as the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the BC Lions in CFL action in Saskatoon, SK, June 28, 2025. Photo Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards
Say hello to a bye week.
Say goodbye to late-fourth-quarter stress — at least for now.
After three consecutive down-to-the-wire games, the Corey Mace-coached Saskatchewan Roughriders improved their CFL-best record to 4-0 by posting a convincing 37-18 victory over the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium.
Saturday’s point differential (19) exceeded Saskatchewan’s combined margin of victory (17) over its previous three contests.
Rest assured, though, that the “S” on the helmet does not stand for “Satisfied.”
“I think the best part about it is, yes, we are 4-and-0, but we still haven’t played our best game from start to finish,” quarterback Jake Maier said on Saturday after his first start as a Roughrider.
“Coach Mace laid it out to us in the locker room after the game that there are little things — things that championship teams do and don’t do. I think he made it very clear what he loved about tonight and he made it very clear about what he didn’t love.
“I think it’s a really good sign when your culture is talking about those things, even when things are going well for you.”
Subsequently, Mace met the media — on the third birthday of his fine son, Micah — and went through a lengthy list of likes and dislikes, eventually reaching the point of exasperation.
“Defensively, I think there’s still a ton of stuff we’ve got to pick up,” the second-year Roughriders field boss said. “Offensively, there’s our efficiency and just being able to finish.”
Saskatchewan, which scored two offensive touchdowns, was 1-for-3 in the red zone.
The one touchdown from close in was courtesy of a nine-yard run by A.J. Ouellette, who rushed 23 times for a career-high 139 yards and helped Saskatchewan dominate the time of possession (38:35).
“He got the game ball offensively,” Mace noted, “and gave it to the offensive line.
“I’m extremely happy for him and super happy for the offensive line. They know that they work in tandem. It was awesome to see.”
Saskatchewan amassed 188 rushing yards even though left guard Trevon Tate left the game with an arm injury late in the second quarter. Zack Fry stepped in for Tate, who was wearing a sling after the game, and performed admirably.
So did Brett Lauther, who went 5-for-5 on field-goal attempts after a 4-for-8 start to the season.
Ditto for Joe Couch, who launched some moon shots en route to averaging 50.1 yards per punt.
Let’s not forget Dhel Duncan Busby, whose first CFL touchdown resulted from a 42-yard, fourth-quarter connection with Maier.
“That ball he threw to Dhel was gorgeous,” Mace marvelled. “It was unbelievable.”
The same description applies to a diving interception by Antoine Brooks Jr., whose first CFL pick came in his first regular-season game in slightly more than a year.
“There’s just certain people, certain personalities,” Mace began. “He has been through so much — on the field, off the field — and he’ll show up the majority of the time with his personality.
“He’s literally constantly laughing, joking with his teammates. He works so hard to even give a look to the offence in scout team (situations) and he’s just waiting his time.
“For him to have that moment, I was so happy for him. I love a lot of people, obviously, in that room, but he’s certainly one of them.
“The reaction you saw from the team certainly speaks to that kid’s character and what he means to his locker room and this organization.
“And it was a hell of a play. Man … awesome for Brooksie.”
But — and there’s always a “but” from a head coach who never wants to let the foot off the gas — there are issues that still require addressing.
Even at 4-0.
Even when 4-0 was also the Roughriders’ advantage in turnovers on Saturday.
Even after winning by 19 points against a West Division foe.
There are, once again, penalties. Too many penalties.
Ten of them, on Saturday night, for 136 yards.
The Lions were flagged more frequently — 14 times — and no infraction was costlier than an illegal-procedure call that went against the visitors after they had advanced to the one-yard line late in the third quarter.
Suddenly, second-and-one became second-and-six. Following an incompletion, the Lions settled for a 13-yard Sean Whyte field goal that pared Saskatchewan’s lead to 23-10.
Had the Lions scored a TD and followed up with a two-point conversion, it would have been 23-15 and a one-possession game.
Mace, however, is concerned with his own team’s recent propensity for penalties.
After being penalized 18 times for 178 yards in a 39-32 victory over the host Toronto Argonauts on June 20th, the Roughriders encountered some relapses on Saturday.
Although the game was out of hand by the time the Lions’ James Butler scored on a four-yard run and added a two-point convert at 12:51 of the fourth quarter, it was concerning to see that 40 of the Lions’ 73 yards on that scoring march resulted from Saskatchewan penalties. That was after the Roughriders were flagged for unnecessary roughness on a Lions kickoff return.
“I’m really trying to flush it, man,” Mace said while wincing. “I’m just so upset about that.
“That is certainly an area we have to get better at. That was B.S., so I’m trying not to let it ruin the day.
“But, gawwwwwd, I was upset! I still am. I’m trying hard to let it go.”
In a valiant attempt to cheer up the Head Coach, I brought up the Roughriders’ 4-0 record — I am Mr. Sunshine, you know — and asked about its significance, importance, et cetera.
“We’re happy because we found a way to win this week,” Mace replied. “We know for a fact that being 4-and-0 isn’t equal to what we want to accomplish.
“Hey, we’ve got a bye this week, so we don’t have to go 1-and-0.”
Bye for now.
