Riders host Lions as both teams play first game of 2026 CFL season

“I think everyone is excited to get after it for the first time.”

There has been a lot of recent history between the two clubs as the Riders ended the Lions’ season at Mosaic Stadium to punch their ticket to the Grey Cup.

Saskatchewan also won the regular-season series 2-1, with the only loss coming in the final week as the Riders rested a number of starters in the game.

“I don’t know if we can call it a rivalry. They are our next opponent, so I hate them the most. Kudos to some former teammates I’ve had over there in college,” said running back A.J. Ouellette, who was teammates with Lions’ quarterback Nathan Rourke at Ohio University.

A lot of eyes will be on Rourke and the high-powered Lions offence to start the season. Rourke was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian after a 2025 campaign that saw him pass for 5,290 yards and 31 touchdowns while adding 564 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground.

“There are mobile quarterbacks out there who don’t make the throws as well and I think he does both well,” said defensive end James Vaughters, who was one of the veterans the Riders brought in during free agency.

“We’re looking forward to limiting him as much as we can and affecting him as much as we can. That’s our job as a D-line.”

Another new face on defence is linebacker Josh Woods, who had spent five seasons with the Lions.

Mace, who has now handed the defensive co-ordinator title to Josh Bell, admits this is an exciting matchup for defensive-minded coaches.

“I think every offence kind of brings something unique you get excited about from a defensive standpoint. Certainly Nathan Rourke coached by Buck Pierce, there is a lot of cool elements,” Mace said.

“You have to be on it. We will see where we stand and how we feel with where we are at a defence. There’s a few other elements to it. There’s a different defence that is going to be presented out there. It’s not a Corey Mace defence as everyone says. This is Bell and company, and it’s going to be exciting.”

On offence, the Riders will once again be led by quarterback Trevor Harris, who is coming off one of the best seasons of his CFL career. He threw for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Now on Saturday, he will get back to doing what he loves.

“I get to play football. That’s something that I think is one of my super powers is I just like to play ball. I like to be the quarterback, I like to lead and I like to be a part of something bigger than myself and that’s a candle that burns bright no matter what,” Harris, 40, said.

“No more evidence of that when we won the Grey Cup and I didn’t really change how I felt about my career up to this point. I just like to play ball.”

He will have most of his weapons back from last season as KeeSean Johnson, Sam Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker and Dhel Duncan-Busby will all be back for another season with the Riders. The only new weapon joining the group this season is wide receiver Jaylen Johnson, who won a starting job after training camp and two preseason games.

Saturday’s game will see the team unveil the 2025 championship banner and will also be the first game fans can legally tailgate at.

Harris is ready to get back playing in front of the Rider faithful once again.

“I’m grateful we were able to have a championship brought to these people but at the same time, if we just bring one, I don’t think we did them justice,” he said.

“It’s on us to make sure we continue to raise the bar and continue to get better because that’s what this fan base deserves.”

(Image Credit: submitted/Sask. Roughriders)

by Susan McNeil

Riders host Lions as both teams play first game of 2026 CFL season

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