The frustration was palpable inside TD Place Stadium last Friday night. Ottawa football fans watched their playoff hopes dim further as the Saskatchewan Roughriders snapped a seven-game losing streak with a crucial 29-21 victory over the Redblacks.
I’ve spent the past decade covering CFL matchups across the country, and you could feel the weight of this game hanging in the Ottawa air. With the regular season winding down, both teams arrived desperate – Saskatchewan to salvage pride, Ottawa to keep postseason dreams alive.
“We needed this one badly,” Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris told me after completing 26 of 36 passes for 290 yards. “The guys showed incredible resilience through this stretch. Nobody quit on each other.”
The win improved Saskatchewan to 5-9-1, offering a glimmer of hope in what has been a disappointing campaign after a promising 4-2 start. Meanwhile, Ottawa slipped to 7-7-1, further complicating their playoff math in a competitive East Division.
Saskatchewan’s defense proved the difference maker, forcing three turnovers including a game-changing interception by Rolan Milligan Jr. that shifted momentum midway through the third quarter. Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown struggled to find rhythm, completing just 18 of 31 passes while facing consistent pressure.
“We created opportunities but couldn’t capitalize,” said Ottawa head coach Bob Dyce. “In this league, you can’t leave points on the field and expect to win.”
For Saskatchewan, Samuel Emilus emerged as Harris’ favorite target, hauling in eight catches for 112 yards. His 31-yard reception on a critical third-quarter drive silenced the Ottawa crowd and set up a Brett Lauther field goal that pushed the Roughriders’ lead to eight points.
Ottawa’s Justin Hardy led all Redblacks receivers with 86 yards, but the home team’s ground attack never established itself against a determined Roughriders front seven. Saskatchewan controlled the line of scrimmage for much of the contest, allowing running back AJ Ouellette to grind out 98 hard-earned yards.
The game wasn’t without controversy. A questionable offensive pass interference call nullified an Ottawa touchdown in the fourth quarter that would have tied the game. Redblacks fans erupted in boos as officials conferred before confirming the penalty.
“I’ll need to review the tape before commenting on that call,” Dyce said diplomatically in his post-game press conference, though his tense expression suggested deeper frustration.
According to CFL playoff scenarios released this week, Ottawa now likely needs to win at least two of their remaining three games to secure a postseason berth. Their schedule offers little comfort – they face division leaders Toronto and Montreal before closing against Hamilton.
Saskatchewan’s path remains even more daunting. While mathematically alive in the West Division playoff race, they would need multiple outcomes to fall their way, starting with next week’s home matchup against Calgary.
“We’re not counting ourselves out,” Saskatchewan head coach Corey Mace insisted. “This group has character. We’ll keep fighting until they tell us we can’t anymore.”
The atmosphere at TD Place reflected the stakes – 22,341 fans braved cooling autumn temperatures, creating a sea of red and black that fell increasingly quiet as Saskatchewan built their lead. By the final whistle, the small but vocal section of Rider green celebrated with their team, a rare bright spot in a challenging season.
For both teams, the 2024 campaign represents significant transition. Saskatchewan continues rebuilding after the departure of longtime quarterback Cody Fajardo two seasons ago. Ottawa, meanwhile, hoped to build on last year’s return to playoff form after missing the postseason in four of the previous five years.
From my vantage point in the press box, I couldn’t help but note the contrast with previous Roughrider visits to the capital. The once-dominant green machine now celebrates regular-season wins with the hunger of a team rediscovering its identity. Ottawa, despite their improved record, showed the inconsistency that has plagued them throughout this campaign.
As players exited the field, veteran Saskatchewan defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. paused to share perspective on the team’s difficult stretch.
“Seven straight losses tests everything about you as a professional,” he said. “Your pride, your focus, your belief in the system. Tonight wasn’t just about the win – it was about proving to ourselves that we’re still the team we believe we can be.”
According to the latest CFL playoff projections from 3DownNation, Ottawa’s postseason chances dropped from 68% to 51% following Friday’s defeat. Those numbers will weigh heavily on a Redblacks organization that has invested significantly in roster improvements over the past two seasons.
The two teams won’t meet again this regular season, but a crossover playoff scenario remains possible – though increasingly unlikely following Friday’s result.
As October approaches in the CFL calendar, every game now carries playoff implications. While Saskatchewan’s win may prove too late to salvage their season, it served as a reminder of the league’s competitive balance. For Ottawa, the path forward remains in their control, but their margin for error has vanished.
Sometimes in Canadian football, the most revealing moments come not in championship games but in these late-season contests where character is tested. On a cool autumn night in Ottawa, Saskatchewan finally found the resilience that had eluded them for nearly two months. Whether Ottawa can rediscover theirs may define the remainder of this CFL season.
