A Labor Day Classic that came down to the final snap

Saskatchewan needed more than four quarters to finish the job, but the Roughriders came through with a dramatic 32-26 overtime win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium. The crowd of 34,352 set a new venue record for a CFL game and watched a tense finish that fit the rivalry perfectly.

Winnipeg forced the extra period with the clock hitting zero. Zach Collaros found Dorian Singer for a five-yard touchdown on the final play of regulation, sending the game into overtime and keeping the Blue Bombers alive.

The Roughriders answered first after the break. Tommy Stevens powered in from one yard out for his third touchdown of the game and his 15th rushing score of the season, then Saskatchewan came up empty on the two-point attempt. That left the door open, but the defense shut it quickly.

On third-and-six from the Saskatchewan 31, Winnipeg could not extend the drive. Jameer Thurman made the key stop behind the line, ending the game and sending the home crowd into celebration.

Key performances that swung the game

Trevor Harris handled most of the passing load for Saskatchewan, going 23-for-33 for 362 yards and one touchdown. He said the offense started slowly but settled in as the second quarter progressed.

Harris also moved up the record book during the win. A 72-yard strike to Daniel Wiebe in the second quarter pushed him past Doug Flutie and into 10th place on the CFL’s all-time passing yards list.

“It’s obviously huge. It’s important for us to get these wins at this point in the year,” Harris said. “We’re down some prominent guys, and so the fact that we’re able to kind of grind through it and get these wins is huge for us. We didn’t start out tremendous offensively but thought we really found a rhythm in the middle of the second quarter on.”

Harris now has 41,590 career passing yards. He trails Matt Dunigan, who sits ninth with 43,857, while Anthony Calvillo remains the league’s all-time leader at 79,816.

• Tommy Stevens scored three touchdowns for Saskatchewan, including the overtime winner.
• Dhel Duncan-Busby produced a career night with 10 catches for 140 yards.
• Winnipeg’s Brady Oliveira was held to 28 rushing yards on nine carries.
• Sergio Castillo was perfect on four field goal attempts for the Blue Bombers.

Injuries created an opening, and Saskatchewan took it

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 set career highs with 10 receptions and 140 yards, including several crucial grabs on late fourth-quarter downs. His season totals now stand at 35 catches for 504 yards.

He said patience mattered because the offense already had plenty of talent around him. With injuries forcing changes, he was ready when the opportunities finally came.

“I just knew that I had to be patient. Obviously, we have a great receiving corps. We’ve got a lot of different guys and, unfortunately, with all the injuries and stuff like that, people have had to step up, and I’m just glad that today was my time,” Duncan-Busby said.

On defense, Aubrey Miller Jr. made his first career start at linebacker and said the offense helped set the tone. Derick Roberson and Seyi Oladipo also added sacks, while the unit limited Winnipeg’s ground game and kept Brady Oliveira from finding room to work.

“The offence set the tone. The offence did that. The offence got us going. They got in the end zone and put points on the board. Only thing we had to do is finish,” Miller said.

What the box score says and what comes next

Collaros finished 27 of 40 for 279 yards and two touchdown passes, with scores to Kevens Clercius and Singer. Saskatchewan also got a touchdown catch from Quali Conley and a safety from Roberson, while Alex Hale made one of three field goal tries for the Roughriders.

The Blue Bombers and Roughriders will meet again on Saturday, September 12, in Winnipeg. That rematch gives Winnipeg a fast chance to respond, while Saskatchewan will try to carry the same energy into another rivalry game.