Brett Lauther’s flawless performance on five field goal attempts propelled the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 21-13 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the Banjo Bowl on Saturday. Lauther, who had a previous field goal success rate of 65.7%, converted kicks from distances of 20, 35 (twice), 41, and 33 yards, with only one missed convert.
The victory elevated the Roughriders to a leading CFL record of 10-2, marking their first time hitting the 10-win milestone since 2019. The Blue Bombers, with a record of 6-6, initially led 13-6 at halftime but faced a setback when starting quarterback Zach Collaros suffered an injury and had to exit the game.
Collaros, who completed nine passes for 165 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown, was replaced by Chris Streveler. The game saw Trevor Harris completing 18 of 31 passes for 239 yards for Saskatchewan, while A.J. Ouellette rushed for 50 yards and scored the Riders’ sole five-yard touchdown run.
Winnipeg’s Brady Oliveira, who had a challenging performance in the previous game, significantly improved with 83 rushing yards from 20 carries and two receptions for 19 yards. Ontaria Wilson stood out for the Blue Bombers with five receptions for 89 yards, including a 24-yard catch-and-run touchdown in his season debut after signing a contract through 2026.
Sergio Castillo, the Bombers’ kicker, made field goals from 39 and 34 yards but missed attempts from 48 and 51 yards. Despite leading at various points in the game, Winnipeg fell short in the final quarter as Saskatchewan secured the victory with strategic field goals by Lauther.
Looking ahead, the Roughriders are set to host the Montreal Alouettes, while the Blue Bombers will visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for their upcoming matchups.
The game witnessed several key plays and momentum shifts that ultimately favored the Roughriders, showcasing their resilience and determination in securing a critical win over the Blue Bombers.