Corey Mace exudes a sense of contentment as he dons a green hoodie while facing the media as the coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Grinning, Mace made a pivotal decision when his team trailed by seven points with just three minutes remaining against the B.C. Lions. Opting for a field goal from the Lions’ five-yard line, the sold-out crowd at Mosaic Stadium erupted as the Riders’ kicking team took the field, with some spectators expressing their opinions audibly.
Rather than aiming to tie the game, kicker Brett Lauther’s 13-yard field goal narrowed the Lions’ lead to 21-17. Mace defended his bold move, emphasizing his confidence in making aggressive decisions for the team, even if they had not always yielded positive outcomes in previous games.
The calculated risk paid off for the Riders as their defense thwarted the Lions’ offense with consecutive unsuccessful possessions. Following a remarkable drive led by quarterback Trevor Harris, culminating in a game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Tommy Neild with just 11 seconds remaining, the Riders secured a thrilling victory.
Despite facing skepticism from the crowd, the players on the field stood by Mace’s decision, emphasizing their trust in his strategic acumen. Looking ahead to the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg against the Montreal Alouettes, the Riders acknowledge the challenges they may encounter, having experienced mixed results against their upcoming opponents during the season.
Reflecting on the recent triumph, veteran running back A.J. Ouellette advised his teammates to remain focused amidst potential distractions. Mace expressed eagerness to analyze the film from the CFL East Final, where the Alouettes secured a narrow victory over the Hamilton Tiger Cats, as he prepares to devise a winning game plan for the Grey Cup showdown.
As the team gears up for the championship game, both Mace and Harris exude confidence and determination, believing that the time has come for the Riders to achieve their ultimate goal.