Lions' playoff destination now rests in their own hands

The BC Lions' playoff destination now rests in their own hands. The Leos were hoping the Toronto Argonauts would do them a favour Thursday by beating the Saskatchewan Roughriders, thus awarding the Lions home field advantage for the CFL Western conference semifinal, November 8.

For most of the game, the Argos were happy to oblige. With Toronto ahead 31-17 at one point, the game was nearly in the bag. But, the Roughriders began to chip away at their 14-point deficit, and with just a dozen seconds left in regulation, the Riders relied on a Neal Hughes two-yard TD run to give them a wild 45-38 win over the Argonauts..

The win moves Saskatchewan into second place in the West Division. If the division-leading Calgary Stampeders beat B.C. in their final regulation game on Saturday, the Riders will host the Lions in the conference semifinal Nov. 8. Should B.C. win against the Stampeders, the Lions will earn the right to host the Riders under the dome at B.C. Place on the 8th.

For Toronto, the game capped off a dismal season-ending ninth straight loss. Hughes' touchdown came after Toronto muffed an attempted third-down gamble. Instead of punting from inside the 40-yard line, the Argos went for a direct snap to Bryan Crawford, but he fumbled the ball, giving Saskatchewan possession at the 30-yard line.

A pass interference call against Adrian Mayes put Saskatchewan on the two-yard line with 14 seconds left. Hughes bulled his way in from that point at 14:48 to give the Riders (12-6) the dramatic victory.

Former Argo quarterback Michael Bishop tied the game 38-38 with a one-yard TD run -- his third of the game -- at 13:35. He set up the touchdown with a 51-yard completion to Rob Bagg that put the ball at Toronto's two-yard line with less than two minutes remaining.

Bishop's TD came after former Rider quarterback Kerry Joseph hit Reggie McNeal with a 12-yard touchdown pass -- a career-best fifth of the game -- at 8:37 to put Toronto back ahead 38-31.

But Saskatchewan erased a 14-point deficit early in the fourth to tie the game. Stu Foord scored on a 20-yard run at 1:43 before Hughes made it 31-31 with a six-yard run that was set up by James Patrick's recovery of Keith Stokes kickoff return fumble at the Toronto 19-yard line.

Hughes made sure Bishop didn't wear the goat horns in his first appearance at Rogers Centre since being dealt to Saskatchewan in August. Bishop ran for three TDs, but also gave up four interceptions against his former team.

What's more the Riders beat Toronto minus running back Wes Cates. The CFL's second-leading rusher started the game but was seen having his ankle examined in the second and never returned. It wasn't clear if Cates was being rested or was injured.

The inability to hold a lead was a fitting end for Toronto (4-14), which missed the CFL playoffs for the first time since 2001 and finished the season 0-8 under head coach Don Matthews, who replaced Rich Stubler, who at least had compiled a 4-6 mark when he was fired.

It tarnished a solid performance by Joseph, who threw a career-high five TD strikes against the team that last year he led to the Grey Cup. Joseph's play at least gave the Rogers Centre gathering of 28,654 plenty to cheer about on Fan Appreciation Night. Despite its abysmal season, the Argos finished the season with a solid season average attendance of 29,189.

Andre Talbot, with two, Arland Bruce III and and P.K. Sam had Toronto's touchdowns. Mike Vanderjagt kicked the converts and a field goal.

Saskatchewan's Luca Congi added four converts and a field goal.

Byron Parker's interception in the end zone -- his second of the game -- late in the second quarter preserved Toronto's 24-17 half-time lead. Bishop's 20-yard TD run at 12:31 made it a seven-point game before the Riders blocked Vanderjagt's punt and took over at the Argos' 34-yard line. Bishop was looking for Weston Dressler when Parker stepped in front of the pass.

Joseph opened the game on fire, completing six-of-seven passes for 112 yards and three TDs in staking Toronto to a stunning 21-7 lead after the first. He guided the Argos to touchdowns on their opening three drives, but was helped by a Roughriders offside penalty on an errant Vanderjagt field goal that allowed the home team to maintain possession. Joseph took full advantage, hitting Sam on a nine-yard scoring strike for a 21-7 advantage.

NOTES -- Defensive end Riall Johnson, receiver James Robinson, defensive back Pete Hunter and tackle Cliff Washburn were Toronto's pre-game scratches. Running back Hugh Charles, offensive lineman Chris Best, long-snapper Kevin Scott and defensive lineman Jimmy Verdon didn't dress for Saskatchewan . . . Argos linebacker Mike O'Shea appeared in his 205th career game with Toronto, the second-most in club history behind Don Moen (222) . . . Riders tackle Gene Makowsky appeared in his 236th career game, tying him for fifth spot in club history with Dave Ridgway . . . Saskatchewan has clinched a CFL playoff berth for the seventh straight year, their longest such streak since making the post-season for 15 straight seasons (1962-'76).