Did you know? – Saskatchewan Roughriders History Hosting the CFL West Final
Did you know that 2025 will only be the fourth time the Roughriders have hosted the CFL Western Final as we know it?
In 1973, the CFL implemented a change in their playoff format by introducing a single elimination conference final to decide which two teams would battle in the Grey Cup. Prior to 1973, the west and east finals were contested in a best of three series. The league experimented with changing the format in 1972 when the Riders beat the Bombers in the first single elimination final at Winnipeg. The CFL fully adopted the new format for both conferences for the 1973 season.
The George Reed and Ron Lancaster 1960s & 1970s era of the Roughriders were truly dominant. The team played in and hosted at least one game of a CFL West Final best of three series in each season from 1966 – 1971.
Kickoff of the CFL West Final Game 3 at Taylor Field. (Photo sourced from a YouTube video of the game highlights published by Paul Woods)
In 1976, the Ron Lancaster-led Riders defeated the Edmonton Elks 23-13 in front of nearly 21,868 members of Riderville in Regina. The Green and White would go on to lose the 64th Grey Cup.
Ron Lancaster hands the ball off George Reed. Photo Sourced from the Canadian Press via CBC.ca
Fast forward 33 years later. The fondly remembered Darian Durant-led ‘Riders sent the Calgary Stampeders back to Alberta empty-handed by soundly winning 27-17. In a case of history repeating itself, the ‘Riders then lost the 97th Grey Cup to the Anthony Calvillo-led Alouettes.
QB Darian Durant and LB Kitwana Jones wave to Durant’s parents in the stands after defeating the Stampeders 27-14 (Photo sourced from TSN Broadcast)
Saskatchewan wouldn’t have to wait nearly as long for their third turn hosting the Western Final. In 2019, the Riders found an unexpected gem in short-yardage specialist turned breakout starting QB Cody Fajardo. The Fajardo-led Green and White hosted the Western Final at Mosaic Stadium. A last-second crossbar doink capped off a loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 20-13.
QB Cody Fajardo moments after doinking a pass of the field goal crossbar in a last second attempt to beat the Blue Bombers in the CFL 2019 West Final. (Screenshot Sourced from TSN Broadcast)
Tonight, the Riders host the Western Final for a fourth time—this turn only six years later. The BC Lions will be the fourth different team the ‘Riders face off against with a trip to the Grey Cup on the line. We can only hope the Green and White make it 3 out of 4 and move on to the 112th Grey Cup.
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