The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ most-recent result was uncannily familiar for Brett Lauther — not only because he went 5-for-5 on field-goal attempts for the third time this season.
On Friday, as in November of 2019, Lauther played an integral role in helping the Roughriders clinch first place in the West Division by winning on home turf.
A 27-19 victory over the Toronto Argonauts also represented a full-circle moment for Lauther.
His first regular-season game as a Roughrider — on June 15, 2018 — was also, coincidentally enough, a 27-19 win against Toronto at Mosaic Stadium.
Lauther is fresh off accounting for 15 of Saskatchewan’s 27 points as the team improved its CFL-best record to 12-4.
In typical fashion, he steered completely clear of revelling in any personal accomplishments, despite their impact on the game.
“For me, especially being here for so long and being a captain on the team, I never want it to be about me or for that to leak into the locker room,” said Lauther, whose wife (Jill) and newborn daughter (Townes) were at the game.
“We’re all wearing the same colour. It doesn’t matter who catches the touchdowns, who throws it, who kicks it. None of that matters. You’re trying to win as a team and that’s your ultimate goal.
“For me with anything, it has always been about the team. It doesn’t matter who does it, as long as the green wins at the end of the day.
“I don’t take anything personally out of playing decent tonight because, at the end of the day, it’s just the scoreboard that matters. We got it done tonight and got first place with a couple of games left.
“This is the best team I’ve been on or been around, so I’m super thankful for them.”
The gratitude toward Lauther was evident after the Roughriders secured first place overall in the CFL standings and hosting privileges for the Western Final, to be played here on Nov. 8.
“Incredible,” Head Coach Corey Mace said of the 34-year-old placekicker’s clutch performance.
“Sam Emilus got a game ball. A.J. Allen got a game ball. Brett Lauther got a game ball and the locker room erupted. That should tell you enough.”
Emilus caught six passes for 142 yards. Two of the receptions were the result of spectacular catches. His 50-yard connection with Trevor Harris set up the game’s first touchdown.
Allen registered a team-best seven defensive tackles, along with a sack and a key interception.
As for Lauther, Special Teams Co-ordinator Kent Maugeri put it aptly when, moments before presenting Friday’s third and final game ball, he said: “I’m so proud of this guy. Redemption.”
Lauther was then mobbed by his teammates.
“These guys are the best,” he said. “No one has ever wavered. There’s never been any doubt in the room. Everything we need, we’ve got in here.
“We know what we can do in here and what we’re capable of. There’s highs and lows for everyone, but these guys have stuck with me from the beginning.
“I’m just trying to go out there each and every time and put my best foot forward and deliver for these guys.”
Lauther, the Roughriders’ All-Time leader in field-goal percentage (82.0), was 22-for-34 (64.7%) this season before embarking on his current run of 14-for-16 (87.5%). The only two misses over that span have been from 50 and 55 yards.
Friday’s game was the eighth in which Lauther has gone 5-for-5 as a Roughrider. He has also been 6-for-6 three times and 7-for-7 once.
He has yet to miss a field-goal attempt during a game in which he has split the uprights at least five times.
The final three-pointer on Friday gave Lauther an even 1,100 points as a Roughrider.
He is third on the team’s All-Time list, behind Canadian Football Hall of Fame inductees Dave Ridgway (2,374) and Paul McCallum (1,615).
Ridgway is the Roughriders’ All-Time leader in games of five or more field goals (23), followed by Lauther (12) and McCallum (eight).
On Friday, Lauther helped the Roughriders score on seven of their 12 possessions, excluding abbreviated end-of-half and end-of-game situations.
Saskatchewan ended its 2019 regular season with a 23-13 victory over Edmonton. Lauther’s 11-yard field goal with 1:30 remaining in the fourth quarter snapped a 13-13 tie and ultimately gave the Roughriders 13 in the win column and as referenced earlier, first place.
Next up for the 2025 Roughriders is Friday’s game against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Green and White’s regular-season home finale is Oct. 25 versus the B.C. Lions.
A victory in either of those games would give Saskatchewan back-to-back seasons of 13-plus wins for the second time in franchise history.
Saskatchewan went 13-3 in 1969 and 14-2 in 1970.