‘Lots to clean up’: Harris-less Riders defeat Lions, remain undefeated

Hear from Riders' HC Corey Mace and QB Jake Maier after the team's Week 4 win over the B.C. Lions

Despite being without number one quarterback Trevor Harris, the Saskatchewan Roughriders remained undefeated to start 2025 after a 37-18 win over their division foe, the B.C. Lions.

“So proud of this team,” head coach Corey Mace said after the win. “There’s so many people who have been questioned, thrust into positions, and still we find ways to make it work.”

Back-up QB Jake Maier was tasked with leading the Riders’ offence – making his first start with since joining the team in December.

He finished the game with 170 yards on 13 completions, one touchdown and did not throw an interception.

“It wasn’t perfect,” Maier told reporters. “It’s a joy to be apart of this team and I’m just happy to be able to contribute.”

“Knowing Jake, there’s going to be some stuff he wants back,” Mace added. “I was really pleased overall with his with his effort, which was clearly more than enough for us.”

A.J. Ouellette shouldered the load for the offence in Harris’ absence, breaking through for his first 100-yard rushing performance as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“Finally. It took too long [to get 100 yards],” Ouellette said. “No matter who is in at quarterback, a good run game is going to help every team. It’s something we pride ourselves on, we’re going to establish the run and let the playmakers make plays.”

The running back finished with 137 yards rushing on 22 rushes, averaging nearly seven yards per carry.

Ouellette’s touchdown on the Rider’s first possession of the second half gave Saskatchewan some insurance.

“It rallies our team,” Maier said about the running back’s performance. “It makes my life easier and makes our offensive line’s life easier. And that’s a great job as well, to make sure he was getting to the second level. And once you do that with A.J., he’s going to make somebody miss. He had a heck of a game.”

Secondary offence

The Saskatchewan secondary played a huge role in Saturday’s victory.

Three different defensive backs brought in interceptions, including an 89-yard pick-six from Tevaughn Campbell at the end of the first half – which gave Saskatchewan the lead at the time.

“As soon as [the ball] touched my hands, it was over,” the DB said. “In my head I was thinking, ‘Don’t drop the ball and keep your knees up.’ It was a long run, for sure.”

Campbell said coach Mace addressed the defensive back group prior to the game.

“He said, ‘This is [our] game to make,’” Campbell said. “The last three games we won but it wasn’t what we wanted. We definitely had something to prove out there today.”

“We’ve been waiting for a game like this to just feel like ourselves,” Mace said. “There was just so many moments in that game I was really pleased for those guys to have those moments together.”

A throw of firsts

Maier’s TD pass to Dhel Duncan-Busby with three minutes remaining was his first in a Rider uniform and Duncan-Busby’s first CFL touchdown.

“I was just hoping for that ball to come in a little bit quicker,” Duncan-Busby said with a laugh. “But I appreciate Jake for letting me get my first.”

“It was nice to hit a big one down the field,” Maier added. “We hit a couple early and then it was really tough sledding. I think their defense did a pretty good job for the most part. But then Dhel made the play to seal the game.”

Upcoming bye week

The Riders head into a Week 5 bye with a 4-0 record, the exact same record they had in 2024 in head coach Corey Mace’s inaugural season at the helm.

“In totality, it was nice to get the lead an maintain it,” Mace said. “Now, there’s lots to clean up.”

The head coach says he would like to see greater consistency and discipline out of his group.

“Tonight’s one of four,” he said. “Defensively there’s lots we can pick up and offensively, our efficiency to be able to finish games out.”

Mace adds the bye week is coming at a really good time.

“I know the guys are looking forward to it,” he said. “Certainly we’re waiting for a couple of guys to see what their status is coming off the bye and a little bit of time off. Even though it’s only four games in, [it is a] physical, physical football game.”

Saskatchewan’s best start to a season is 6-0, which it achieved all the way back in 2008.

However, it wasn’t all good news Saturday night. Saskatchewan’s offensive line experienced another blow. Guard Trevon Tate suffered an upper-body injury in the second quarter. He appeared to be favouring his arm and was taken to the locker room and did not return for the remainder of the game.

There was no available update on his status but the guard was in a sling after the game, according to Mace.

The Green and White do not play again until Friday, July 11, when they host Calgary.