The Lions had a golden opportunity to tie the game late in the fourth as a blocked punt gave the team the ball in Saskatchewan territory, but the Roughrider defense held tight and British Columbia was only able to get a 38- yard field goal from McCallum with 2:01 to play.
The British Columbia defense held Saskatchewan on the ensuing possession to give the offense one last chance, but the Roughriders defense stood tall to hang on for the win.
Game Notes
Martell Mallett had six carries for 63 yards for British Columbia...Weston Dressler caught seven passes for 156 yards for Saskatchewan...The Roughriders defense has nine sacks in the game.
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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South
In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
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