One pick did the trick.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders scored on the second play from scrimmage — courtesy of a 48-yard interception return by A.J. Allen — and never looked back en route to defeating the B.C. Lions 39-8 before 28,683 eyewitnesses at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday night.
The Roughriders’ fourth consecutive victory clinched a home playoff game and sustained the team’s hopes of finishing first in the West Division.
“It’s everything for these fans,” running back A.J. Ouellette said. “They need another game at home.
“I can’t wait to experience that playoff atmosphere here.”
With a 9-7-1 record, the Roughriders are one point behind the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-7-0).
For the Roughriders to finish first, two results must go in their favour on Oct. 26 — when Saskatchewan and Winnipeg both return to action after bye weeks.
Winnipeg must lose to the host Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan must then defeat the visiting Calgary Stampeders.
If that scenario comes to fruition, Saskatchewan will play host to the West Division final on Nov. 9. Otherwise, the Roughriders will stage a divisional playoff game on Nov. 2.
Regardless of the date, fans can purchase tickets HERE.
Allen set the tone two plays after the opening kickoff when he snared a deflected pass and motored toward the north end zone.
“You have no idea how incredible that feels,” Allen said after registering an interception and a touchdown for the first time in his three-year CFL career.
“Usually I’m a special teams player, so that first tackle is something to be aiming for and you’re hungry for it. To get out there and make a pick-six on my second play of the game, you can’t draw it up.
“That is the stuff of dreams.”
The 26-year-old linebacker scored 1:05 into the game. The Roughriders’ record for the fastest interception-return TD was set on Aug. 17, 2001, when Jackie Gotta scored on a 47-yarder just 36 seconds into a road game against Calgary.
On Saturday, the Roughriders also scored on Trevor Harris’s touchdown passes to Jerreth Sterns and Kian Schaffer-Baker. The latter connection gave Harris 20 TD passes in only 11 starts this season.
“This is not like our arrival,” Harris cautioned. “We haven’t done anything. We haven’t accomplished what we want to yet.
“We’re on our way, but we’ve got to make sure we keep climbing this mountain.”
Harris was 25-for-30 for 271 yards. He is the first Roughrider to complete at least 75 per cent of his passes in four consecutive games (minimum 15 attempts).
“I think we’re becoming who we want to be,” Harris said. “That’s a team that is capable of beating anybody, that physically matches up with anybody, that schematically gives ourselves a chance to win every single game.
“We’ve got a tremendous offensive co-ordinator (Marc Mueller) and we’ve got good personnel. We’re becoming the team that can win any game we play in. It’s just a matter of us making sure that we put together three phases.”
One key component on Saturday was Ouellette, who rushed 16 times for 84 yards after missing the past six games with a hip injury.
“It feels good to be back with the guys,” he said. “It feels good to be healthy and playing the way I want to be.”
Brett Lauther added six field goals in as many attempts for the Roughriders.
TURNOVER TIME
Saskatchewan feasted on six takeaways — courtesy of two interceptions, one fumble recovery and three turnovers on downs.
The Roughriders fattened their league-best turnover differential to plus-25.
The six turnovers were the most forced by the Roughriders since Dec. 5, 2021, in the West final. The host Blue Bombers were intercepted three times and lost two fumbles in addition to turning over the ball on downs.
Saskatchewan’s turnover differential was its highest since the Lions visited Mosaic Stadium on Aug. 13, 2017. That evening, the Roughriders were also plus-6 (seven takeaways, one giveaway).
HEALTHY LEADS
The Roughriders led 26-8 at halftime on Saturday. The point total was the team’s highest over the first two quarters since Aug. 6, 2021, when Saskatchewan led B.C. 32-9 at Mosaic Stadium en route to a season-opening, 34-29 victory.
The lopsided game was a novelty for the Roughriders. Twelve of their previous 16 games this season had been decided in the final three minutes.
“I wanted see how the guys responded in the second half because, really, that’s uncharted territory for us,” said Head Coach Corey Mace said.
“We didn’t want the guys to play safe. I just told them, ‘Your play is coming next. Be ready for it.’
“I thought everybody did an outstanding job — coaches … players. Everybody was outstanding tonight.”
Saskatchewan led 36-8 after 45 minutes. That was the Roughriders’ highest point total after three quarters since Sept. 3, 2017, when Winnipeg trailed 37-16. The Roughriders went on to win 38-24.
Overall, the Roughriders amassed their highest point total since July 2, 2022, when they defeated Montreal 41-20 at Mosaic Stadium. Harris started at quarterback for the visiting side.
The eight points were the fewest by a Roughriders opponent since Hamilton lost 30-8 at Mosaic Stadium on Aug. 14, 2021.
Saskatchewan’s margin of victory (33 points) was its highest since B.C. fell 41-8 in Regina on Aug. 13, 2017.
LAUTHER LEAP
Lauther’s 2024 total of 51 field goals is the sixth-best in franchise history.
Dave Ridgway set the Roughriders’ record of 59 in 1990. Robokicker also had seasons of 55 (1988), 54 (1989) and 52 (1991). Lauther kicked 54 field goals in 2018, when he was a West All-Star.
Lauther has connected on 26 of his past 27 field-goal attempts, with the lone miss being on a desperation 60-yarder into the wind.
Counting converts, which Lauther attempts from 33 yards away, he has connected on 41 of his last 42 placements.
The hot streak follows an Aug. 16 home game in which Lauther missed four of seven-field goal attempts against Montreal.
“He had a rough night one night and everybody was ready to say goodbye,” Mace said, alluding to the criticism Lauther had received outside the walls of the Roughriders’ locker room.
“We love him … and he loves us. We’re happy he’s here.”
Lauther is 19 points shy of 1,000 for his career.
SCORING SPREE
The Roughriders registered a touchdown or field goal on eight of their first nine possessions, covering three full quarters.
Adam Korsak punted only once — with 1:32 remaining before halftime — before the fourth quarter.
Saskatchewan dominated the time of possession (33:35).
HALFTIME HONOURS
Darian Durant and Roy Shivers — the 2024 SaskTel Plaza of Honour inductees — were showcased at halftime.
“Thank you, Rider Nation,” Shivers told the crowd on Legends Night. “I’m happy to be back. Thank you very, very much.”
Shivers was the Roughriders’ general manager for 6½ seasons, beginning in 2000. He entered the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
Durant, a Roughrider from 2006 to 2016, quarterbacked the team in three Grey Cup Games — including an historic home-field victory on Nov. 24, 2013.
“I loved every minute of my time in here in Regina,” Durant said, “and they will forever be the best moments of my life.”
EMILUS EXCITED
Samuel Emilus exceeded 1,000 receiving yards for the second consecutive season. He finished Saturday’s game with 87 catches (a career high) for 1,064 yards.
“it’s a good milestone to accomplish,” he said after a six-catch, 94-yard game. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without the guys on my team, so shout-out to the offensive line … shout-out to my quarterbacks … shout-out to the receiving group.
“It’s a milestone individually, but for everyone else as well.”
The 87 receptions tie Emilus with Andy Fantuz (2010) for the 14th-most by a Roughrider in a single season.
With one game remaining, Emilus is within range of the Roughriders’ record for receptions by a Canadian — 94, by Ray Elgaard in 1990.
FEW FLAGS
The Roughriders were penalized only twice for 10 yards on Saturday.
The penalty count was the lowest since Nov. 21, 2010, when Saskatchewan was flagged twice for 15 yards in the West final at Calgary. Mace had three defensive tackles for Calgary in that game.
The Roughriders’ were assessed the fewest penalty yards since 2013 West semi-final vs. B.C. (three penalties, 10 yards).
SUMMARY
FIRST QUARTER
Sask — TD Allen 48 interception return (Lauther convert) 1:05
Allen registered a pick-six after snaring a tipped pass on the game’s second play from scrimmage
B.C. — Single Flintoft 56 3:27
Flintoft punt rolled 10 yards into the end zone before Alford conceded a rouge
Sask — FG Lauther 45 6:32
Harris to Duncan-Busby for 18 put Roughriders in field-goal range
Sask — FG Lauther 53 14:24
Ouellette touched the ball on five of nine plays leading to Lauther’s 20th career field goal of 50-plus
SECOND QUARTER
BC — TD Mackie 2 run (Whyte convert) 4:02
Six completions by Rourke set up Lions on Roughriders’ two-yard line
Sask — FG Lauther 12 9:16
Five completions by Harris led Roughriders to Lions’ four-yard line
Sask — TD Sterns 6 pass from Harris (Lauther convert) 14:39
Roughriders moved 61 yards in five plays after Lokombo forced fumble by McInnis and Reavis recovered
Sask — FG Lauther 18 15:00
Three-pointer set up by Avery’s 40-yard interception return on second-last play of first half
THIRD QUARTER
Sask — FG Lauther 22 3:21
Unsuccessful onside kick by B.C. set up another Roughriders field goal
Sask — TD Schaffer-Baker 8 pass from Harris 8:37 (Lauther convert)
Eight-play, 73-yard TD drive
FOURTH QUARTER
Sask — FG Lauther 43 1:03
Roughriders marched 53 yards in eight plays before Lauther’s sixth field goal of the day
