The Saskatchewan Roughriders hoped to emerge from Friday’s game while smelling like a rose.

Mike Rose detected a different fragrance after a 40-34 CFL loss to the Toronto Argonauts at Mosaic Stadium — a result that left both teams with 2-1 records.

“When we lose, we lose as a team,” the veteran defensive tackle said. “When we win, we win as a team.

“We stunk it up, but we’ll get back out there.”

It wasn’t a uniformly fetid performance — there were, in fact, several bright spots — but periodic breakdowns prevented Saskatchewan from starting a third consecutive season at 3-0.

Offence: On first-and-goal from the five-yard line, a miscommunication between quarterback Trevor Harris and receiver Samuel Emilus led to the only interception Saskatchewan has thrown this season. In the fourth quarter, the Roughriders’ Jaylen Johnson fumbled on his 32-yard line and Toronto struck for a touchdown three plays later. The convert gave the Argonauts a 40-31 lead with 4:17 remaining. (Johnson soon rebounded by making a spectacular one-handed catch for a 23-yard gain.)

Defence: Twenty-four seconds before halftime, Toronto began a series on its 46-yard line while trailing 17-13. Chad Kelly struck for back-to-back completions — finding Damonte Coxie for 37 yards before throwing a 27-yard TD pass to Tyler Kahmann. “No doubt that’s a tough one to give up,” Head Coach Corey Mace lamented.

Special teams: Toronto opened the scoring when Janarion Grant returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown.

“In all three phases, we took our turns,” Harris said.

“We lost and we’re going to take a look at how we can get better, because complementary football is the name of the game in pro football.

“If we can stay on the field and keep our defence off the field, that’s going to help them more. And if the defence can generate two-and-outs and the special teams can flip the field for us, obviously we’re going to be in a better position.

“We’re all going to take a look and be better.”

Mace, ever accountable, put the onus on himself.

“You hate what this feels like right now, but it’s a learning lesson,” the CFL’s 2025 Coach of the Year said.

“We’re going to have to address it as a team. That’s obviously with myself first, and then with the rest of the coaches and the players.

“This is pro ball and it didn’t work out for us today.”

Yet, as referenced earlier, there were positive developments:

• Johnson’s one-handed catch (repeat) — part of a game in which he made five receptions for 67 yards.

• KeeSean Johnson’s leaping grab near the sideline for a 28-yard gain, despite tight coverage from Benjie Franklin. Four plays later, Harris found Daniel Wiebe for a 17-yard touchdown.

• The Wiebe touchdown — in the former University of Saskatchewan Huskies standout’s first CFL regular-season game.

• A 10-catch, 112-yard gem by KeeSean Johnson, coupled with eight receptions for 89 yards by Kian Schaffer-Baker. Both of them have more than 300 receiving yards after three games.

• Auspicious debuts by running back Quali Conley (17-yard touchdown run) and defensive lineman Jaylen Pate (first CFL sack).

• Conley and receiver D’Sean Mimbs, making his first pro start, were impactful as blockers.

• A Josh Woods interception on the goal line after Toronto had advanced to Saskatchewan’s 18 early in the game. Woods added a team-high six defensive tackles, one more than safety Jaxon Ford. In addition to tying a career high for defensive tackles, Ford made a special teams stop.

• Saskatchewan has scored 30-plus points in each of its first three games for only the second time in franchise history. The first time: 2013.

• A sack and a tackle for a loss by emerging defensive tackle Ali Saad, who was chosen fourth overall in the 2025 CFL Canadian Draft.

• Alex Hale made all six of his placement attempts (two field goals, four converts).

• Two sacks — and a fine post-game quote — by Rose.

DASHING DAVE

Dave Thomas, CKRM’s voice of the Roughriders, served up an impromptu aside during a group interview with Conley on Wednesday.

Conley: “You have to be a little more patient up here, because the D-line is a yard off the ball. The hole’s probably going to open up a little later, so you can’t rush into it. We call it ‘eye candy.’ It might look good (at first), but once you hit the hole, they’re probably going to come off and tackle you.”

Thomas: “Trust me, I know about eye candy. I’ve been referred to as that many a time. But seriously, when you look at the way you are playing right now and your spot on the roster …”

X-CEPTIONAL!

Jeff Hubbard (@Jeff_Hub on X) had an inspired response to my Friday night social-media post about Conley becoming the 626th player in Roughriders/Regina Rugby Club history to score a touchdown/try in a regular-season or playoff game.

Jeff noted that Conley became No. 626 on 6/26/26.

(Why didn’t I think of that?!)

“KENT AUSTIN” ATTENDS AGM

There was a moment of levity during the Roughriders’ Annual General Meeting on Tuesday at Mosaic Stadium’s SportsCage Lounge.

At one point in the proceedings, Roughriders Board Chair Doug Hodson asked if one of the shareholders could second a motion.

One attendee was particularly quick to raise his hand.

“And what is your name, sir?” Hodson inquired so the seconder’s identity could be included in the minutes of the meeting.

The response: “Kent Austin.”

Brad Weiss happened to be wearing a green and white jersey that included the number (5) and name of the legendary Roughriders quarterback.

ROLL CREDITS …

• Nice people who deserve a plug: John Hoffman, Marlene Hoffman, Chris Hodges, Scott Clark, Lee Jones, Travis Brown, Daniel Wiebe, Rollie Bourassa, Barry Tappin, Jay Dufour, Trevor Novak, James Burgess Jr., Barry Clarke, Rhonda Ekstrom, Greg Yuel, Edward Yuen, Antoine Brooks Jr., Duke McEachern, Maureen MacLeod, Amber MacLeod, Brian MacLeod, Cleveland Vann, Alonzo Emery, Brad Weiss and Kent Austin.