The Saskatchewan Roughriders are headed to the 112th Grey Cup after a dramatic 24-21 victory over the B.C. Lions in the West final, secured by a coaching decision that defied conventional football wisdom.
The Game-Changing Moment
With just minutes remaining in Saturday's playoff clash at a sold-out Mosaic Stadium, Roughriders head coach Corey Mace made a decision that drew boos from the 33,350 fans in attendance. Trailing by seven points and facing third-and-goal from the B.C. five-yard line, Mace opted to send kicker Brett Lauther for a 12-yard field goal rather than gamble for the touchdown.
The decision seemed counterintuitive - taking three points when they needed seven, especially with a powerful offensive line that could have powered running back A.J. Ouellette into the end zone. Quarterback Trevor Harris had just thrown back-to-back incompletions, setting up the critical third-down situation.
Miraculous Turnaround
What happened next will become part of Roughriders folklore. The field goal pulled Saskatchewan within 21-17, and the defense forced a stop that gave Harris and the offense one final opportunity. The veteran quarterback then engineered a 74-yard touchdown drive that culminated with an 11-yard pass to Tommy Nield with just 11 seconds remaining on the clock.
The victory sends Saskatchewan to its first Grey Cup appearance since 2013, when they won the championship on their home field. They'll face the Montreal Alouettes on November 16 in Winnipeg.
Coach's Unconventional Wisdom
After the game, Mace explained his thinking behind the controversial field goal call. "I feel like last year, I probably just would have said, 'F-it, let's do it,'" said the second-year head coach, who also serves as defensive coordinator. "Knowing what we're capable of doing to be able to make sure that we're taking points, rather than if we didn't get it and then we've got to do the same thing just to tie the game."
Mace emphasized that his decision wasn't based on odds, strategy, probability, or field position - but simply on "faith" in his players. That faith was rewarded in spectacular fashion.
The victory capped an impressive season for the Roughriders, who finished with a league-best 12-6 record despite losing their final two regular-season games. They defeated a B.C. Lions squad that had won seven straight games, including a West semifinal victory over Calgary.
Now, Mace might have to prepare for that Gatorade shower he famously dislikes - if his team can complete their storybook season with a Grey Cup championship.
