The Saskatchewan Roughriders were able to fight off a fourth quarter comeback by the B.C. Lions for a 27-21 victory.

After no scoring by either team in the first quarter, the Riders jumped out to a 18-1 halftime lead with a big second quarter.

Weston Dressler caught two touchdown passes, including a 53-yarder to stretch the Riders lead. He did it all with a heavy heart too.

"This past week, my grandfather passed away," said Dressler. "He was just one of the best men I know, he was amazing."

Dressler actually had to miss walk through on Friday to attend his funeral.

The B.C. Lions chipped away to the point it was 20-14 with under three minutes remaining. The game was back and forth following that. Darian Durant hit Greg Carr for a 46-yard touchdown to take a 13 point lead.

The Lions would answer right back when Marco Iannuzzi scored his second touchdown of the game to make it 27-21.

"We weren't holding our heads, no one was blaming anybody," said defensive lineman Tearius George. "Every body was just worried about the next play. I think in the beginning of the season, everyone was letting those plays linger a lot."

B.C. followed that up with a successful onside kick and took possession at midfield. But the Riders defense stood strong and B.C. was unable to complete a pass, with Chris McKenzie intercepting Travis Lulay on 3rd and 15 with under a minute to go.

Earlier this week, head coach Corey Chamblin called for the fans to be loud this week, louder than usual that is. They certainly met that challenge and passed it with flying colours.

"Crowd was money tonight," said quarterback Darian Durant. "You give our fans a whole day to get it in, and get that Pilsner in them, they're going to get rowdy."

There was also a funny moment in the first quarter, when Dressler's second touchdown of the game actually came at the expense of receiver Greg Carr who was also in the area, but Dressler took it instead.

"I told him, 'Usually I jump over little guys, but since he's my teammate, I'll let it slide this time'," joked Carr after the game.

The Riders (7-6) were able to run off the remainder of the clock and win their fourth game in their last five and move above .500 for this first time since Week 6.

With files from CJME's Joel Gasson