The long wait is over, football fans.
The 2025 Canadian Football League campaign officially begins Thursday night on the prairies, with the Saskatchewan Roughriders welcoming the Ottawa Redblacks to Mosaic Stadium in Regina for the CFL regular season opener at 7:00 PM.
TSN released their annual Top 50 players list ahead of the season opening kickoff, and five Roughriders made the cut. Defensive back CJ Reavis was put at #44, linebacker Jameer Thurman one spot ahead at #43, and then Kindersley born, Melfort raised offensive lineman Logan Ferland came in at #37 among CFL players entering the season. Quarterback Trevor Harris hit the list at #24, and all the way up at #2 was defensive back and special teams' standout Rolan Milligan Jr.
Going back to last season the Roughriders finished with a 9-8-1 record, good for second place in the CFL's West Division behind the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Prone to good starts the last few years, Saskatchewan started the 2024 season 5-1, before going on a seven-week winless streak that included the tie against Ottawa, only to reel off wins in four of their last five games to earn a home playoff game.
After tonight's game the Week 1 schedule continues Friday night in Montreal with the Alouettes hosting the Toronto Argonauts. After that a Saturday doubleheader closes out the week with the Calgary Stampeders hosting the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and the BC Lions playing host to the Edmonton Elks, leaving Winnipeg as the first team with a bye week this season.