The Saskatchewan Roughriders used a smothering defence to control quarterback Ricky Ray and the defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts, 27-19, on Friday.
The Argos scored just four points in the first half before making it a one-score game with 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Ray threw for only 71 yards in that dismal first half, but the Argo pivot ended the night with 232 passing yards and an interception.
His backup, James Franklin, scored a touchdown on a quarterback sneak and threw a touchdown pass to Declan Cross in the second half but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Riders’ big lead.
Saskatchewan QB Zach Collaros, a former Argo, threw f or 203 yards on 18 of 25 passing as he led his new team to victory in the season-opener for both teams.