WINNIPEG — The Banjo Bowl is suddenly missing a string.

A streak of five consecutive losses by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Labour Day Rematch was snapped on Saturday afternoon when the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers fell 21-13.

It was the first of three victories the Roughriders hope to celebrate in Winnipeg this year.

Saskatchewan, which on Saturday secured the season series against Winnipeg, is to return to the Manitoba capital for an Oct. 17 collision of arch-rivals.

Ideally, the Roughriders will represent the CFL’s West Division — which they lead with a league-best 10-2 record — in the 112th Grey Cup Game, to be played on Nov. 16 at Princess Auto Stadium.

But first things first.

The Green and White took another progressive step on Saturday by winning in Winnipeg for the first time since Sept. 8, 2018.

“It feels like it has been a while — too long,” said Brett Lauther, who debuted as the Roughriders’ full-time placekicker seven calendar years ago.

“It still counts as just one win, but sometimes they feel a little bigger with the Labour Day Classic and the Banjo Bowl, so it’s nice to sweep those two.

“I know we still have to come back here one more time but, right now, the boys are going to enjoy it for 24 hours and then get back to work.”

Lauther has played a prominent role in the Roughriders’ last two victories in Winnipeg.

In 2018, he was 6-for-6 on field-goal attempts to help Saskatchewan prevail 32-27. The Blue Bombers led by one point before the guests registered two field goals in the final three minutes.

Lauther also provided the winning points on Saturday, when he went 5-for-5 on field goals.

Saskatchewan trailed 13-3 in the second quarter before erupting for four interceptions — let’s just call it Banjo pickin’! — and 18 unanswered points.

He put the Roughriders ahead for the duration by kicking a 41-yarder at 1:36 of the fourth quarter. He subsequently split the uprights from distances of 33 (at 8:42) and 35 (14:50).

The only blemish was a missed convert following A.J. Ouellette’s five-yard TD run.

“It wasn’t perfect by any means,” Lauther said. “I missed a crucial extra point, still, but a win’s a win.

“It’s about the team winning, and nothing about me.”

Yet, Lauther has been the focus of many fans and media commentators during a season in which his numbers are atypical.

The most accurate placekicker in franchise history — someone who has made 82.1 per cent of his field-goal attempts in green and white — elevated his 2025 accuracy rate to 70.0 by going 5-for-5 on Saturday.

“Obviously, it has been a really challenging season, but I’m just trying to go 1-for-1 (each time) and keep that focus,” he said. “The past is behind me and all I can try to control is the future.

“The guys in the room have been great. Everyone on this team has been great and I’m just trying to do it for them.”

That was his sole focus as Roughriders celebrated a 10-2 record for only the third time in franchise history.

“I don’t try to take away as much as maybe outsider people think for how I personally play,” Lauther said. “I’m always trying to do my best and want to play better, no matter the circumstances.

“But, at the end of the day, football is about winning games. I’m never trying to win any individual award. I’m just trying to win the Grey Cup. I haven’t done that yet and this is just another step on the ladder.”

It was left to others, then, to highlight Lauther’s contributions on Saturday.

“We were happy to have him today,” Head Coach Corey Mace said. “I know he missed the extra point and he’s going to be hard on himself about that and, rightfully, we want him to make those.

“But he was clutch when we needed him. I’m just proud of how he has been pushing through the adversity.”

Trevor Harris echoed Mace’s sentiments.

“We’ve always known who that guy is and that guy’s awesome,” the Roughriders’ starting quarterback said of Lauther. “I’m just happy for him, because I know that belief in yourself can sometimes be volatile.

“I think after a 5-for-5 performance, he can kind of sit back and say, ‘OK, let’s go.’ ”

Although the emphasis is on looking to the future, Jermarcus Hardrick cheerfully opted to rewind when asked about Lauther.

“I love Brett,” the Roughriders’ right tackle said. “He was my roommate in 2015 when we were both on the practice squad, so Brett is my guy.

“Every kick he makes is important. I’ve got his back for life. No matter about results, I’ve got his back for life.”