Roughriders punch Grey Cup ticket after dramatic finish against B.C. Lions
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are heading to the Grey Cup for the first time in 12 years — and they did it in unforgettable fashion.
Trailing 21-14 late in the West Final against the B.C. Lions, head coach Corey Mace made two of the boldest and most debated calls in franchise history. With under three minutes left and his team sitting on the Lions’ five-yard line, Mace opted to kick a field goal instead of going for a game-tying touchdown — a decision that drew loud boos from the 33,350 fans packed inside Mosaic Stadium.
“I made the decision — I couldn’t just call a timeout and say sorry,” Mace joked afterward. “I’ve made aggressive calls before that didn’t work out. I understand the reaction, but sometimes you just have to have faith.”
That faith was rewarded. Saskatchewan’s defence immediately forced a critical two-and-out, with linebacker A.J. Allenmaking a key stop on second-and-three to prevent quarterback Nathan Rourke from extending the drive.
“Incredible stop,” Mace said. “That was as close as it gets. I trusted the defence to make a play, and then the offence to finish it off. We practice those moments every week, and they executed perfectly.”
After Brett Lauther knocked through a 13-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 21-17, veteran quarterback Trevor Harrisled a 76-yard game-winning drive. In just seven plays, Harris connected with Tommy Nield for a three-yard touchdown with 11 seconds remaining — sealing a dramatic 24-21 victory and sending the Riders to the Grey Cup.
“It’s crazy how calm everyone was,” said running back A.J. Ouellette, who had another strong performance. “That’s why Coach Mace gets paid the big bucks — no panic, just trust the process and make plays.”
Harris echoed that composure: “When we got the ball back, we knew it was our moment to deliver. I’m just glad we came through for the team.”
While Mace’s unconventional decisions will be debated for years, their outcome has cemented his place in Riders folklore. For a club with just four Grey Cup titles in 115 years, even reaching the championship game is a significant achievement.
“I haven’t really had time to take it all in yet,” Mace admitted with a grin. “The coaching side of me is already thinking about Montreal. But for the guys, it’s special. We love being together, and we’ve earned another week to chase what we’ve been working toward since training camp.”
The Saskatchewan Roughriders (13-6) will face the Montreal Alouettes (12-8) in the 112th Grey Cup at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on Sunday, November 16, with kickoff set for 6:00 p.m. EST.
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