As two bitter rivals go head-to-head Sunday, the 61st Labour Day Classic between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers has major implications in the CFL’s West Division Standings. Sitting in second place, Saskatchewan (7-4) is just two points back of first place Edmonton and two points up on their rival Blue Bombers (6-5). “Regardless of the record or the standings, we’re trying to play [our best] anyway,” Riders’ head coach Corey Mace told reporters Saturday. “But certainly in the situation the West Division has right now, every game is crucial whether you’re playing a Western opponent or not.” “We’re going to go toe-to-toe on Labour Day, it’s setting up to be a great game,” he added. Saskatchewan is looking for back-to-back wins after a victory at home last week against Toronto. The word of the week around the team: momentum; as the Riders hope to build off a strong second half performance against the Argos. “Labour Day is here and this is one it’s the most important times; to play your best football is from here on,” quarterback Trevor Harris said Wednesday. “Just make sure you’re still continuing making strides and getting better every day.” “I believe [momentum transfers],” offensive lineman Logan Ferland added. “I also believe after losses, that does something to you too. You never want to lose two in a row. So, that’s also something that we always try to accomplish.” Except there is one problem with building momentum going into this game – Winnipeg is trying to do the same after defeating the top seeded Montreal Alouettes in Week 13; likely their best game of the season so far. Bombers’ head coach Mike O’Shea was not as convinced about how momentum swings carry game-to-game. “It’s always hard to carry momentum from one week to the next,” he told reporters in Winnipeg Friday. “I think you create momentum in game, you ride [that] and you try to keep those ebbs smaller – whether it’s us or our opponent, we always look at ourselves first.” Saskatchewan and Winnipeg will play just twice this season with the second match-up set for next week’s Labour Day rematch at the Banjo Bowl in Winnipeg. With the Bombers looking to catch the Riders in the number two seed, O’Shea says his focus remains on getting game one, before game 2. “We’re focused on this one,” he reiterated. “There’s no point talking about the second one until you take care of the first one. So, I don’t know [this game’s] any more important. There’s a bit of a logjam right now in the West, which is awesome.” Harris says stopping Winnipeg’s momentum is easy. “We be ourselves,” he said sternly ahead of the game Saturday. “It’s not a new hat; they’re a good football team and they have been for quite a long time. They have our respect and I’m sure we have theirs.” “It’ll be a fun match up [Sunday], but it’s going to be 60 minutes of violent football and that’s what we’re about,” Harris added. All-time, Saskatchewan leads the Labour Day Classic rivalry series 39-21 in the 60 previous matchups. Kickoff for the 61st Labour Day Classic is set for 5 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium and on TSN. Who’s in? Who’s out? There is just one change for the Riders this week on offense from last. Receiver Johnny Johnson III (concussion) cleared protocol after missing last week’s game against Toronto. The rookie out of Oregon has 295 yards on 22 receptions and one touchdown this season. “We get another baller,” Mace said about Johnson III. “He came a little bit late to training camp but within the first practice – maybe the first four routes he ran – you saw something special. He’s going to block from the box and deliver for his teammates.” To make room for Johnson III, newcomer Shemar Bridges comes out after making his Rider debut against the Argos just four days after being signed by Saskatchewan. The remained of the changes are on defense. Mostly impacting special teams, defensive lineman Devin Adams is in for Desmond Evans as Evans gets moved to the practice roster this week. Linebacker Nick Wiebe (knee) has been moved to the one-game injured list. The most glaring omission could likely be Josh Woods, who leads Saskatchewan for interceptions, at the weak side linebacker spot. Woods (ankle) left last Saturday’s game in the second quarter and did not practice all week. Making a rare start on defense is Aubrey Miller Jr. in that position. “I just want to thank the organization for believing in me to be able to fill in the shoes of course a great linebacker in Josh Woods,” he told reporters Thursday. In 11 games this season, Miller Jr. has been key on special teams. He has made 13 tackles on specials and a forced fumble. With limited defensive snaps played, Miller Jr. does have two defensive tackles. “[Special teams] is a proving ground,” Mace said about his new starting WLB. “From special teams to earn the right to get snaps on defense: Aubrey’s done that at a high level. We’ve had really good players just ahead of him in those positions and he’s come into games and done well.” “It’s not a matter of trust here in these situations, you’re just really excited for the guy to get an opportunity,” he added. Miller Jr. relished the opportunity to play in possibly the biggest rivalry game of the season. “Truthfully, this would be my first Labor Day game as far as my all time being here,” he reminded. “It’s going to be a big rivalry game; I know a lot of emotions and a lot of feelings are going to be in the air, especially for me individually as well.” On the Bombers’ sideline, running back Brady Oliveira is starting despite not practicing all week and being listed as questionable by Winnipeg. However, Nic Demski – who also missed all of the Bombers’ practices this week – is out. That means former Roughriders’ receiver Tommy Nield could have an elevated roll in the Bombers’ offense in his return to Mosaic Stadium for the first time since helping Saskatchewan win the 2025 Grey Cup. Nield’s last game at Mosaic was the 2025 West Final, when he caught the game-winning touchdown to send the Riders to the Grey Cup game. Living up to the name Each year, the Labour Day Classic between Saskatchewan and Winnipeg never fails to live up to the hype generated by fans and media across both provinces. For a 39th straight Labour Day game, Mosaic Stadium will be sold out. “It’s a special place to play football,” Bombers’ quarterback Zach Collaros admitted. “The rivalry is great and what it does for both provinces during the week is really special.” Regina product Jaxon Ford described the atmosphere perfectly. “It’s the loudest game,” he said after saying he can’t describe it. “Your ears are ringing the whole game; it feels like the stadium and the ground is shaking. It’s a surreal feeling.” The large crowd presents challenges for both teams. Winnipeg’s offence – and Saskatchewan defence – practiced with blaring crowd noise throughout the week to simulate what Sunday’s atmosphere could be like. “[The fans] make it a very tough atmosphere to play in,” added Collaros. “Communication is always and will be at a premium.” It is likely, too, the fans will get what they paid to see: a classic. Each of the last three Labour Day games have been decided on two-point convert attempts in the final minute or in overtime. Saskatchewan knocking down a ball in 2023, Winnipeg countering in 2024 and then Tevaughn Campbell’s pick-two to seal the win last year. Going further back, eight of the last nine long weekend matchups have been decided by one score or less. “That’s what rivalry games are about,” Harris said about how tight recent games have been. “Hopefully it doesn’t have to be close tomorrow and we can be on the end of a game where it’s not that way where we’re leading big. But you’ve always got to be ready for [a close one], especially a team like Winnipeg and how well they’ve been playing.” Mace called the tight games, “crazy.” “I’m sure the fans love that; it makes for great entertainment – not so much the for the old ticker on the sideline,” he said with a chuckle. “It just speaks to the two teams relatively in the last handful of years out West, these two teams have been really good.” “I don’t expect that to change,” Mace added. 127 more for No. 7 Going into this Labour Day Classic, Harris is on the brink of Canadian Football League History. With 41,228 passing yards across his 14-year CFL career, Harris needs just 127 passing yards to catch Hall of Famer Doug Flutie (41,355 yards) for 10th all-time in league history. Harris spoke about the possibility of crossing the mark earlier this week. “[Flutie] only played like eight years; I don’t know how many attempts he had,” he said with a laugh. “That’s literally a legend among ‘the guys.’ Him, [Anthony] Calvillo, Damon Allen, [Henry Burris], Ricky [Ray] and Ronnie [Lancaster].” “Guys like that are just like, ‘wow.’ … whenever [I] hear name like that and I might be able to pass that guy, it’s insane to think about,” Harris admitted. The Roughriders’ pivot is second among active quarterbacks for career passing yards, behind Bo Levi Mitchell’s 45,426 – 8th all-time. Remaining humble as always, Harris quick to deflect the title of greatness which comes with such a milestone. “I’m definitely not in that echelon with those guys,” he said. “When I look at that list, there’s an outlier there. It’s my way of keeping myself hungry.” There’s no doubt in anyone else’s mind, however, Harris is an outlier as he continues a Hall of Fame-calibre career.
