A Labour Day Classic That Went the Distance
Saskatchewan needed extra time to finish off its biggest rivalry game, but the Roughriders came through with a 32-26 overtime win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium. The finish matched the stage, with a raucous crowd watching the latest chapter of the Labour Day Classic.
Winnipeg kept the game alive at the very end of regulation. With no time left, Zach Collaros found Dorian Singer on a five-yard touchdown pass to force overtime and send a record crowd of 34,352 into a final burst of noise.
That figure marked the largest CFL crowd ever recorded at the stadium.
How the Roughriders Closed It Out
Saskatchewan answered first in overtime. Tommy Stevens powered in from one yard out for his third touchdown of the game and his 15th rushing score this season.
The Roughriders then failed on the two-point attempt, leaving Winnipeg one more chance to extend the night. The Bombers could not take advantage, though, because the Saskatchewan defense held firm on third-and-six from the Riders’ 31-yard line.
Jameer Thurman finished the stop by bringing down the receiver behind the line and sealing the victory.
Trevor Harris handled most of the passing work for Saskatchewan, going 23-for-33 for 362 yards and one touchdown. He said the offense took a while to find its rhythm, but the unit settled in during the second quarter and kept building from there.
Injuries Opened the Door for New Playmakers
With Samuel Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker unavailable, Dhel Duncan-Busby stepped into a much larger role and made the most of it. The third-year receiver caught 10 passes for 140 yards, both career highs, and several of those grabs came on big downs late in the fourth quarter.
His season numbers now stand at 35 receptions for 504 yards. Duncan-Busby said he stayed patient and waited for his opportunity, especially with so many injuries forcing other receivers to step forward.
The defense also did its part after the offense got moving. Aubrey Miller Jr., making his first career start at linebacker, said the attack set the tone early and made the defense’s job simpler by putting points on the board.
Miller joined Derick Roberson and Seyi Oladipo in recording sacks. Saskatchewan also limited Brady Oliveira, who entered with 956 rushing yards, to just 28 yards on nine carries.
Milestones, Numbers, and the Next Meeting
- Harris moved past Doug Flutie for 10th on the CFL’s all-time passing list after a 72-yard strike to Daniel Wiebe in the second quarter. He entered the game 127 yards shy of Flutie’s 41,355 and now has 41,590 career passing yards.
- KeeSean Johnson topped 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight season after finishing with four catches for 32 yards. He now has 81 receptions for 1,022 yards in 2026, coming off 86 catches and 1,159 yards last year.
- Collaros finished 27 of 40 for 279 yards and two touchdowns, hitting Kevens Clercius and Singer. Quali Conley scored for Saskatchewan, Roberson added a safety, Sergio Castillo made all four of his field-goal tries, and Alex Hale went one for three.
- Saskatchewan improved to 8-4 and stayed second in the West Division behind Edmonton, which entered Monday at 8-3 before facing Calgary. Winnipeg dropped to 6-6.
The rivals will meet again on Saturday, September 12, this time in Winnipeg.
