Roughriders Edge Tiger-Cats in Steeltown Showdown Thriller
What a game we witnessed in Hamilton! The Saskatchewan Roughriders went into a hostile Steeltown environment and battled their way to a hard-fought 28–23 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday night, making it two straight wins to open the 2025 CFL season. It was the kind of gritty, physical football matchup fans dream of — and it lived up to every bit of the hype.
Let’s talk about the atmosphere first. Hamilton Stadium was rocking. The Tiger-Cats’ fanbase brought the energy, the noise, and even a bit of the infamous Hamilton attitude. Quarterback Trevor Harris, who’s no stranger to tough crowds after growing up in Ohio’s Rust Belt, admitted Hamilton fans might be even rougher than what he remembers from back home — taking shots not just at him, but even mentioning his wife and kids. But that’s the passion that makes the CFL so entertaining. And for Harris and the Riders, it just added fuel to the fire.
Harris responded with a poised performance, throwing for 295 yards and a touchdown to KeeSean Johnson that proved to be the game-winner in the fourth quarter. He did throw an interception early, but bounced back like a veteran leader. On the ground, A.J. Ouellette was electric, punching in a 47-yard touchdown in the second quarter. His return to the starting lineup gave Saskatchewan a much-needed edge, while newcomer Ka’Deem Carey added solid runs in his Roughriders debut.
Also Read:- FIFA Club World Cup 2025: A New Era of Global Football Begins
- Paul Craig vs Rodolfo Bellato: A Battle Postponed by Fate, Reignited by Determination
Defensively, Saskatchewan delivered in the clutch. Rolan Milligan Jr. changed the tone of the game with a stunning 64-yard pick-six to give the Riders their first lead early in the second half. Add to that sacks by C.J. Reavis and a relentless effort from the D-line — including former Tiger-Cat Malik Carney, who was out for revenge in his old stomping grounds — and you’ve got a full team win.
And how about the emotional layers in this game? Micah Johnson and Mike Rose, both former Stamps now on the Riders' D-line, were itching to get to their old teammate Bo Levi Mitchell. Johnson joked that Bo always throws it away quickly when he sees him coming — and that cat-and-mouse dynamic continued Saturday, with Johnson still hunting that elusive sack.
Mitchell, to his credit, played well. He threw for 336 yards and a touchdown but also had a crucial interception that shifted the game’s momentum. Kenny Lawler was his go-to guy, lighting up the Riders for 162 receiving yards. But in the end, it wasn’t enough.
The final minutes were tense. After taking the lead with Johnson’s TD, the Riders’ defense held strong and made sure the Ticats couldn’t mount a late comeback. It was physical, emotional, and exactly the kind of CFL football that reminds us why this league is so loved across the country.
The Riders are now 2–0 and brimming with confidence, while Hamilton is left looking for answers after a second straight loss. One thing’s for sure — this wasn’t just another game on the schedule. It was a statement win in enemy territory. And the message from Saskatchewan? They’re ready for whatever this season throws at them.
Read More:
0 Comments