Photo courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders
B.C. Lions’ quarterback Nathan Rourke has been the talk of the 2025 CFL season, but his counterpart in the West Final isn’t interested in adding any more oxygen to that discussion.
“I’m not here to talk about Nathan Rourke,” Saskatchewan Roughriders’ quarterback Trevor Harris told the media on Friday. “I think it’s our time.”
Rourke is a finalist for both Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian, having thrown for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, while rushing for an additional 564 yards and 10 majors. The Oakville, Ont., native topped the CFL in terms of passing efficiency in 2025 with a mark of 112.2 and has now led his team to seven straight victories to reach the second round of the playoffs.
That has overshadowed a quietly strong season from Harris, who sits tied for second in passer efficiency at 110.7. While the 39-year-old veteran finished well behind Rourke with 4,549 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and none of the rushing exploits, he boasted a higher completion percentage at 73.6 and threw fewer interceptions with 11.
Most importantly, Harris led his team to the best record in the CFL and secured home-field advantage for the upcoming tilt between the two best passers in the West Division.
“Not to dismiss the last question, Nathan Rourke’s an awesome player, and we all respect him. We all love him. He’s fun to watch, but we’re excited about being here in this moment,” Harris elaborated. “The Saskatchewan Roughriders are fired up to be here, and we’ve got a focused bunch. We’ve had a great week of prep, and we’re just excited that the moment’s finally here.”
“I’m just trying to be the best version of myself I can be for my team, and that’s kind of where I’m at with it. Just go out there and glorify my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and do the best I can tomorrow. I’ve never really concerned myself too much with the other quarterbacks. I do get it, Nathan’s a great player, but I feel like it’s our time.”
While Harris’ refusal to discuss Rourke will only fuel external narratives ahead of their head-to-head battle, the man he doesn’t want to talk about won’t be taking issue with it. The Lions’ QB has never viewed the game as a duel between quarterbacks and understands why Harris wouldn’t want it to be framed that way either.
“We’re not worried about their offence, we’re preparing for their defence. I understand that mentality, for sure,” Rourke said.
“I think it was the same thing last week. There was a good amount trying to be made about me and (Vernon Adams Jr.). As much as I watch all the quarterbacks in this league and respect them and follow them and try to learn something from them, we never have the chance to play. We’re not on the field at the same time. This is a really good Saskatchewan defence, and that’s what I’m worried about right now.”
Rourke is making his fourth career playoff start and returns to the West Final for the first time since 2022, when he fell to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers while still battling the effects of a Lisfranc sprain. Harris has far more postseason experience, having started 10 contests already, including one Grey Cup, but has gone 4-6 all-time in elimination games.
His most recent loss came in the West Final last season, when the Riders succumbed to Winnipeg on the road. This time around, he feels things have changed.
“We’re the big dogs,” Harris said confidently when asked what’s different this season.
“Winnipeg had run the West for quite a long time, and so we were going into Princess Auto Stadium trying to take the reins and get to the Grey Cup, and unfortunately, fell short. This year, B.C. is coming here. It should be a heavyweight tilt tomorrow.”
While there is a fine line between confidence and false bravado, Riders’ head coach Corey Mace believes his quarterback has the right mindset entering Saturday.
“I think you should carry that mentality in any game that you play. If you’re going in thinking that you’re nervous and it ain’t going to work out for you, I don’t know if that bodes well going into a physical football game,” he said. “As a team, I just think having that experience for us last year bodes well going in a second time around.”
Despite the high stakes, Harris says he’ll feel no pressure in front of a robust home crowd at Mosaic Stadium. All external factors, be it the stage itself or the quarterback he’s facing, are irrelevant to the task at hand.
“I think you understand there’s more eyeballs on the game, but I was raised by a guy who never let me get a moment too big, and to just take each moment for what it is,” Harris said. “Tomorrow’s a 12-on-12. The rules are still the same. Defences are defences, and so just go out and play our game to the best of our ability.”
“We know they’re going to come in fighting, and so are we. It just comes down to executing one play at a time. I think it’s easy to kind of get caught up in the hype and let the pressure build up. But it’s ultimately, who’s going to deal with the elements the best tomorrow? Who’s going to deal with each big moment? Who’s going to respond to the situational things in the game where they’re unexpected, maybe a turnover or a big play? How do you respond in these big moments? I think this locker room is built for moments like this.”
The Saskatchewan Roughriders (12-6) will host the B.C. Lions (12-7) in the West Final at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Saturday, November 8, with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m. EST. The Lions defeated the Calgary Stampeders by a score of 33-30 in the West Semi-Final, while the Roughriders were on bye after finishing atop the West Division standings.
The weather forecast in Regina calls for a high of minus-six degrees and mainly sunny conditions. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 730 CKNW in Vancouver and 620 CKRM in Regina.