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National Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Roughriders 33, Lions 27: Saskatchewan offence strikes early and often to thump B.C.
A dominant performance from quarterback Trevor Harris powered the Saskatchewan Roughriders to 33-27 victory over the B.C. Lions on Saturday. Article content Harris connected on 23 of his 30 passing attempts for 395 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the West Division matchup. Article content Article content Kicker Brett Lauther added four field goals for the Riders (5-1), including a 45-yard strike in the first quarter. Article content There was bad news for Saskatchewan, too, as running back Ka'Deem Carey left the game midway through the third quarter with an apparent leg injury and did not return. Article content Nathan Rourke chalked up 337 passing yards with three TDs for the Lions (3-4). The Canadian QB made good on 27 of his 41 attempts, had one interception and was sacked once. Article content The Riders had 506 yards of net offence across the game, compared to 373 yards for the Lions. Article content Saskatchewan struck early on Saturday, with Harris lobbing a rainbow to Dohnte Meyers deep inside Lions' territory less than five minutes into the game. The American receiver nabbed the ball and darted into the end zone for Saskatchewan's first major of the night. Article content B.C.'s troubles deepened on the next play when Seven McGee fumbled the kickoff return and Riders linebacker Jayden Dalke recovered it at the home side's 38-yard line. Article content Lauther capitalized on the turnover with a 45-yard field goal that boosted Saskatchewan's lead to 10-0 midway through the opening frame. Article content Article content The offensive onslaught continued with Harris sailing a 29-yard pass to Joe Robustelli to put the visitors back in scoring position late in the quarter. The quarterback followed up with a short dish to A.J. Ouellette, who dashed five yards into the end zone. Lauther made the convert and the Riders went up 17-1. Article content B.C.'s offence finally found its footing with just seconds to go in the first. Article content Rourke escaped the pocket and fired a 40-yard pass to Ayden Eberhardt, who stepped over the goal line for the Lions' first TD of the night. Article content The two sides traded field goals in the second quarter, with Lauther connecting on 27- and 41-yard attempts and B.C. kicker Sean Whyte sending a 47-yard kick through the uprights. Saskatchewan headed into the locker room up 23-11. Article content The Riders picked up right where they left off out of the break. Article content Less than four minutes into the third quarter, Harris found Meyers deep in the red zone for a 30-yard touchdown. Article content Saskatchewan's biggest problem of the game came midway through the third when Carey was taken down by Lions linebacker Micah Awe, in a play that left the running back writhing on the turf in obvious discomfort. He was eventually helped off the field by two trainers, putting no weight on his right leg.
CTV News
21-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Alford's 99-yard kickoff return for TD lifts Riders to wild 39-32 win over Argos
Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver Mario Alford (2) runs down the sidelines ahead of Toronto Argonauts defensive back Mark Milton (27) to score a touchdown during second half CFL football action in Toronto Friday, June 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker Mario Alford's 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with nine seconds to play rallied the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a stirring 39-32 win over the ailing Toronto Argonauts on Friday night. Alford's return right came after Toronto's Nick Arbuckle made it 32-32. Arbuckle capped a 70-yard, nine-drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Mital, then found Dejon Brissett for the two-point convert. Arbuckle's heroics came after Brett Lauther missed a 33-yard field goal at 12:58 to put Saskatchewan (3-0) ahead 32-24 and keep Toronto (0-3) in the game. Tommy Stevens' two-yard scoring run at 4:38 put Saskatchewan ahead 31-21. Lirim Hajrullahu's 25-yard field goal at 8:02 pulled Toronto to within 31-24. Saskatchewan's wins have all come against East Division teams. Toronto -- 0-3 for the first time since 2019 -- came into the contest short-handed. Quarterback Chad Kelly (leg) and receiver/returner Janarion Grant both missed their third straight game for Toronto. Joining them among the Argos walking wounded were linebackers Wynton McManis (knee) and Jack Cassar (adductor), running back Deonta McMahon (ankle), receiver DaVaris Daniels (hip), defensive lineman Demarcus Christmas (Achilles) and offensive linemen Sage Doxtater (knee), Dylan Giffen (back) and Darius Ciraco (foot). Then in the first half, Toronto lost linebacker Kenneth George Jr. (leg) and defensive lineman Derek Parish (foot). The contest was a chippy one as the teams combined for 29 penalties for 307 yards (Saskatchewan had 18 for 178 yards, Toronto had 11 for 129 yards) before a BMO Field gathering of 12,025. Brissett and Jarret Doege also scored touchdowns for Toronto. Jake Herslow added a two-point convert, while Hajrullahu booted a convert and three field goals. Dohnte Meyers, with two, and A.J. Ouellette scored Saskatchewan's other touchdowns. Lauther kicked five converts and a field goal. Hajrullahu's 24-yard field goal at 8:42 of the third pulled Toronto to within 24-13. But Doege scored on a one-yard run at 12:59 before Arbuckle hit Herslow for the two-point convert to cut Saskatchewan's lead to 24-21. Harris opened the second half with a 70-yard TD strike to Meyers at 1:16, giving the Riders a 24-10 advantage. Hajrullahu's 56-yard field goal to end the second quarter cut Saskatchewan's halftime lead to 17-10. It followed Saskatchewan's goal-line stand with 56 seconds left as Kevin Brown was stopped at the Riders' one-yard line to end a 17-play, 97-yard drive that took 7:25. Both quarterbacks were sharp as Harris was nine-of-11 passing for 123 yards and a TD, guiding the Riders to 17 points in their first three drives. Arbuckle completed 13-of-16 attempts for 118 yards and a touchdown. Saskatchewan converted five-of-eight second-down chances while Toronto was 7-of-12. But it was a chippy half as the two teams combined for 15 penalties (Saskatchewan eight for 79 yards, Toronto seven for 79 yards) for 158 yards. Lauther gave Saskatchewan a 17-7 advantage with a 16-yard field goal at 1:25. Harris put Saskatchewan ahead 14-7 with a 32-yard TD strike to Meyers at 11:54 of the first. The two-play, 45-yard drive was set up by Alford's 35-yard punt return. Ouellette capped Saskatchewan's 70-yard, six-play opening march with a 25-yard TD run at 8:26. It was Ouellette's first carry of the contest. Arbuckle opened the game completing all six of his passes for 80 yards, the last being a five-yard TD strike to Brissett at 4:50. The score capped a solid 80-yard, nine-play march. UP NEXT Roughriders: Host the B.C. Lions on Saturday, June 28. Argonauts: Visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday, June 29. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
National Post
17-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther 'back to work' after rough outing
Brett Lauther isn't about to make up any excuses. Article content After converting on just two of his five field goal attempts for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in a 28-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday, the 34-year-old kicker wanted to apologize more than anything for his performance. Article content Article content 'It's baffling, it's hard to explain, and just (want to offer) an apology to everyone, really,' Lauther said as the Roughriders returned to practice on Tuesday. 'Because sometimes I don't understand it either.' Article content While Lauther made field goals from 40 and 25 yards on Saturday, he missed from 51, 50 and 29 yards out while also missing a convert. Article content 'It was just me,' said Lauther, who has made 265 of 322 field goals (82.3 per cent) in his career. 'Everyone's trying to cover up other things, and coaches and teammates are unreal, but yeah, that's just on me. Article content 'There's nothing wrong with the hold, snaps, no wind or any issues. None of those were difficult kicks. You got to put those through.' Article content After making his lone field goal attempt in Week 1 against the Ottawa Redblacks, Lauther and the Roughriders were forced to practise indoors all week leading up to the game in Hamilton due to smoky conditions in Regina. Article content While head coach Corey Mace said that the lack of reps due to the low roof indoors could have been a factor, the veteran kicker didn't want to use that as an excuse either. Article content 'It's just coach being a good coach, really,' said Lauther, who reached 1,000 career points while playing in his 100th game as a Roughrider on Saturday. 'He kind of mentioned it to me right after, and that's what I think any good team or any position they're going to say. Article content Article content 'But I've been kicking long enough and for enough years that, I don't think it has any effect and it's not why … I don't have any excuses for what happened. It's solely on me. I don't want anyone else trying to take the blame or anything in the media or publicly, because they're just trying to be a good teammate and good person. Article content 'Really just want to say a quick thanks to everyone here, because every guy came up to me after that game, and there wasn't one negative thing said.' Article content Article content When the Roughriders returned to practice Tuesday, outdoors at Mosaic Stadium, the Nova Scotia product was one of the first on the field ahead of Friday's Week 3 road game against the Toronto Argonauts. Article content 'Just back to work today,' said Lauther, who hadn't missed a convert since Sept. 22, 2023. 'Came in (Monday) on the off day, trying to figure some stuff out, working on a couple little things to try to get the swing back and just feeling better out there, more comfortable and really looking forward to going out Friday and trying to find a way to score points when the guys need it.'
Calgary Herald
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
The Big Question: What will the Saskatchewan Roughriders do about their kicking situation?
Article content After watching Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther miss three of five field goals plus a convert during a 28-23 CFL victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, there's an obvious question facing the team: Article content Short answer: Nothing, Not right away. Lauther has earned the team's confidence. Article content 'We've been through this, so you guys are gonna know my stance on it,' Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said during his postgame media conference. 'That's Brett Lauther. If it looks like it did last year, then we should expect him to be banging these through for the remainder of the season. Article content Article content 'He's his own biggest critic, but we gotta stay positive because we know he's going to get out there — and hopefully get outside — to kick footballs this week. Know what I'm saying? Hopefully the smoke will help.' Article content Article content The Roughriders had three practices to prepare for their Hamilton trip; all three were moved indoors to the Affinity Plex because of poor air quality caused by the smoke from northern Saskatchewan's wildfires. The Affinity Plex roof isn't high enough for kicking practices, nor does the facility have goalposts. Article content If the smoke clears enough, the team will practise outdoors Tuesday and Wednesday at Mosaic Stadium before flying to Toronto for Friday's game against the reigning Grey Cup-champion Argonauts. Before Saturday's victory in Hamilton, Lauther had made 23 straight field goals and missed only once since his last horrific performance. That came during a 27-24 loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Aug. 16, when he missed four of seven attempts, including a last-play, 48-yarder that would have tied the game. Lauther made 28 of his next 29 field goals, with the only miss coming from a next-to-impossible 60 yards on the last play of a 35-33 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sept. 1. Article content Article content During the second quarter in Hamilton, Lauther missed from 51 yards, failed to convert a touchdown that would have tied the game 7-7 and missed a 50-yard field goal on the final play of the first half. He made a 25-yarder in the third quarter and a 40-yarder in the fourth quarter before missing a last-minute attempt from 29 yards that would have put the Roughriders comfortably ahead 31-23. Saskatchewan's defence ultimately stopped Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell by forcing a third-down incompletion at midfield, clinching a 28-23 victory for the Roughriders. Article content Article content In his eighth CFL season, Lauther has made 265 of 322 field goals. That's a respectable 82.3 per cent accuracy rate. Article content The Roughriders tested and discarded two new kickers during training camp, Brian Garrity and Dawson Hodge. There are no extra field-goal kickers on Saskatchewan's practice roster and it's important to note that last year, even during Lauther's struggles, the Roughriders didn't recruit anyone to challenge him.
Ottawa Citizen
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
The Big Question: What will the Saskatchewan Roughriders do about their kicking situation?
Article content After watching Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther miss three of five field goals plus a convert during a 28-23 CFL victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, there's an obvious question facing the team: Article content Short answer: Nothing, Not right away. Lauther has earned the team's confidence. Article content 'We've been through this, so you guys are gonna know my stance on it,' Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said during his postgame media conference. 'That's Brett Lauther. If it looks like it did last year, then we should expect him to be banging these through for the remainder of the season. Article content Article content 'He's his own biggest critic, but we gotta stay positive because we know he's going to get out there — and hopefully get outside — to kick footballs this week. Know what I'm saying? Hopefully the smoke will help.' Article content Article content The Roughriders had three practices to prepare for their Hamilton trip; all three were moved indoors to the Affinity Plex because of poor air quality caused by the smoke from northern Saskatchewan's wildfires. The Affinity Plex roof isn't high enough for kicking practices, nor does the facility have goalposts. Article content If the smoke clears enough, the team will practise outdoors Tuesday and Wednesday at Mosaic Stadium before flying to Toronto for Friday's game against the reigning Grey Cup-champion Argonauts. Before Saturday's victory in Hamilton, Lauther had made 23 straight field goals and missed only once since his last horrific performance. That came during a 27-24 loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Aug. 16, when he missed four of seven attempts, including a last-play, 48-yarder that would have tied the game. Lauther made 28 of his next 29 field goals, with the only miss coming from a next-to-impossible 60 yards on the last play of a 35-33 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sept. 1. Article content Article content During the second quarter in Hamilton, Lauther missed from 51 yards, failed to convert a touchdown that would have tied the game 7-7 and missed a 50-yard field goal on the final play of the first half. He made a 25-yarder in the third quarter and a 40-yarder in the fourth quarter before missing a last-minute attempt from 29 yards that would have put the Roughriders comfortably ahead 31-23. Saskatchewan's defence ultimately stopped Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell by forcing a third-down incompletion at midfield, clinching a 28-23 victory for the Roughriders. Article content Article content The Roughriders tested and discarded two new kickers during training camp, Brian Garrity and Dawson Hodge. There are no extra field-goal kickers on Saskatchewan's practice roster and it's important to note that last year, even during Lauther's struggles, the Roughriders didn't recruit anyone to challenge him.
