The Labour Day Classic certainly delivered excitement as the Saskatchewan Roughriders triumphed over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with a nail-biting 32-26 overtime win in a contest that showcased a bit of everything.
In front of a packed house of 34,352 fans, the largest attendance for a CFL match at Mosaic Stadium, the Bombers tied the game in the dying moments of the fourth quarter when quarterback Zach Collaros threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Dorian Singer.
The Roughriders kicked off the overtime with a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Tommy Stevens, marking his third touchdown of the game and bringing his season total to 15 rushing touchdowns.
Nevertheless, the Riders’ attempt for a two-point conversion fell short, leaving the Bombers with a chance to respond.
In the end, the Roughriders clinched the win by stopping the Bombers on a crucial third-and-six from the Saskatchewan 31-yard line.
Quarterback Trevor Harris of Saskatchewan, who completed 23 of 33 passes for 362 yards and one touchdown, admitted that the team’s slow start made things more challenging. Despite this, they managed to secure a vital win against a tough rival.
“This win is obviously significant. It’s crucial for us to secure these victories at this stage of the season,” Harris commented. “We are missing some key players, and the fact that we can push through and achieve these wins is incredibly important for us.
“Our offensive start wasn’t stellar, but I felt we found our rhythm from the middle of the second quarter onward. We did a good job of keeping the ball moving and giving our defense a chance to rest. We need to work on starting games faster and making positive plays early on.”
Saskatchewan Roughriders fans celebrate after a touchdown during the second half of Sunday night’s game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in Regina on Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026. (Kayle Neis/The Canadian Press)
With this win, the Roughriders improved their record to 8-4, positioning them in second place in the West Division, just behind the Edmonton Elks, who hold an 8-3 record ahead of their Monday matchup against the Stampeders in Calgary. The Bombers fell to 6-6 following their loss on Sunday.
Due to injuries keeping receivers Samuel Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker off the field, Dhel Duncan-Busby seized the opportunity to deliver a standout performance. In his third year with the Riders, Duncan-Busby recorded 10 receptions for 140 yards, including several key catches in the fourth quarter.
Duncan-Busby, who has achieved a career-high 35 receptions for 504 yards this season, has been preparing to take full advantage of his playing time.
“I just knew I needed to be patient. We’ve got a fantastic receiving group, but with all the injuries, others have had to step up, and I’m just thankful that today was my opportunity,” Duncan-Busby stated.
The Saskatchewan defense followed suit with the offense, making significant plays at critical moments.
“The offense set the tone. They got us going, scoring points and reaching the end zone. Our job was just to finish the task,” remarked linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr., who was making his CFL debut.
“Coach [Corey] Mace and Coach [Joshua] Bell always appreciate that. Our primary focus is to execute our defense and ensure we come out victorious.”
Miller, Derick Roberson, and Seyi Oladipo each contributed sacks for Saskatchewan, which restricted Bombers running back Brady Oliveira to just 28 yards on nine carries, despite him entering the game with 956 rushing yards.
Harris surpassed Doug Flutie for the 10th position on the CFL’s all-time passing list with a 72-yard completion to Daniel Wiebe early in the second quarter. Harris came into the game with 41,228 passing yards, needing 127 yards to catch Flutie, who achieved 41,355 passing yards.
Harris felt it was fitting that the pass moving him past Flutie was a simple play that succeeded thanks to an impressive effort from a teammate.
“It’s honestly poetic because it’s like a turtle on a fence post—if you see a turtle there, it didn’t get there by itself. Someone put it there, and that’s exactly how I feel right now,” Harris expressed.
“I’ve had teammates who have only supported and cared for me, and coaches who have only taught me the game. I’m extremely thankful for the chances I’ve had. (That play) was just a quick out, my first read, and he was ready to go. When they attempted to tackle him, he kept his balance and ran for about 70 yards. I was just hoping he would score, but it was pretty remarkable.”
After throwing for 362 yards on Sunday, Harris now has a total of 41,590 passing yards, trailing Matt Dunigan, who is in ninth place with 43,857 yards. Anthony Calvillo holds the record for all-time passing yards with 79,816 yards.
Saskatchewan’s KeeSean Johnson caught four passes for 32 yards, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the second consecutive season. He currently has 81 receptions for 1,022 yards, following his total of 1,159 yards on 86 catches in 2025.
Collaros completed 27 of 40 passes for 279 yards and threw two touchdowns, with Kevens Clercius and Singer each catching a touchdown pass for Winnipeg.
Quali Conley caught a touchdown pass for the Riders, while Roberson added a safety.
Sergio Castillo made four field goals for the Bombers, while Alex Hale successfully converted one of three attempts for the Riders.
UP NEXT
Blue Bombers: Will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Roughriders: Will travel to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday, Sept. 12.