Roughriders down Redblacks to win season opener

The Saskatchewan Roughriders survived a late comeback attempt to down the Ottawa Redblacks 31-26 for the first win of the 2025 CFL season Thursday night.

Saskatchewan wide receiver Samuel Emilus was a key factor in the win, hauling in eight receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown. The Roughriders never relinquished the lead after Emilus' score put them up 14-7 in the second quarter.

Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown posted a strong stat line despite the loss. The 28-year-old completed 34 of 41 passes for 413 yards and two touchdowns.

Ottawa receiver Eugene Lewis hauled in one of Brown's touchdown passes to extend his touchdown reception streak to nine games dating back to last season. He's just one game shy of tying Terry Evanshen's league record of 10 consecutive contests with a receiving score, which has stood since 1968.

Saskatchewan running back A.J. Ouellette was injured in the victory. He finished with just three carries for 21 yards. Oullette appeared in just eight games during his first season with the club last season. Thomas Bertrand-Hudon took over as the team's top runner after his exit and tallied 57 yards and a score on 14 carries.

The Redblacks will look to capture their first win of the campaign at home against the Montreal Alouettes in Week 2. The Roughriders will be on the road against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats next Saturday.