‘I hope we made you proud’: Saskatchewan Roughriders defeat Montreal Alouettes 25-17 to win 2025 Grey Cup

While quarterback Trevor Harris had two Grey Cup rings coming into the game, the win gives him his first as a starting quarterback.

“It means so much to me for these guys. Seeing the Saskatchewan (born) guys, seeing the guys that we talked about coming here in free agency like (Malik Carney), and (Tevaughn Campbell) and Mike Rose, this is what we talked about,” Harris said. “The fact they believed in this group and believed in this team and I couldn’t be more grateful that (Jeremy O’Day) and coach Mace, Craig Reynolds and Mueller and their belief in me and just bringing me here to this amazing team and I’m just glad we were able to get a championship delivered for this province.”

Harris was once again super efficient in the game, completing 23 of 27 passes for 302 yards. While he didn’t throw a touchdown, he also didn’t commit a turnover in the game. He was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player.

The win means a lot for centre Logan Ferland, who brings a championship to his home province.

“I’m still in shock. I’m trying to cry but I can’t because I’m thinking I’m in a dream right now,” Ferland said. “This is crazy.”

Ferland and the offensive line helped clear the way for running back AJ Ouellette, who finished with 83 yards and a touchdown. It also helped short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens plunge in twice from one yard out.

Wide receiver Sam Emilus had a big game for Saskatchewan, hauling in 10 passes for 108 yards. The Montreal, Que. product was named the game’s Most Outstanding Canadian.

“It’s incredible. This is the best feeling in the world and I couldn’t be more proud of the guys in this locker room. We made it happen for Rider Nation and the whole province of Saskatchewan,” Emilus said. “We just came and we knew we weren’t going to lose to that team. We just had conviction that we were about to get it done no matter what.”

It also marks the first time Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander has lost a game in the CFL, previously having a 13-0 record. The Riders forced the 27-year-old into throwing three interceptions in the game, with Marcus Sayles, Rolan Milligan and Tevaughn Campbell coming down with the ball. Alexander finished with 284 yards.

This victory was a special one for offensive co-ordinator Marc Mueller. His grandfather, quarterback Ron Lancaster, is a titan when it comes to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“That’s pretty cool (to win for the Riders),” said Mueller as he got choked up thinking about it. “It’s really cool.

“I hope (the party in Regina) is a lot of fun. Everyone deserves to have fun on a night like tonight. This is great. I am going to have lots of fun tonight too — I’m going to have anywhere from 18 and 24 pilsners is my bet.”

During the regular season, Saskatchewan had a CFL-best 12-6 record. They defeated the B.C. Lions in the West Final.

Montreal finished with a 10-8 record to finish in second place in the CFL East Division. They defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Montreal in the East Semifinal before knocking off the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton to reach the Grey Cup.

The Alouettes only managed two rushing touchdowns in the game as running back Stevie Scott and short-yardage quarterback Shea Patterson found the end zone.

But with Montreal trying to complete the comeback, Patterson fumbled the ball at the one-yard line which was recovered by Saskatchewan with about three minutes remaining.

Kicker Brett Lauther missed one of two field goal attempts in the game. He admitted it was tough when he missed that kick in the fourth quarter with under seven minutes to play.

“Could have ended it there but like all year, guys stepped up for me. Just a rough one. No words again — just have to be better but at the end of the day, we won and that’s what we came out here to do,” Lauther said.

This win also allowed head coach Corey Mace to finally receive the long-awaited victory shower — both one with Gatorade and one with champagne.

“No more stiff arms tonight. I’m taking it all in,” Mace said.

This group of Riders will now see their names alongside the all-time greats in the organization as one of the few to bring the Grey Cup to the Land of Living Skies.

American rapper and singer-songwriter MGK rocked the stadium during the Grey Cup halftime show.

Flanked by a backing band and CFL cheerleaders, the singer formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly performed a medley of his hits including Don’t Wait Run Fast off his latest album released this year.

The crowd greeted MGK by illuminating their phones creating a sea of lights.

MGK wore a football jersey during his performance, though not supporting either the Saskatchewan Roughriders or Montreal Alouettes.

The game started with a pre-show from Canadian rock group Our Lady Peace, who sang three songs, and the national anthem was sung by Manitoba country singer, Catie St. Germain.

Prime Minister Mark Carney was also on hand for the game and performed the customary coin toss at centre field.

“Congratulations to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on their hard-earned Grey Cup title tonight – and to the Montreal Alouettes for a game well fought,” the prime minister said in a statement after the Riders’ win.

— with files from Canadian Press

by Britton Gray

‘I hope we made you proud’: Saskatchewan Roughriders defeat Montreal Alouettes 25-17 to win 2025 Grey Cup

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