The 2025 C-F-L season started off with a bang in the Queen City with the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeating the Ottawa REDBLACKS 31-26 in a thrilling opener, led by Trevor Harris who completed 19-of-26 passes for two touchdowns and 277 yards. Many Riders had memorable nights, but maybe none more than running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon, who had two touchdowns after A.J. Ouellette went down with an injury early.
The Riders won the coin toss and deferred to the second quarter, giving Ottawa the first possession of the game. 11 plays later, Dustin Crum scored the first touchdown of the season on a quarterback sneak, giving Ottawa an early 7-0 lead. Saskatchewan would enter field goal range during their first possession, but a fumble from Joe Couch resulted in some hesitation from kicker Brett Lauther and no points scored. Later in the quarter, Samuel Emilus hauled in a pass from Trevor Harris, but Ottawa’s Adrian Frye punched the ball loose and recovered the fumble. Saskatchewan marched the ball downfield to end the first quarter at the one-yard line, where Tommy Stevens scored on a quarterback sneak for the Riders’ first major of the season, tying the game.
Later in the second quarter, Trevor Harris put together another solid drive which resulted in a Samuel Emilus touchdown and a 14-7 lead for the Green and White. Brett Lauther would kick an 18-yard field goal in the final minutes of the second to extend the lead 17-7. It wasn’t all positive news for the Riders in the first half as Kian Schaffer-Baker, A.J. Ouellette, and Rolan Milligan Jr. all left with injuries and did not return for the second half.
Saskatchewan’s opening possession of the third quarter was one of their best, even with the early injury troubles. Trevor Harris led the team down field where Thomas Bertrand-Hudon, now at running back, scored his first touchdown of the game to extend the lead to 24-7. Ottawa responded with an impressive drive of their own with 10 plays down the field and Eugene Lewis just breaking the plain, ending Saskatchewan’s 24 straight point run and cutting the lead down to 24-14. Back-and-forth action continued with Bertrand-Hudson rushing in for his second touchdown of the quarter, giving the Roughriders a 31-14 lead.
Like Saskatchewan at the end of the first, Ottawa marched the ball downfield to the eight-yard line to end the quarter, and they wouldn’t be denied as the fourth began with William Stanback bringing Ottawa within 11 points. The deficit could’ve been 10, but a rare fumble and missed extra point opportunity from Lewis Ward cost the REDBLACKS the extra point. The offence for Saskatchewan struggled to find some ground in the fourth with back-to-back two and outs. Ottawa continued to climb the hill thanks to Dru Brown connecting with Justin Hardy for a huge touchdown cutting the lead once again, this time 31-26. Ottawa went for the two-point convert but was unsuccessful. Disaster almost struck again for Saskatchewan when KeeSean Johnson, trying to gain extra yards, fumbled the ball and gave Ottawa excellent field position. The defense would respond hugely, in particular Jameer Thurman with a quarterback sack that would help begin to seal the win for Saskatchewan. Malik Carney added another sack for the defense before Ottawa turned the ball over on third down, their final possession of the game. The game was best described by head coach Corey Mace, saying it may not have been pretty, but they’re happy with the win. Below is postgame media scrum audio with quarterback Trevor Harris and head coach Corey Mace, plus some game stats courtesy of the C-F-L…
Postgame Media Scrum with Trevor Harris:
Postgame Media Scrum with H-C Corey Mace:
STATS – TEAM
YDS – ATT / AVG – Passing OTT 413-41/10.1 SSK 277-26/10.7
YDS – ATT / AVG – Rushing OTT 30-14/2.1 SSK 89-19/4.7
YDS – NO Team Losses OTT 45-4 SSK 0-0
YDS – Plays / AVG – Net Offence – OTT 398-59/6.7 SSK 366-46/8
Rush – Pass – PEN First Down OTT 16-6-2 SSK 13-6-3
NO – YDS – Sacks for OTT 0-0 SSK 4-45
ATT – Made / PCT – Second Down OTT 25-15/58.3 SSK 16-8/50
FUM – INT – DNS Giveaways OTT 0-0-1 SSK 2-1-0
FUM – LST Fumbles OTT 0-0 SSK 4-2
NO – YDS Penalties OTT 12-126 SSK 5-85
OPP – TDS Red Zone OTT 3-3/100 SSK 4-5/80
Tackles for Loss OTT 1 SSK 1
Blocked Kicks OTT 0 SSK 0
NO – YDS Interception Returns OTT 1-0 SSK 0-0
NO – YDS Fumbles Return OTT 0-0 SSK 4-0
ATT – Made – LG Field Goals OTT 1-0-0 SSK 1-1-18
NO – YDS / AVG Punting OTT 6-266/44.3 SSK 5-181/36.2
NO – YDS / AVG Punt Returns OTT 4-26/6.5 SSK 5-45/9
NO – YDS / AVG Kickoff Returns OTT 5-96/19.2 SSK 5-139/27.8
NO – YDS FGM Returns OTT 0-0 SSK 1-60
Time of Possession OTT 34:59 SSK 25:01
STATS – PLAYER
QB – Trevor Harris (19-for-26 for 277 Yards and 2 Touchdowns)
RB – Thomas Bertrand-Hudon (14 Carries for 57 Yards and 1 Touchdown, 2-for-2 for 17 Yards and 1 Touchdown)
WR – Samuel Emilus (8-for-8 for 133 Yards and 1 Touchdown)
LB – Jameer Thurman (10 Tackles and 1 Sack)
DE – Malik Carney (4 Tackles and 2 Sacks)
