REGINA - Calvin Fance made a habit of wrangling quarterbacks while earning All-American honors at Angelo State so it should come as no surprise that his first career tackle in the Canadian Football League came at the expense of the opposing team's signal caller. Fance and the Saskatchewan Roughriders held off Edmonton 23-22 in their preseason opener at Mosaic Stadium late Friday night.

Fance, who led NCAA Division II in sacks per game during his senior season in 2009, dragged down Edmonton Eskimos' quarterback Matt Nichols after a short scramble in the second quarter and helped hold Edmonton to a field goal. The points would prove critical as the Riders won by just one point.

Fance, a Houston native, spent the last several weeks of the 2010 CFL season helping the Riders' active roster prepare for games but never got a real taste of the action. Friday night the wait ended and work continued for Fance as he trys to prove he's worthy of one of the team's spots when the regular season opens July 1.

Fance came to Angelo State from Cisco Junior College and played a few games for the San Angelo Stampede Express of the Indoor Football League after completing his Ram career. Fance was invited back to Saskatchewan this season and participated in the team's rookie camp prior to the start of training camp. The Riders will play one more exhibition before the start of the regular season.

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