The Saskatchewan Roughriders gave their home crowd plenty to cheer about on Saturday night, mounting a last-minute comeback to defeat the BC Lions 31-27 in the 2026 CFL season opener at Mosaic Stadium.
Grey Cup Banner Raised
Before the game, the Roughriders raised their 2025 Grey Cup championship banner in front of an announced crowd of 30,168. The Green and White then proceeded to kick off the new season with a thrilling victory, extending their streak of season-opening wins to six straight dating back to 2019. It was also the fifth consecutive season-opening victory following a Grey Cup win the previous year.
First Half Action
Quarterback Trevor Harris, last year's Grey Cup MVP, led Saskatchewan on a nine-play, 64-yard drive capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Emilus, putting the Roughriders up 7-0 after the convert. After a Lions punt pinned Saskatchewan at their own one-yard line, Harris engineered a 12-play, 109-yard drive, again finishing with a touchdown pass to Emilus to make it 14-0 early in the second quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, the Lions got on the board with a 25-yard field goal by Sean Whyte. Roughriders rookie kicker Alex Hale replied with a 35-yard field goal to make it 17-3. Before halftime, Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, last year's most outstanding player, drove 70 yards on nine plays, capping the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 17-10.
Second Half Comeback
In the third quarter, Harris put together another solid drive, completing a 38-yard pass to Emilus before Saskatchewan settled for a 16-yard field goal to go up 20-10. On B.C.'s next possession, Rourke quickly drove the field, aided by a 15-yard penalty, and running back James Butler scored on a three-yard touchdown run to make it 20-17.
With time winding down in the third quarter, Hale missed a 43-yard field goal, but the rouge conceded by the Lions made it 21-17. Rourke and the Lions responded with an efficient drive into Saskatchewan territory, but defensive end James Vaughters ended it with a sack. The Lions settled for a 23-yard field goal to make it 21-20.
Final Drive
On Saskatchewan's next drive, Harris hit Kian Schaffer-Baker for a 52-yard gain. However, a short run and a misthrow led to a 22-yard field goal by Hale, making it 24-20. The Lions then took the lead with a touchdown, but the Roughriders mounted a last-minute drive, with Harris finding Emilus for his third touchdown of the night to seal the 31-27 victory.
