The Saskatchewan Roughriders have ended their 12-year Grey Cup drought in spectacular fashion, booking their ticket to the CFL championship with a last-minute 24-21 victory over the B.C. Lions in the West Division Final on Saturday night.
Dramatic Finish Seals Victory
In a heart-stopping conclusion that will be remembered for years to come, quarterback Trevor Harris connected with receiver Tommy Nield for a three-yard touchdown pass with just 11 seconds remaining on the clock. The game-winning play unfolded before a sold-out crowd of 33,350 passionate fans at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, sending the home team to their first Grey Cup appearance since 2013.
The victory sets up a championship showdown with the Montreal Alouettes, who earned their spot in the Grey Cup earlier on Saturday by defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 19-16. The two teams will meet in Winnipeg on November 16 to determine the CFL champion for the 2025 season.
Cold Weather Battle
The game began with temperatures dipping to minus-seven degrees Celsius in Regina, creating challenging conditions for both teams. The frigid weather clearly affected early gameplay, with several dropped passes by both teams during the opening quarter.
Saskatchewan managed to put the first points on the board with a 63-yard punt single on the game's opening drive, taking an early 1-0 lead. The scoring remained limited throughout the first quarter as both teams adjusted to the cold conditions.
Second Quarter Momentum Shifts
The B.C. Lions appeared to gain control in the second quarter, mounting an impressive 103-yard scoring drive capped by quarterback Nathan Rourke's four-yard touchdown run. Rourke executed a clever fake that left Roughriders linebacker Antoine Brooks Jr. out of position, allowing the Lions quarterback to stroll into the end zone untouched.
With the successful convert, the Lions took a 7-1 lead with 3:50 remaining in the first half. The Roughriders responded just before halftime, with Harris connecting with Kian Schaffer-Baker for a 28-yard gain to set up Brett Lauther's 22-yard field goal, narrowing the deficit to 7-4 at the break.
Second Half Comeback
Saskatchewan came out energized after halftime, putting together a strong opening drive in the third quarter. Harris continued to find Schaffer-Baker, this time for a 25-yard gain, before picking up 10 yards with his own legs.
Facing third down from the two-yard line, the Roughriders elected to gamble rather than settle for a field goal. The decision paid off handsomely when Harris found Schaffer-Baker in the end zone for the touchdown, giving Saskatchewan an 11-7 lead after the convert.
The game continued to seesaw until the final moments, setting the stage for Harris and Nield's dramatic last-minute connection that secured the Roughriders' place in the Grey Cup.
The victory marks a significant milestone for the Saskatchewan franchise and their loyal fan base, who have waited more than a decade to see their team compete for the CFL's ultimate prize. The team now heads to Winnipeg with an opportunity to bring home the championship that has eluded them since 2013.
