Saskatchewan Roughriders Win 1st Grey Cup Since 2013; Only 5th Title in 115 Year History

The Saskatchewan Roughriders won the 112th edition of Canada's Grey Cup besting the Montreal Alouettes 25-17.  It was the Roughriders' first Grey Cup title since 2013 when they defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Although the Roughriders are the second oldest franchise in CFL history (after the Ticats) having been established in 1910, it marks only the fifth time in franchise history the Green and the White have won it all. Prior to tonight, the Roughriders had won the Grey Cup in 1966, 1989, 2007 and 2013. Three of those previous titles came against the Ticats while their title in 2007 came against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Tonight's game took place in Winnipeg. This was actually the first Grey Cup since that did not feature the Blue Bombers in the final since 2018. As for the Roughriders, they had lost back-to-back Grey Cup finals to the Alouettes in 2009 and 2010. 

But history would not repeat itself as Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander was intercepted thrice while a fumble recovery by the Roughriders on their 3-yard line late in the 4th quarter prevented Montreal from possibly tying the game and sending it into overtime.

The Roughriders scored three rushing touchdowns - two by Tommy Stevens and one by A.J. Ouelette. However, the Roughriders 39-year-old QB Trevor Harris would win Grey Cup MVP honors completing 23 of 27 passes for 302 yards.

I think it would be fair to say that of all the CFL franchises, the Roughriders' fan base is the most dedicated. After all, there is no NHL team in Saskatchewan. Football is the center of sporting life in the prairie province. 

While this isn't to say there aren't passionate Canadian football fans in Toronto who were happy with the Argonauts' Grey Cup triumph a year ago, I suspect that most are more focused on the NFL's Buffalo Bills much to the consternation of long-suffering Bills' fans still in search of their first Super Bowl title.

Given the infrequency of Grey Cup titles in Saskatchewan, the whole province is going to be in celebration mode tonight and during the coming week. Roughriders' fans will be treated to both a "glimpse of the cup" tomorrow afternoon and a victory parade on Tuesday in the provincial capital of Regina. 

I hope Saskatchewan will savor every moment of this glory because you never know when it will come back again.