The Saskatchewan Roughriders pulled off an impressive come-from-behind 29-21 victory over the Edmonton Elks, securing their first win of the season and marking a momentous triumph for head coach Corey Mace. Although the game had moments of ugliness with penalties, dropped balls, and inconsistent plays, the Riders demonstrated resilience by scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

“I am trying my best to take it all in,” said Mace, following his first regular-season game as a head coach in the CFL, coming off serving as an assistant with the Toronto Argos.

“I am extremely proud of the guys. To see when they are put in situations like this that they will find a way to stick together to get things done. I am very pleased with how they went out there and finished the deal.”

The Rider’s offensive game star was Shawn Bane Jr, who delivered an outstanding performance with five catches for 125 yards and three touchdowns, playing a pivotal role in the team’s comeback. Besides Bane’s incredible day at Commonwealth Stadium, quarterback Trevor Harris achieved a significant milestone by surpassing the 30,000-yard passing mark, further cementing his spot as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in the CFL.

“We made it a lot harder on ourselves than we needed to, but it was a mark of good teams, finding a way to win when it is not perfect.” Harris said postgame. “Our defence came up with a big turnover when we needed it and our offence was able to have a much better fourth than any of the other ones. We came through when it mattered most. I am just glad we were able to get it done.”

—Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Shawn Bane Jr. (15) celebrates a touchdown against the Edmonton Elks during first half CFL action in Edmonton, Alta., on Saturday June 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.–

Defensively, Roland Milligan made a remarkable impact in his first game since last July, showcasing his prowess with nine tackles and pivotal plays at crucial moments. His contribution was instrumental in solidifying the team’s defence and ultimately contributing to the win.

Looking ahead, the Riders are gearing up for their next challenge as they continue their season-opening road trip, facing the Hamilton Tiger-Cats next Sunday. Fans can catch the pregame show starting at 2 pm on their voice of the Riders 620 CKRM.

–With files from Shane Jones, the Canadian Press–