REGINA — With first place in their pocket, the Saskatchewan Roughriders remain focused on the big prize.
The Riders clinched first place in the CFL West Division on Friday with a 27-19 victory over the Toronto Argonauts. The win improves Saskatchewan's record to 12-4 and the top spot means the Riders will host the Western Division final in Regina on Nov. 8. The Argos, who were eliminated after the season ended last week, dropped to 5-12.
“Obviously you want to maximize the regular season and that's been done. But now we get a bonus, three weeks to improve and get ourselves in the mindset to be who we need to be on Nov. 8,” said Trevor Harris, who completed 23 of 29 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns.
“So we'll just continue to focus day by day and make sure that we improve so that we are that team for the day.”
The Riders will close out the regular season with a road game at Winnipeg on Oct. 17 and a home game against British Columbia on Oct. 25. The West semi-finals will take place on October 1st and the winner of that competition will travel to Regina for the West finals on October 8th.
Saskatchewan head coach Corey Mace reflected on how the team will use the next four weeks to prepare for the postseason.
“I think that's going to be the biggest benefit if you have a tight timeline to be able to get some guys back (from injury) and see what that looks like. Having a plan and the way we execute it and move forward, there are some benefits,” Mays said.
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“But we've seen it over the years where it hasn't benefited people. So it's just about how you do business and we'll strive to make sure it delivers. And hopefully come playoff time we'll be back as strong as we can be.”
The Argos, who will conclude their regular season Oct. 18 in Calgary against the Stampeders, gave the Riders almost more than they could handle on Friday night.
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The outcome of the game was still uncertain as the fourth quarter came to a close. After a failed Argos third-down play at the Saskatchewan 25-yard line, the Riders took over with four minutes left in the fourth quarter, holding a 24-19 lead. The Riders attacked right away, with fullback Samuel Emilus making a circus catch down the sideline for a 44-yard gain.
The Argos then appeared to have stopped the Riders on a third-down play at the Toronto 34-yard line with 2:30 remaining. The play was initially called without a first down, but Mays challenged the point of the ball.
Riders quarterback Jack Coan appeared to be stopped before the first down, but the CFL command center ruled the spot was incorrect. The renewed space was enough for a first down.
Four plays later, with the ball at Toronto's 14-yard line and 1:09 left in the game, Riders kicker Brett Lauter sealed the win with his fifth field goal of the game.
Lauter, who is in his seventh season with the Riders, is struggling in 2025. He entered Friday's game 32 of 50 on field goal attempts and was returning to the lineup after missing last week's game in Ottawa, where Campbell Fair handled kicking duties.
Mace mentioned that when Lauter received the game ball after the game, his teammates erupted in the locker room.
“These guys are the best here. Nobody in the room ever had any doubts,” Lauter said. “Everything we need, we have here. We know what we can do this year and what we can do, what we're capable of. Everyone has their ups and downs, but these guys have stuck with me from the beginning.”
Argos defenseman Jarrett Doege, starting in place of the injured Nick Arbuckle, played well in just his third CFL start. Five minutes before the end of the half, Doge hit the back of his head on the turf during a tackle. Although he returned to the Argos squad, Doge was removed from the game by a CFL injury specialist to be evaluated by medical personnel.
On Toronto's next possession, Doge was hit hard by Riders linebacker Mike Rose, who was penalized on the play for roughing the passer. Dodge was cared for by Argos medical staff before leaving the field. He was replaced by Tucker Horn but returned in the second half.
Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie was impressed with Doege's effort.
“I thought he played hard. He had a lot of late hits. They hit him in the head a few times. He was in concussion protocol, but he didn't have one. He got beat up, but I thought he played hard,” Dinwiddie said.
Joe Robustelli and Tommy Nield scored touchdowns for the Riders.
Doege completed 20 of 31 passes for 221 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Liram Hajrullahu continued his excellent season with four field goals. He has made 55 of 60 field goals this season, ten of which were from 50 yards or more.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
