Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list inclu...
Tommy Nield has written his name into the history books of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
With just 11 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the 26-year-old caught a pass from quarterback Trevor Harris to claim a 24-21 win in the CFL West Final, which sent the Riders to the 112th Grey Cup. It’s the first time the Riders will be back in the CFL championship since 2013.
“You can’t really put it into words. It’s just a super exciting moment. I’m thankful to be put in that position. That’s a play you dream about making. I’m just grateful to make a play for my team,” Nield said.
Despite it bringing 33,350 fans to their feet and cheering, Nield admitted he couldn’t tell how loud it was.
“I kind of just blanked out. I know it was loud but I didn’t take it in,” Nield said. “I’ll have to see the audio of it after and take that one in.”
Harris said the seven-play, 76-yard drive the team will remember for a while.
“Everyone did their part in it, whether it was protection or the receivers making plays or us responding as a unit and as a group,” Harris said. “The moment is not going to get to big for this group … We never flinch and that’s kind of what we do.”
Harris said it was a fun way to end.
“I feel like we have gotten the short end of the stick in terms of I don’t know if people were rooting for us or they wanted the other team or whatever it was. We found a way to take it personal,” Harris said. “This group is capable of more — our best football game we haven’t played it.
“Hopefully that can be in Winnipeg next week against Montreal.”
Harris finished with 305 yards and two touchdowns — the game-winner to Nield and a crucial third-and-goal pass to Kian Schaffer-Baker.
On the other sideline, possible CFL Most Outstanding Player winner Nathan Rourke had a solid day for the Lions, throwing for 290 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed in two scores and on the second one in the fourth quarter, the 27-year-old screamed, “It’s our time,” to the fans.
The day before the game, Harris had said it was the Riders’ time and he wasn’t there to talk about Rourke.
“I know my comments yesterday were a little bit more brash than what they normally are but I saw what Nathan said on that sneak, ‘It’s our time.’ I think it’s our time,” Harris said.
A moment in the game that could have become an infamous moment in team history was when head coach Corey Mace elected to kick a 13-yard field goal with just 2:40 left to only reduce the Lions’ lead to four.
Mace admitted he was close to going for the touchdown.
“To take the points, just knowing what we are capable of doing to make sure we are taking points,” Mace said. “Just faith in the guys. That’s all it came down to. I thought about it but pretty easy decision.”
Saskatchewan Roughriders running back AJ Ouellette had over 100 yards in the game against the Lions. (Saskatchewan Roughriders)
AJ Ouellette had a big game on the ground for the Riders. The running back finished with 113 yards on the ground.
Defensive back Marcus Sayles also had a big play in the game after he intercepted a Rourke pass that bounced off a couple of players, including the back of safety C.J. Reavis as the Lions were threatening to score.
Coming into the game, one of the questions fans had was it kicker Brett Lauther would be playing in the game due to his struggles throughout the season. He rewarded the club for their faith, hitting all three field goal attempts and two convert kicks.
“Kind of about time to go out and do that for the guys. I’ve always tried to pride myself a little bit more, being better come playoffs,” Lauther said.
Lauther admits it feels like it’s been a long time coming to get to the Grey Cup.
“Trying to process everything and stuff is going to move quickly but at the end of the day, just preaching the job is not done. We didn’t come this far to just come this far. One more (game) but it definitely feels great,” Lauther said.
Riders punter Jesse Mirco added a rouge in the game.
Lions kicker Sean Whyte missed his only field goal attempt but did hit all three of his convert tries.
The Riders will take on the Montreal Alouettes in the 2025 Grey Cup in Winnipeg on Nov. 16.
