Riders roar to 38-7 victory over Hamilton Tiger-Cats in CFL action

“We should have had even more, but it was great, and the energy it brought. That was good football we played tonight.”

Quarterback Trevor Harris said there was a lot to be happy about in the victory.

“I thought specials did a great job putting us into positions field-position wise. I thought our defence created turnovers, especially in the fourth quarter,” Harris said.

“We were efficient in the pass game. I think it’s one of those murky games where the few things that did go wrong were the interceptions… We were able to run the ball really well, because that’s what they were giving us. That’s the name of the game. Whatever the defence does, make sure you’re exploiting it.”

Head coach Corey Mace said it finally felt like the football gods were on Saskatchewan’s side when it came to getting turnovers.

“It’s not for a lack of effort or anything. We have been preaching it like crazy. Just proud of the guys. We talked about it all week, and we have been talking about it. It might not be an interception. We might need to force the ball out or punch the ball out,” Mace said.

“I’m happy. This has been something we have been waiting for as a defence, and you see how it can turn the tide for this team. I’m happy that it started in the second half.”

Due to an injury to Bo Levi Mitchell, former Riders quarterback Jake Dolegala was making his first start for the Tiger-Cats. He went 2-9 in his previous 11 starts.

Dolegala had 122 yards and an interception before he was replaced by Tre Ford late in the fourth quarter. Ford finished with 47 passing yards.

Harris had 211 yards with two touchdowns, but added two interceptions as well.

Saskatchewan Roughriders short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens rushes the ball against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on July 12, 2026. (Image Credit: Saskatchewan Roughriders)

Saskatchewan running back A.J. Ouellette was making his return to the lineup after missing two games with an ankle injury. He had 83 rushing yards during the game.

“Everybody knows how good of a runner he is, but people don’t realize how good he is at pass protection and how good he is at stretching and cutting and outside zone, and how patient he is in the gap-scheme game,” Harris said.

“That’s who A.J. is, and he’s a hall-of-fame teammate. Really thankful he is back.”

The team relied on short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens to come in late and close out the game. With under two minutes to go, Stevens had a rush for 26 yards and then another for 14 yards for a touchdown in two plays.

Stevens said the plan was to just run out the clock.

“I had an opportunity to get loose. Doing those plays, it’s basically 12-on-12 football. Add an extra hat in the run game with the running back being the lead blocker, essentially, it allows us to manipulate defences and get an extra hat. I tried to put our best foot forward, and thought we did that,” Stevens said.

Stevens finished the game with two touchdowns and 54 yards on the ground.

Kian Schaffer-Baker led the way for Saskatchewan’s receivers, with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Sam Emilus wasn’t far behind, with six catches for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Riders defensive end James Vaughters had two sacks in the contest, and currently leads the team with four this season. Defensive tackle Caleb Sanders had the other sack for the Riders on Sunday.

“The thing with the defensive line is, it takes some time for us to gel and really understand how everyone rushes. I think everyone played well today on the D-line across the board, and it was nice to even have our subs come in and do their thing really well,” Vaughter said.

“It’s a team effort. If the quarterback can’t step up in the pocket, the defensive ends should be getting sacks. If he can step up in the pocket, the defensive tackles should be getting them.”

Kicker Alex Hale missed one of two field goals in the game, his miss coming from just 35 yards out. He also missed one of his five conversion kicks as well.

Mace elected to punt from the Hamilton 40- and 41-yard lines heading into the south end zone.

“I wouldn’t say it was super gusty, but it was between 25 and 35 (kilometres per hour), which is still a factor. We put Alex out there and pregame, we felt comfortable that was a spot we would be able to hit that. We didn’t. They have an explosive returner and just a risk-reward with understanding how our defence was playing at that time,” Mace said.

“If it was going the other way, probably would have put Alex out there anyway.”

Saskatchewan lost returner Mathew Sexton after he suffered a leg injury on the opening kickoff of the second half.

The Riders (4-1) will now head out on a bye week before having a home-and-home with the Edmonton Elks (4-1).

—

by Britton Gray/CJME

Riders roar to 38-7 victory over Hamilton Tiger-Cats in CFL action

What's Trending