For the first time in 28 years, the Saskatchewan Roughriders failed to score a point in a CFL contest.

The green and white were manhandled in Edmonton by the Eskimos, falling 24-0 at Commonwealth Stadium on Friday night in a key late season West Division battle.

The loss is huge in the standings for the Riders as it allows the Eskimos to tie them for second place in the tight West Division.  These two teams will meet two more times before the end of the regular season.

The Eskimos stymied the Riders offence throughout the game with both Tino Sunseri and Seth Doege seeing time at quarterback for Saskatchewan.  The Riders managed just 91 yards along the ground and 114 through the air in the loss.

Sunseri went 6-of-12 for 53 yards and an interception before being lifted in the third quarter for Doege, who finished 5-of-11 for 61 yards and an interception.

Meanwhile, the Eskimos were able to run over the Riders defence to the tune of 299 yards rushing, led by John White, while had 17 carries for 192 yards and one rushing touchdown.  He added a seven-yard touchdown catch in the final minute to put the finishing touches on the win.

White’s 36-yard touchdown run opened the scoring just 3:04 into the game and the Eskimos never looked back.

Mike Reilly finished 14-of-25 for 124 yards passing and added 10 carries for 106 yards rushing.

Three field goals (27, 44 and 45 yards) from Hugh O’Neill, as well as a 55-yard punt single and a second quarter safety accounted for the rest of the scoring for Edmonton in the win.

Saskatchewan finished the game with just 24:20 time of possession compared to the 35:40 that the Eskimos were able to put up.

The Riders will return home on Saturday and have a week to figure things out before hosting the first place Calgary Stampeders next Friday at Mosaic Stadium.