REGINA — When it comes to Canadian football rivalries, none compare to the annual Labour Day Classic in Queen City.
For fans of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, this isn’t just another game: it’s a high-stakes, cross-provincial showdown that sets the tone for the final weeks of the regular season.
You can usually throw out the regular-season records whenever these two Prairie rivals clash, yet jockeying for position in the competitive West Division will surely be top of mind for both clubs. With the Riders atop the West at an impressive 8-2, the Bombers aren’t far behind with a 6-4 record.
This is the first of three games between the two teams, with the second taking place next week in the annual Banjo Bowl at Princess Auto Stadium. With two straight wins, Winnipeg will not only leapfrog Saskatchewan in the standings but also clinch the season series tiebreaker. The Bombers host the third and final game in mid-October.
Recent history has made this rivalry even more of a must-watch.
Last year’s Labour Day Classic was a two-point nail-biter. And while the Roughriders have held the historical edge in this series, Winnipeg has won three of the last four, further tilting recent history in its favour.
Following a loss to the Calgary Stampeders last week, the Riders are looking to re-assert their dominance. Meanwhile, the Bombers are riding a wave of momentum from two straight wins, hoping to build on that momentum in the second half of the 2025 campaign.
With plenty to discuss in this one, let’s dig deeper into the action in the latest edition of 5 Storylines.
The noise factor
In one of the most hostile environments in the CFL, the Bombers offence will face a familiar challenge — the deafening roar of over 34,000 fans at Mosaic Stadium.
This game is expected to be the largest attended at Mosaic, and the Riders faithful are sure to make their presence felt. The Bombers have been preparing for this all week, pumping in artificial crowd noise at practice to simulate the conditions.
The pressure will be particularly high on first-year offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan, who will be calling plays from the booth for the first time in a game of this magnitude. Meanwhile, on the field, quarterback Zach Collaros knows that communication will be the key to success.
The high level of pressure that comes with playing a heated rival, combined with the unfriendly environment, will test the precision of the Bombers’ play-calling and execution. That preparation from the week should play a major role in whether Winnipeg can handle the heat.
Battle in the trenches
One of the key battles in this game will be fought in the trenches, where the Bombers’ offensive line will go head-to-head with the Riders defensive front.
The Bombers are coming off a dominant performance against the Montreal Alouettes, where they opened running lanes for Brady Oliveira, who finished the game with a season-high 137 yards on 16 carries. This ability to establish the run is a foundational element of the Winnipeg offence, helping set the tone for their passing attack and to control the clock.
Winnipeg will face a tough challenge against the Roughriders defensive line, which has been a force this season. The Riders rank first in the CFL in rushing yards against, allowing an average of 76.3 yards per game.
By neutralizing the ground game, Saskatchewan’s defence has been able to force opponents into predictable, one-dimensional passing attacks. In the two games they’ve lost this season, both against Calgary, the Riders struggled to get to the quarterback or stop the run.
Ultimately, the team that controls the line of scrimmage, likely controls their destiny.
Schoen returns
The Bombers offence is set to get a massive boost with the return of star receiver Dalton Schoen.
ETHAN CAIRNS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Dalton Schoen (centre) returns from the six-game injured list for the Labour Day Classic on Sunday. The one-two punch of Schoen and teammate Nic Demski (left) will give Winnipeg’s attack a completely different look.
After a stint on the six-game injured list, Schoen has been back with the first-team offence all week and is ready to rejoin the lineup. His absence was felt in a major way, as when healthy, he’s arguably the most productive receiver in the CFL.
Schoen’s return not only adds a proven deep threat and red zone target but also provides invaluable leadership to a receiving corps that has been hit by injuries. His presence alone will command attention from the Roughriders secondary, which will create more space for other receivers to operate.
The Bombers also have hope that Nic Demski, who left last week’s game with a head injury, will be able to return to face the team that drafted him. This one-two punch of returning playmakers gives Winnipeg’s attack a completely different look as they prepare for a difficult matchup against the Riders’ last line of defence.
Stopping Trevor Harris
Bombers defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger showed a deep respect for Trevor Harris in an interview earlier this week, and for good reason. At 39, the Saskatchewan quarterback is playing some of the best football of his career, showcasing remarkable accuracy with a 74.6 per cent completion percentage.
Harris’s exceptional play has been the key to the Riders offence, allowing them to lead the league in passing efficiency and sustain long, methodical drives. Saskatchewan has a stellar wide receiver group, highlighted by KeeSean Johnson, whose 26 second-down conversion catches are a direct result of Harris’s clutch passing in tense moments.
The Bombers defence will have the tall task of disrupting his rhythm. They’ve had success in this area, holding opponents to a league-low 62 per cent completion percentage this season. Younger will have to be strategic in his plan to confuse Harris and force mistakes, including disguising different looks.
If Winnipeg can pressure Harris and prevent him from getting into his groove, it will be a long day for the Saskatchewan offence. If not, the Bombers will be in big trouble.
A tale of two kickers
A critical contrast can be found in the two club’s kicking units.
For the Roughriders, Brett Lauther has struggled throughout the season, converting a league-worst 64.7 per cent of his field goal attempts. This lack of execution is a significant factor in the team’s 0-2 record in games decided in the final three minutes.
Lauther is coming off a game where he missed his only attempt, a 28-yarder. The Riders signed rookie kicker Campbell Fair last week to create competition behind Lauther, who seems to be given one final chance Sunday to prove he can get through his rough patch.
CHRISTOPHER KATSAROV / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo (right) has had a nearly perfect season, hitting 28-of-31 field goals, including a flawless 15-for-15 from inside 40 yards and a remarkable six-for-seven from beyond 50 yards.
Meanwhile, the Bombers possess a major advantage with Sergio Castillo. He has been nearly perfect this season, hitting 28-of-31 field goals, including a flawless 15-for-15 from inside 40 yards and a remarkable six-for-seven from beyond 50 yards.
The confidence that the Bombers have in Castillo to close out a game or take the lead from long distance creates a significant edge. This matchup of kicking extremes could very well be the deciding factor in a game that, based on history, is likely to be a tight one.
jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca
Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer
Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.
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