Riders punch postseason ticket with win over Elks

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will return to the CFL playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Saskatchewan defeated the Edmonton Elks 28-24 at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday. It was the Riders’ third victory in a row and the win has qualified the Green and White for the playoffs.

“It feels good. I’m excited to be playing in October and November,” said linebacker C.J. Reavis. “I’m excited to go for this (Grey Cup).”

It’s been a good turnaround for the Riders, who went 0-6-1 in their last stretch prior to this winning streak.

“It’s definitely one of those, ‘OK, let’s celebrate this moment,’ because there was a seven-game stretch we couldn’t figure a way to win a ballgame,” said quarterback Trevor Harris. “We’ve won three in a row but if you think we’re going to exhale now, you’re dead wrong about the character of this team and what we are all about.

“We have a lot of goals left and things we want to accomplish. Just making the playoffs is good, don’t get me wrong — it’s nothing to sneeze at in pro football — but also we’ve got bigger goals in mind.”

While the Riders have made improvements in recent weeks, Harris doesn’t believe this team is playing its best football yet.

“We’re making strides. I feel like offensively we are moving the football at a really good rate. I feel like our run game was decently productive for us tonight and our pass game was able to get going,” Harris said. “I can’t turn the ball over in the situation I did … This team deserves to have a mentally tough quarterback. This team is not playing its best football right now but we are heading in the right direction. We’re going to keep pressing and this group has the character and morale to keep finding out what we are capable of.”

Defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. recorded an interception in the game — his CFL-leading eighth of the season.

“I’m so happy for Milly. Nobody is perfect but if there’s someone close to perfect, it’s Milly,” Reavis said. “Milligan for (Most Outstanding Player).”

Head coach Corey Mace said this season is a testament to the work Milligan Jr. puts in.

“I know our fans love him but nobody knows the work he puts in — him and Reavis,” Mace said. “These guys put in so much work and they want the success for the team, for our fan base and I’m just pleased it has come to fruition for them.”

Linebacker Adam Auclair also intercepted Elks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson in the game while defensive back Amari Henderson forced a fumble late that was recovered by Reavis to help clinch the game for Saskatchewan.

“Amari is my roommate actually so we talk about it every single day about getting the ball and making plays,” Reavis said. “I’m just happy to see him do that. He’s had a year where he has been injured a little bit so I’m happy to see him make that play and I’m happy he made it for me.”

Riders quarterback Trevor Harris had 358 yards, two interceptions and two touchdowns in the win. KeeSean Johnson and Sam Emilus hauled in the touchdown passes for the Riders. Emilus had a game-high 126 yards in the game while Johnson had 103 receiving yards. Riders short-yardage quarterback Shea Patterson also scored a rushing score.

Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Samuel Emilus (19) runs for a touchdown as Edmonton Elks’ Darrius Bratton (24) can’t catch up during first half CFL action in Edmonton on Oct. 5, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

Harris said that even after throwing an interception in the second half, he wasn’t going to stop trying to push the ball down the field.

“I’m never going to be deterred because I love this offence and love this group. Just happy with where we are in terms of where we were about a month ago,” Harris said.

Frankie Hickson started at running back due to injuries to both Ryquell Armstead and AJ Ouellette. Hickson had 46 yards in the contest.

Bethel-Thompson had 379 yards and two passing touchdowns along with those two interceptions.

The last time these two teams met, the Elks had 276 yards rushing. This time around, Edmonton only mustered 30 rushing yards.

Riders kicker Brett Lauther, who was appearing in his 100th CFL game, made both of his field goal attempts and both of his point-after converts. Elks kicker Boris Bede connected on his only field goal attempt but missed one of his three convert kicks. Elks punter Jake Julien added a rouge as well in the game.

Reavis was a big part of the Riders’ defensive success in this game, recording nine defensive tackles including a tackle-for-loss. He also laid some big hits in this game after missing last week’s contest due to a knee injury.

“It was hard watching my guys go to battle last week but they held it down so I wanted to come out here and hold the standard up,” Reavis said.

The Edmonton loss not only eliminated the Elks, but the Calgary Stampeders as well. It’s the first time since the Stamps joined the CFL in 1945 that neither Alberta team qualifies for the playoffs. It’s also the first time the Stamps have missed the playoffs since 2004.

Saskatchewan (8-7-1) has once again jumped into second place in the CFL West Division, moving past the B.C. Lions (8-8). Those two teams meet next Saturday and if the Riders win, it will host a home playoff game.