Riders halt losing streak, Redblacks playoff hopes

October 4, 2025

Riders halt losing streak, Redblacks playoff hopes

OTTAWA – The Saskatchewan Roughriders survived a late rally by the desperate Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night and left the nation’s capital with a 20-13 win.

The loss officially eliminates the Redblacks (4-11) from CFL playoff contention, while the Roughriders (11-4) snapped a two-game losing streak.

The Redblacks and backup quarterback Dustin Crum made a game of it in the fourth quarter, but just ran out of time.

Crum, who finished the night 12-for-16 for 99 yards and one touchdown, replaced Dru Brown early in the third quarter after Brown was picked off for the third time. Brown went 11-for-20 for 141 yards and three interceptions.

With Ottawa trailing 14-3, Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris — who finished 27-for-33 and 341 yards and one touchdown — extended the Riders lead on the first play of the fourth quarter when he found Dohnte Meyers for a 66-yard touchdown pass. The Roughriders failed to convert the extra point with Campbell Fair kicking wide for the second time, making it 20-3.

Trying to claw back into the game, the Redblacks converted three third-down gambles before Crum found Justin Hardy for a nine-yard touchdown, making it 20-10 with 7:52 to play.

Things looked grim for Ottawa when Harris drove the Roughriders to the five-yard line, but Davion Taylor forced Harris to bobble the ball and Bryce Carter ran it back 81 yards to Saskatchewan’s 17. The Redblacks had to settle for a 26-yard field goal from Lewis Ward, to trail 20-13 and couldn’t get any closer.

Statistically the Redblacks held their own against Saskatchewan through the first half, but it meant little with the Roughriders leading 14-3. Two interceptions and seven penalties against Ottawa proved to be the difference.