It was a tough weekend all-around for the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they suffered their first loss in 2025 against the Calgary Stampeders with a 24-10 loss.
The game was originally supposed to be played on Friday night but was postponed following a three-and-a-half-hour delay to Saturday afternoon due to poor air quality from the smoke of the northern wildfires.
With limited hotel space in Regina due to Country Thunder in Craven, the Stampeders were forced to stay in dorms at the University of Regina.
Everyone was expecting the Roughriders to have a clear advantage, but in the end, it was the Stampeders who were in control.
Saskatchewan was unable to capitalize on a couple of Calgary mistakes early in the game. AJ Allen intercepted Vernon Adams Jr pass, giving the green and white instant field position. An ensuing two-and-out from the offence led to Brett Lauther opening the scoring with a field goal.
The Stampeders began moving the ball on their second drive, but a Dedrick Mills fumble was recovered by the Roughriders. Once again, Saskatchewan was unable to create points off the turnover.
Calgary’s first touchdown of the game came late in the first quarter as Damien Alford hauled in a 21-yard reception.
In the second quarter, the Stampeders provided all the scoring. Erik Brooks provided the exclamation point with a touchdown with eight seconds remaining in the half.
Saskatchewan started strong in the second half. Joe Robustelli collected his first touchdown as a Rider, cutting the deficit down to seven points.
But Alford provided the dagger with his second touchdown of the game, this time an 81-yard reception.
Neither scored in the final quarter, making the final 24-10.
It was a career day for Alford with six catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Adams Jr had 428 passing yards with three touchdown passes.
Robustelli was the star for Saskatchewan on Saturday, with 11 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown.
Trevor Harris had 425 passing yards with a touchdown.
With their first loss of the year, Saskatchewan drops to a first-place tie with Calgary, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers only two points.
This week, the Roughriders will travel west to meet the BC Lions, who are also two points back of Saskatchewan.