As the Saskatchewan Roughriders took to the field Saturday for the first time in 2026 – a black cover blanketed a section of the wall at the north end of Mosaic Stadium. For those familiar with the Rider’s home turf, they know that’s where the years 1966, 1989, 2007, and 2013 are proudly displayed – recognizing the franchise’s four previous Grey Cup championship teams. On Saturday, fans celebrated the accomplishments of 2025 as the Roughriders dropped the sheet to unveil the franchise’s fifth championship year. While fans were ecstatic to mark last year’s feat, players on the field had already moved on. “I did look up there at one point and I was like, ‘Oh, 2025, cool,” quarterback Trevor Harris told reporters following the game. “But I did see an open space to the right of it as well, which I’m sure [Corey Mace] will remind me throughout this year at some point.” Saskatchewan achieved a 31-27 victory over the B.C. Lions in front of the home crowd Saturday night during the team’s season and home opener. Throughout the week, the Riders were adamant that “2025 died” and their focus was solely on the upcoming season. However, anticipation for what was to happen on the gridiron far exceeded the desire to reflect on past accomplishments. “That was more, I think, for our fan base, who deserve that,” head coach Corey Mace was quick to point out. The guys were ready to play. I heard multiple dudes saying, ‘Hurry up. Like, let’s go.’” “We’ve been waiting long enough to play a game. We’ll check that [banner] out forever. But in that moment, we were just dialed in on the task at hand, and that was trying to go 1-0,” he added. “We do everything for [the fans],” receiver Samuel Emilus said. “It was nice to see the banner coming down and seeing the fans come back in Mosaic Stadium, but seeing the banner and giving them a win is a little bit better.” Rookie Desmond Evans also has his eyes focused on the empty space beside ‘2025’ as the team looks to repeat their Grey Cup winning performance, something Saskatchewan has never done. “They got the ring and everything, that’s cool but we’re in 2026 now,” he said. “That’s our focus.” If you asked Jermarcus Hardrick where the banner is, he may not even be able to tell you. “I haven’t even looked at yet,” he said. “I saw it one time when they were putting it up; I didn’t look at it, I looked at the screen. I just focused back in. I’ve been in a couple celebration days and you can get punched in the mouth if you’re starring at that.”
