CFL, Football, 1st Half, Jermarcus HARDRICK (52) Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Hamilton Tiger Cats at Mosaic Stadium on Aug 16, 2025...Photographed by: Arthur Ward
Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick is preparing to oppose an assortment of former Winnipeg Blue Bombers teammates in Sunday’s Labour Day Classic.
A decade ago, Hardrick was poised to meet the Blue Bombers — and many future comrades.
Hardrick made his debut for the Roughriders on Sept. 6, 2015, when the home side defeated Winnipeg 37-19 at historic Mosaic Stadium.
“It was a great day,” Hardrick said with a smile on Friday. “I still have memories from that day. That was our first win of the year.
“Everyone said when I first got here that ‘the only thing that matters is Labour Day.’ I didn’t know what it meant in 2015, but after being in the league for 10 or 11 years, I know what it means now.
“I’m blessed to still be able to play the game.”
And to do so at a high level.
Hardrick’s sterling play at right tackle has helped Saskatchewan enjoy an 8-2 start to the 2025 season.
Next up: A home-and-home set with Winnipeg, which enters Sunday’s game at 6-4.
Hardrick, a Blue Bomber from 2016 to 2023, was a cornerstone of a Winnipeg offensive line that helped the team advance to four Grey Cup Games and win two.
He was an All-CFL selection in 2021 and 2023. In the latter season, he was also named the West Division’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
“Yoshi,” as he is nicknamed, signed with Saskatchewan as a free agent on Feb. 13, 2024. He proceeded to help the Roughriders enjoy a 4-0 start before suffering a season-ending quad injury in the fifth game.
Having returned with a flourish in 2025, he is about to face Winnipeg for the first time as a second-time Roughrider.
One of his primary responsibilities will be to neutralize Willie Jefferson, one of the CFL’s premier pass rushers.
“He’s a great husband, great father, great friend,” Hardrick said. “My kids call him ‘Uncle,’ so he’s a great uncle.
“Me and Willie are close. It’s weird going against somebody who I really love, just like I love a lot of guys here.
“It’s weird that we still talk all the time and we’re about to go against each other, but I’m looking forward to it.
“I don’t want to think about it. I just know I’m going to have my guys’ backs. When I look over there, I’m going to try to take the number and the name off of him.
“I can’t think about him as a junior uncle. I can’t think about him as a guy who showed up to the hospital when I had my kids. I’ve just got to think of him as the opponent.
“Major respect to everyone over there. Let’s do it in green.”
ROUGHRIDERS 41, BOMBERS 40!
Until last year, the Roughriders and Blue Bombers were in a dead heat when it came to the number of quarterbacks who had thrown at least one pass in a Labour Day Classic.
Trevor Harris snapped the 40-40 tie last year and put Saskatchewan up by one — a slight edge the Roughriders maintain heading into Sunday.
Zach Collaros, the Blue Bombers’ starting signal-caller since late in the 2019 season, is one of seven quarterbacks to have attempted at least one pass for both teams in a Classic.
The select septet also includes Michael Bishop, Tom Burgess, John Hufnagel, Kevin Glenn, Reggie Slack and Drew Willy.
Steven Jyles was a backup quarterback for Saskatchewan in the 2008 and 2009 Classics but did not see action in either game. He called signals for Winnipeg in a relief role in 2010.
Excluded from both teams’ lists is Ryan Dinwiddie, who dressed as a backup for five Classics without throwing a single pass.
The Toronto Argonauts’ current Head Coach was with Winnipeg from 2006 to 2008 before spending two seasons (2010 and 2011) in Saskatchewan.
Glenn started for Winnipeg in five consecutive Classics (2004 to 2008).
Darian Durant got the nod for Saskatchewan seven times (2009 to 2014, plus 2016).
TOP 20 FOR HUS
On Sunday, long snapper Jorgen Hus will ascend into the top 20 on the Roughriders’ Labour Day Classic games-played list.
Giving him credit in advance for a ninth game against Winnipeg, here is where he ranks:
16 — Gene Makowsky
15 — Roger Aldag
14 — Dave Ridgway
13 — Ray Elgaard
13 — Chris Szarka
12 — Mike Anderson
12 — Don Narcisse
11 — Jeremy O’Day
11 — Dan Rashovich
11 — Glen Suitor
10 — Darian Durant
10 — Dan Farthing
10 — Bobby Jurasin
10 — Paul McCallum
10 — Mike McCullough
10 — Omarr Morgan
10 — Bob Poley
10 — Vic Stevenson
9 — Jorgen Hus
9 — Eddie Lowe
Aldag, Makowsky and Ron Lancaster each played in 16 Labour Day weekend home games, including visits by a team other than Winnipeg, and are tied for the lead in that category.
Hardrick is about to play in his ninth Classic, including time spent with the Roughriders and Blue Bombers.
WEATHER WATCH
Sunday’s forecast for Regina calls for a high in the 30s.
If the prediction pans out, it would be the Roughriders’ sixth Labour Day weekend game with a temperature of 30 or higher.
Even with a high of 29, the 2025 game would crack the top 10:
34° — Sept. 3, 2023 (Saskatchewan 32, Winnipeg 30 in OT).
32° — Sept. 6, 1976 (Saskatchewan 17, B.C. 14).
32° — Sept. 1, 1991 (Saskatchewan 56, Winnipeg 23).
32° — Sept. 6, 2009 (Saskatchewan 29, Winnipeg 14).
31° — Sept. 4, 1978 (Winnipeg 31, Saskatchewan 29).
29° — Sept. 4, 1967 (Saskatchewan 18, Edmonton 6).
29° — Sept. 6, 1968 (Saskatchewan 35, B.C. 14).
29° — Sept. 2, 1990 (Saskatchewan 55, Winnipeg 11).
29° — Sept. 5, 2001 (Winnipeg 23, Saskatchewan 8).
29° — Sept. 4, 2022 (Winnipeg 20, Saskatchewan 18).
