Riders win an overtime thriller in a classic Labour Day match-up

By Kate Winquist

There’s just something about the Labour Day game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Bluebombers! The Riders claimed a thrilling 32-30 overtime victory at Mosaic Stadium in front of a packed Labour Day Classic crowd of 33,350 fans on Sunday.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, but quarterbacks Jake Dolegala and Zach Collaros found their stride in the second quarter. Dolegala led an impressive drive of eight plays and 102 yards, resulting in an Antonio Pipkin touchdown run. This drive, which included a 64-yard reception by Tevin Jones and a 37-yard catch by Mitchell Picton, gave the Riders a 10-0 lead.

PHOTO: Screengrab Riderville.com

Collaros, who initially struggled with his passing game, went 0-for-4 with an interception. However, he turned things around and led the Bombers to a response after Pipkin's touchdown. Collaros completed three consecutive passes – for 20 yards to Dalton Schoen, 46 yards to Nik Demski, and 34 yards to Drew Wolitarsky – resulting in the Bombers' first touchdown of the day. Wolitarsky made a diving catch in the end zone, bringing the score to 10-7 with 3:34 left in the second quarter.

The Riders headed into halftime with a 13-7 lead after Lauther made his second successful field goal, from 1:33 remaining in the second quarter.

Despite trailing 13-7 at halftime, the Bombers made an impressive comeback with Brady Oliveira scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game, giving Winnipeg a 24-20 lead with just 3:50 left in the fourth quarter.

It seemed that the Riders had successfully prevented the Bombers from tying the game when Collaros's pass on second-and-goal went incomplete from the Saskatchewan five-yard line. However, a roughing penalty was called against Riders' defensive lineman Pete Robertson after he head-butted Collaros at the end of the play. The ensuing play allowed Oliveira to score an untouched touchdown, extending the Bombers' lead. Oliveira had previously scored on a three-yard run late in the third quarter.

The Riders managed to force overtime thanks to Brett Lauther's clutch performance, as he kicked his fifth field goal of the game, an 18-yarder, with only 31 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Riders began overtime with a strong start, as Antonio Pipkin scored his second touchdown of the game on a one-yard sneak. Jake Dolegala then completed a pass to Shawn Bane Jr. for a successful two-point conversion, extending the Riders' lead to 32-24.

However, Winnipeg quickly responded in overtime as Zach Collaros connected with Kenny Lawler on a 35-yard touchdown pass. The Riders secured the win when their rookie safety, Jaxson Ford, deflected Collaros's pass during the two-point conversion attempt.With this victory, the Riders, who currently rank third in the CFL's West Division, improved to a record of 6-5. Meanwhile, the Blue Bombers, leading the West Division, saw their record drop to 9-3. A win would have secured a playoff berth for Winnipeg.