OTTAWA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders held off the Ottawa Redblacks Friday night, grinding out a 20-13 win to snap their two-game losing skid and get back in the win column.
The loss officially eliminated the Redblacks (4-11) from CFL playoff contention with three weeks left in their schedule.
Neither team had its best performance, but the Roughriders found a way to win, something that has eluded the Redblacks for much of the season.
“It wasn’t pretty,” said Roughriders coach Corey Mace. “But we set a goal for the week, and however you cut it, we accomplished it. Feels good to be back in the win category.”
Once again turnovers and penalties proved to be the downfall for the Redblacks.
Dru Brown, who started for Ottawa, had three interceptions before being replaced by Dustin Crum early in the third quarter. Brown went 11-for-20 for 141 yards.
“It’s sometimes in situations you’ve got to get a spark right,” said Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce, when asked about pulling Brown. “Had to get something going.”
Crum, who finished the night 12-for-16 for 99 yards and one touchdown, did his best to ignite a comeback but fell short.
Ottawa trailed 14-3 to start the fourth quarter and on the first play Saskatchewan QB Trevor Harris — who finished 27-for-33 and 341 yards and one touchdown — extended the Riders lead when he found Dohnte Meyers for a 66-yard touchdown pass. The Roughriders failed to convert the extra point, making it 20-3.
The Redblacks showed some desperation converting three third-down gambles before Crum found Justin Hardy for a nine-yard touchdown, making it 20-10 with 7:52 to play.
Things looked grim for Ottawa when Harris drove the Roughriders to the five-yard line, but Davion Taylor forced Harris to bobble the ball and Bryce Carter ran it back 81 yards to Saskatchewan’s 17. The Redblacks had to settle for a 26-yard field goal from Lewis Ward, to trail 20-13 but couldn’t get any closer.
“Obviously, it’s disappointing that was our goal coming out of training camp,” said Dyce, about not advancing to the post-season. “Get in the playoffs, host a playoff game and those things. Life is full of challenging situations and when you don’t achieve a goal it’s disappointing and I don’t think there’s anyone in that locker room that’s not disappointed like I am.”
The Roughriders return home and will host the Toronto Argonauts next Friday.
“I was just happy to see us bounce back and be able to respond to adversity,” said Harris. “There was never a flinch from this team, which is kind of the mark of championship teams. When you go through lows, you never flinch.”
Once again, the Redblacks faltered in the first quarter and failed to score for the eighth game this season, forcing them to play from behind yet again. They were nearly shutout in the second quarter but managed to pick up a 25-yard field goal in the final minute of the half.
“It’s hard to pinpoint one thing for that,” said Crum. “We just have to come out and do a better job executing early and often. I think at times it takes us too long to settle into the game.”
Saskatchewan completed a 12-play drive on its first possession that culminated with A.J. Ouellette scoring from the one-yard line to take a 6-0 lead.
Things didn’t start well in the second quarter after Brown threw an interception on the first snap and Antoine Brooks Jr. returned it 85 yards for a touchdown. The Roughriders capitalized by adding a two-point conversion to go up 14-0.
Just when it seemed the Redblacks had seized momentum with an impressive 97-yard punt return touchdown from Kalil Pimpleton, the celebration was cut short by an illegal block that negated the play.
“You know, it’s sad, it’s disappointing,” said Pimpleton. “But at the end of the day, you know, this is the reality. This is where we are and with three games left, there’s still room for improvement.”
UP NEXT
Roughriders: Host the Toronto Argonauts on Friday, Oct. 10.
Redblacks: Visit the Montreal Alouettes on Monday, Oct. 13.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 3, 2025.
Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press
