Well before kickoff, history has already been made in a rivalry that is steeped in tradition.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are poised to play before the largest crowd — 34,000-plus, including standing-room attendees — to witness a game at new Mosaic Stadium since it officially opened in 2017.
That record will be formally established on Sunday when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers pay a visit for the 60th Labour Day Classic.
“The province really gets behind us on this one,” centre Logan Ferland said while preparing for his fifth Classic. “It’s always the favourite game. We know they’re going to come out and be a heavy presence at home. We’re just excited about it.”
Saskatchewan leads the West Division (and the CFL’s overall standings) with an 8-2 record. The Calgary Stampeders (7-3) are second in the West, followed by Winnipeg (6-4).
The Roughriders control their own destiny as they strive to finish first in the division and play host to the Western Final. Two-plus months before the post-season, there is a big-game feel to the traditional late-summer matchup between Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.
“The Labour Day Classic is always going to be a show,” defensive back Kosi Onyeka said. “It’s one of the most anticipated games on the year.
“There’s two rivals — Winnipeg and Saskatchewan — and it’s sold out. We’re just trying to put on a show for the crowd.
“Everyone’s excited and everyone’s pumping it up, but it’s still football at the end of the day. You’ve still got to convert and execute whatever you’ve got to do.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity. This is going to be my third one. I can’t wait to wear those retro uniforms.”
This will be 18th consecutive Classic in which the Roughriders have worn their throwback uniforms. The trend began in what proved to be the championship season of 2007.
Saskatchewan has not donned its conventional game uniforms for a Classic since 2005. The players were resplendent in predominantly black jerseys in 2006.
LUCKY 13
As noted in the previous item, Sunday’s game will be witnessed by 34,000-plus spectators. They will comprise the 13th-best home crowd in Roughriders history.
Moreover, it will be the largest gathering for a game in Regina outside the first three years in which a Grey Cup Festival was held in Saskatchewan (1995, 2003 and 2013).
Although the precise crowd count has yet to be determined for Sunday’s game, here is where the attendance will rank All-Time:
55,438 — Calgary 20 at Saskatchewan 25, Oct. 14, 1995.
44,910 — Winnipeg 25 at Saskatchewan 48, Sept. 1, 2013.
44,710 — Hamilton 23 at Saskatchewan 45, Nov. 24, 2013 (Grey Cup).
43,613 — Calgary 22 at Saskatchewan 24, Oct. 13, 2003.
40,637 — Montreal 21 at Saskatchewan 24, Aug. 17, 2013.
40,320 — Winnipeg 36 at Saskatchewan 18, Aug. 31, 2003.
39,373 — B.C. 24 at Saskatchewan 22, Sept. 22, 2013.
37,372 — Hamilton 0 at Saskatchewan 37, July 21, 2013.
36,703 — Toronto 31 at Saskatchewan 29, Sept. 15, 2013.
35,579 — Edmonton 9 at Saskatchewan 14, Oct. 12, 2013.
35,296 — Calgary 21 at Saskatchewan 36, July 5, 2013.
34,956 — B.C. 14 at Saskatchewan 35, Oct. 19, 2013.
34,000-plus — Winnipeg at Saskatchewan, Aug. 31, 2025.
SPECIAL OCCASION
Onyeka had a game-high four special teams tackles during Saturday’s matchup with the Stampeders in Calgary.
He equalled a career high that was set Aug. 20, 2023 against the visiting B.C. Lions.
The Roughriders’ subsequent four-tackle games on special teams have been by Rolan Milligan Jr. (June 16, 2024 at Hamilton), Melique Straker (Aug. 3, 2024 versus Edmonton) and Onyeka (last week).
“I couldn’t do that without the help of my teammates and my coaches,” said Onyeka, who has seven special teams stops over the past two games.
“That being said, I’m extremely confident when I go out there that I’m going to make a play and do my job and just help this team win. That’s all I want to do.”
INJURY INFO
• Right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick was a full participant in practice on Thursday after being excused for a personal reason on Wednesday. He is poised to play in his second Classic as a Roughrider. His first — on Sept. 6, 2015 — was also his regular-season debut with the Green and White. A member of the Blue Bombers from 2016 to 2023, he missed last year’s Classic because of a quad injury suffered in the Roughriders’ fifth game of the season.
• Kicker Brett Lauther was limited in practice on Thursday after not participating the previous day. He is dealing with a personal situation, according to Head Coach Corey Mace.
• Cornerback Marcus Sayles (hip), safety Nelson Lokombo (ankle) and returner Drae McCray (head) did not practise on Thursday. Offensive lineman Daniel Johnson (shoulder) was limited for the second consecutive day.
• Listed as full participants on Thursday’s official injury report were Hardrick, returner Mario Alford (hip), receiver Shawn Bane Jr. (knee), quarterback Jack Coan (hand) and linebacker Nick Wiebe (knee).
