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The Saskatchewan Roughriders say they’re disappointed and frustrated after Saturday night’s loss to the B.C. Lions in the CFL West Division semifinal.
“It’ll always suck. Unfortunately, people in this profession will feel like this more than they feel like we did last year,” said head coach Corey Mace while talking to reporters on Sunday.
The Riders lost 33-26 after being up 17-13 at halftime.
“I think we’re all crazy enough to think every year is our year. And I truly believe that. Our guys truly believe that, which is why it sucks,” Mace said.
Saskatchewan Roughriders’ head coach Corey Mace speaks with reporters on Sunday. (Adam Bent/CBC)
Quarterback Trevor Harris said it’s a big difference compared to last year, when the Riders brought home the Grey Cup.
“It’s been a tough morning for me emotionally. I love this place. And I wanted to deliver a championship and we didn’t,” Harris said.
He said the team has some things to work on, but he believes next season will be better, partly because of Mace’s leadership.
“Bright days are always ahead when you got that man at the helm,” Harris said.
Defensive back Tevaughn Campbell said the loss was disappointing because the Riders started out strong offensively and defensively.
“It just started not falling in our favour and a few plays here and there really decided the game for us,” Campbell said.
He said the team was hoping to be the first in Rider history to win back-to-back Grey Cups.
“It just hurts, especially because I know we had the opportunity to do it. We had the chance, we had the teams, we had the guys,” Campbell said.
Harris didn’t say whether or not he’d be playing for the Riders again next season, but he did say he didn’t feel like slowing down.
“Father time will catch me when I stop and that’s not in my DNA,” Harris said.
However, Harris also said he didn’t want to make an emotional decision.
“Like I said last year, I won’t come back unless I know I can be a tier one quarterback,” Harris said.
Offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick also said he doesn’t know what’ll be in store for him next season, but he hopes to play for the Riders and make it to the Grey Cup in Regina in 2027.
“I wanna be a part of that. I wanna really wanna just show how great Mace is, how great this province is. I wanna give more,” Hardrick said.