Storm clouds were brewing early in Thursday’s season opener for the green and white, but the Saskatchewan Roughriders were able to manage the storm and despite a late scare, emerged victorious over the Ottawa Redblacks 31-26.
Roughriders wide receiver Samuel Emilus had a strong start to the 2025 campaign with eight catches for 133 yards and a touchdown.
Saskatchewan’s pass rush generated pressure at key moments of the game, registering four sacks, led by Malik Carney who ended the night with two.
Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown ended the game with 413 passing yards and two touchdowns.
The Redblacks opened the scoring in the contest after marching down the field in their opening possession that was finished off by a Dustin Crum rushing touchdown.
After failing to get on the scoreboard in the first quarter, the Roughriders exploded with 17 points in the second quarter. Tommy Stevens picked up the first touchdown for Saskatchewan 13 seconds into the frame.
The green and white jumped ahead with their first lead of the year with a 10-yard touchdown reception by Emilus. A late field goal in the first half by Brett Lauther gave the Roughriders the advantage heading into the locker room.
Thomas Bertrand-Hudon, who filled in for the injured AJ Ouellette, added a pair of touchdowns in the second half, one through the air and another on the ground in the second half.
Ottawa cut the deficit down to five points with touchdowns from newcomers Geno Lewis, William Stanback along with Justin Hardy, but couldn’t post a game-winning drive after being stifled by a late sack from Carney.
The victory came at a cost for the green and white, along with the injury to Ouellette (head), Wide receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker (ankle), defensive back Rolan Milligan (neck) and left tackle Payton Collins (leg) all suffered injuries and didn’t return to the game.
Riders Quarterback Trevor Harris ended the game with 277 passing yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
On the other side, Hardy led Redblack receivers with eight catches for 133 yards and a touchdown, and Bralon Addison had eight catches for 112 yards.
For the next two games, the Roughriders will head to Ontario to meet the other two Canadian Football League teams in the province. Next Saturday, they will travel to the Steel City to battle Hamilton Ti-Cats. Then on Friday, June 20 they will square off with the Toronto Argonauts.
The next Roughriders home game will mark the team’s first divisional matchup as they welcome in the BC Lions on Saturday, June 28.