A dominant second half powered the Calgary Stampeders to Saturday’s 32-15 CFL victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders at McMahon Stadium.

The Roughriders led 15-14 after 30 minutes before Calgary seized control of a much-anticipated matchup of the West Division’s top two teams.

“We took a punch today — and that’s all it is — so we’ve got to make sure we respond accordingly,” Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris said.

“We’ve talked about our character all year, so it’s time to put that on the table and show who we are … and we will. We’ll bounce back from this.

“We’re (peeved) off. We’re not happy about this. It sucks. It hurts. But to say the sky is falling or that we’ve got to revamp things, that’s not true. This team will respond accordingly.

“We’re going to take a hard look in the mirror and have some tough conversations and get better from this, because if we want to get where we’re capable of going, that’s the only option that we have.”

Saskatchewan remains in first place with a league-best 8-2 record. Both losses are to Calgary (7-3), which won 24-10 at Mosaic Stadium on July 12.

“We’ve got two games of tape to look at and hopefully find an answer to that,” Head Coach Corey Mace said.

Calgary led 14-2 in Saturday’s second quarter before Saskatchewan countered with two consecutive touchdown passes by Harris. He connected with Dohnte Meyers (seven yards) and Dhel Duncan-Busby (10) for majors.

Harris threw for 141 yards in the second quarter. He also ran for five yards on second down to extend a drive that ultimately concluded with Meyers’ TD and helped Saskatchewan lead by one point at intermission.

“I thought we did a good job with those couple of series,” Harris said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to keep it rolling and that was kind of the difference in the game.

“When they punched back in the second half, we didn’t. It’s unfortunate, but this team will get better from this.”

Vernon Adams Jr. threw three touchdown passes and handed off to Dedrick Mills for the other Calgary major.

Harris completed 15 of 23 passes for 205 yards, with two TDs and two interceptions. KeeSean Johnson caught four passes for 112 yards, including a 62-yarder.

The Roughriders are to return to action on Aug. 31 against the 6-4 Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 60th Labour Day Classic (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium). The teams will then meet in Winnipeg on Sept. 6.

“We’ve got to get ready for Winnipeg,” Mace said. “We know how important these next couple are.”

EXTRA POINTS

• Saskatchewan’s Rolan Milligan Jr. registered his fourth interception of the season to move into a tie for the league lead.

• Jameer Thurman had an interception in Calgary for the second consecutive season. His fourth-quarter pick with 1:15 remaining on Sept. 20 was a massive play in a 37-29 Riders win.

• Thurman added seven defensive tackles, giving him an even 500 for his career.

• A.J. Ouellette passed a career milestone of 3,000 rushing yards. He finished the game with 3,063.

• Roughriders cornerback Marcus Sayles was a late scratch due to illness. His spot was filled by Nelson Lokombo, who moved over from safety. Jaxon Ford started at safety. Lokombo was injured early in the game and was in a walking boot when the team travelled back to Regina.

• Harris finished the game with 198 career touchdown passes and in a tie with Kent Austin for 15th All-Time in the CFL.

• Calgary registered four sacks without allowing one in its second and final regular-season meeting with Saskatchewan. Clarence Hicks had two of Calgary’s sacks.

• The Roughriders’ Kosi Onyeka matched a career high with four special teams tackles, giving him seven in the past seven games. His cousin, Stampeders defensive back Godfrey Onyeka, registered his first CFL interception.

SUMMARY

FIRST QUARTER

Sask — Single Lauther 48 2:24

Lauther was wide on a 28-yard field-goal attempt.

Cal — TD Mills 6 run (Paredes convert) 5:45

46-yard bomb from Adams Jr. to Baldwin set up game’s first TD.

Sask — Single Couch 62 14:09

Roughriders’ offence stalled after interception by Milligan Jr.

SECOND QUARTER

Cal — TD Philpot 8 pass from Adams (Paredes convert) 3:23

With a 28-yard reception, Baldwin set up another TD.

Sask — TD Meyers 7 pass from Harris (Lauther convert)

62-yard pass-and-run from Harris to Johnson set up TD.

Sask — TD Duncan-Busby 10 pass from Harris (two-point convert failed) 14:07

Roughriders moved 85 yards in eight plays.

THIRD QUARTER

Cal — TD Baldwin 10 pass from Adams Jr. (Paredes convert) 2:51

Calgary moved 72 yards in seven plays after the second-half kickoff.

Cal — FG Paredes 53 11:48

Stampeders turned Onyeka’s first career interception into three points.

FOURTH QUARTER

Cal — TD Brooks 11 pass from Adams Jr. (Adams Jr. run for two-point convert) 10:25

Stampeders moved 93 yards in eight plays.