Canadian Football League Capsules for Saturday

Nov 9, 2008 - 2:14 AM By PA SportsTicker

EDMONTON 29, WINNIPEG 21

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WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Ticker) -- The Edmonton Eskimos braved the elements and posted a historic victory.

A.J. Harris ran for a pair of touchdowns as the Eskimos overcame the cold and wind at Canad Inns Stadium to defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 29-21, and become the first West Division club to post a playoff victory as a crossover team since the league adopted the format in 1996.

Ricky Ray completed 27-of-37 passes for 303 yards and Kelly Campbell had five receptions for 111 yards for Edmonton, which will visit the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division final next weekend.

Earning their first postseason berth since capturing the Grey Cup with a triumph over the Alouettes in 2005, the Eskimos fell behind early, 8-0, as Kevin Glenn connected with Romby Bryant for a 78-yard touchdown following a single off a missed field goal by Alexis Serna.

However, Edmonton scored 21 of the next 28 points to carry a six-point lead into the break.

Winnipeg's only score in the second quarter came on a 93-yard punt return by Jason Armstead that set a franchise playoff record. It also tied for the fourth-longest touchdown of its kind in league postseason history.

Fred Perry scored on a 31-yard interception return with 2:19 left in the first half to give Edmonton its 21-15 bulge, and Harris followed a single by Noel Prefontaine in the third quarter with a three-yard TD run for his second score of the game and a 29-15 cushion.

Glenn was 15-of-34 for 233 yards with an interception, Bryant hauled in three passes for 104 yards and Serna kicked a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter for the Blue Bombers, who have not won a championship since 1990.

B.C. LIONS 33, SASKATCHEWAN 12

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REGINA, Saskatchewan (Ticker) -- Buck Pierce threw for 221 yards and a touchdown and the B.C. Lions' defense forced six turnovers en route to knocking off the defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders, 33-12, in the West Division semifinals.

Stefan Logan rushed for 153 yards for the Lions (12-7), who will play the Calgary Stampeders (13-5) in the West final next weekend.

Saskatchewan (12-7) fumbled three times and quarterback Michael Bishop was intercepted three times as the Roughriders' offense could only muster four field goals.

B.C. had a 7-0 lead after the first quarter and extended the advantage to 16-6 at the break.

Jarious Jackson's lone pass of the game pushed the lead to 26-9 with 1:09 left in the third as he connected with Geroy Simon for a 31-yard touchdown.

Ryan Phillips had a 54-yard interception return for a score midway through the fourth to put the game out of reach.