The highly anticipated Labour Day Classic saw the Saskatchewan Roughriders secure a thrilling 32-26 overtime win against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a game filled with excitement. The sold-out crowd of 34,352 at Mosaic Stadium witnessed an intense battle that went into overtime, initiated by a last-minute touchdown from the Bombers’ Zach Collaros to Dorian Singer.
In the overtime period, the Riders took the lead with a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Tommy Stevens, marking his third touchdown of the game and 15th rushing touchdown of the season. Despite a failed two-point conversion, the Riders managed to stop the Bombers on a critical third-and-six attempt, securing the victory.
Quarterback Trevor Harris led the Riders with an impressive performance, completing 23 of 33 passes for 362 yards and a touchdown. Harris acknowledged the team’s slow start but commended their resilience in pulling off a crucial win against a tough opponent.
The victory boosted the Roughriders to an 8-4 record, placing them second in the West Division behind the Edmonton Elks. The Bombers, on the other hand, fell to a 6-6 record following the loss.
One of the standout players of the game was Dhel Duncan-Busby, who stepped up in the absence of key receivers and delivered a career-best performance with 10 receptions for 140 yards. The Saskatchewan defence also shone, making key plays when needed, as highlighted by linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr.
In a significant milestone, Harris surpassed Doug Flutie to claim the 10th spot on the CFL’s all-time passing list during the game. The victory was a team effort, with players like KeeSean Johnson contributing to the success.
The rivalry continues as the Blue Bombers host the Roughriders on Saturday, Sept. 12, followed by a visit from the Roughriders to Winnipeg on the same day.
