The Labour Day Classic lived up to its name this weekend.
In the 60th edition of the game, it was the Saskatchewan Roughriders who came out on top, defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34-30.
Saskatchewan remains in first place in the Western Division with the victory.
Following a scoreless first quarter, it was the Blue Bombers that got on the scoreboard first as Brady Oliveira ran it from five yards out.
A Sergio Castillo field extended the lead to double digits before the green and white responded.
AJ Ouellette found the end zone with a seven-yard run to cut the deficit to three.
Before the end of the first half, the Roughriders got the big play they were looking for as quarterback Trevor Harris connected with Tommy Nield with a 69-yard pass to give Saskatchewan their first lead of the game.
Brett Lauther opened the scoring in the second half with a 34-yard field goal.
Winnipeg tied the game as ex-Rider Nic Demski hauled in a 22-yard reception to even up the score at 17-17.
The green and white regained the lead late in the third quarter as Mario Anderson scored his first career touchdown. Lauther’s convert attempt went wide as the Roughriders led by six heading into the final quarter.
Anderson scored his second touchdown of the game on a five-yard run, a successful two-point conversion extended the Roughriders advantage to 14 points.
The Blue Bomber struck back with a 33-yard touchdown grab from Keric Wheatfall.
Then the game took a turn, as Harris made a different contribution through the air, as he was able to deliver a 43-yard punt that forced a single point, after being ruled a safety, as Saskatchewan led by eight points.
It seemed like the Roughriders were well on their way to victory, but a fumble by returner Mario Alford gave the Blue Bombers some life with possession near midfield.
In his first game back from injury, Dalton Schoen scored a touchdown with only 30 seconds remaining, as Winnipeg lined up to tie the game.
Cornerback Tevaughn Campbell denied the Blue Bombers attempt to draw even, as he returned the interception in the end zone and ran it back all the way to the Blue Bombers end zone, to give Saskatchewan a four-point lead.
There was almost more dramatics as the ensuing kickoff, at first glance, it appeared Castillo recovered the kickoff, but it was determined that the Roughriders recovered, ensuring a Roughriders win.
Harris was 17 for 27 with 219 passing yards with a touchdown. Ouellette had 89 yards on the ground with a touchdown with Anderson Jr adding 34 with a pair of touchdowns.
Saskatchewan’s pass rush had five sacks, led by Malik Carney who had two sacks.
Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros had 326 passing yards with three touchdowns and an interception.
The Roughriders will have the chance to win the season series against their prairie rivals on Saturday in the rematch between the two clubs in Winnipeg.
Since the Calgary Stampeders won on Monday, Saskatchewan only leads Calgary by two points for top spot in the division.