Labour Day clashes between Bombers and Roughriders are classic

By Lethbridge Herald on August 27, 2025.

Graham Kelly

Inside the CFL

Last Saturday, the cream of the CFL crop met at McMahon Stadium with the Calgary Stampeders defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders 32-15. Except for five minutes in the second quarter when the visitors scored two majors to take a 15-14 lead, the locals thoroughly dominated the Green and White for the second time. The defence was outstanding, even though there are a dozen newcomers on that side of the ball. How can they be so good at such a tender age? The answer is coaching by new defensive coordinator Bob Slowik and his boss Dave Dickenson, a serious candidate for the Coach of the Year Award. Observing quarterback Vernon Adams, Jr. up close has been a revelation . He is just as good as Trevor Harris or Bo Levi Mitchell. Former Saskatchewan quarterback Darien Durant says Calgary is the best in the west and will go to the Grey Cup.

Monday will be the 69th Labour Day Classic played in Calgary. The first regular season game the Stampeders played was September 2, 1946, a 9-0 win over the Regina Roughriders. Since then the Red and White’s over-all Labour Day record is 40-27-1. Although they’ve also entertained Toronto, Winnipeg and B.C., since 1982 the opponent has always been Edmonton. The Stamps lead 30-27-1.

Although Calgary swept both Winnipeg and Saskatchewan, Monday they face Edmonton for the first time, so it’s hard to predict how they will match up. According to the stats, the Elks rank near the bottom in most categories. But that’s deceptive. There’s pre-Cody Fajardo and post Fajardo. Since the veteran was given the starter’s job, Edmonton has won three in a row. Justin Rankin is sixth in rushing and first in yards after a catch. Jason Leake is second in punt returns. Still, their four wins were against Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa twice. Except for their 30-20 victory against the quarterback less RedBlacks, they won their other three by a total of 15 points.

Rookie head coach Mark Kilam makes his first return to the Calgary team whose staff he was on for 20 years. His players would love to win it for him. The Elks are making great progress but I can’t see them winning on Monday.

At one time the Labour Day classic was huge in Calgary, almost always a sell-out. That’s no longer the case. Saskatchewan is a bigger draw then Edmonton. A full-house will be a surprise Monday but last Saturday attracted a season high 28, 295. Cowboy boss Jay McNeil is proving to be a master at turning lemons into lemonade.

The Calgary game will be overshadowed by the one in Regina. The biggest crowd ever at Mosaic Stadium will watch the Riders take on Winnipeg. A Roughrider flag was hoisted at City Hall in honour of the 60th playing of the Labour Day Classic.

The two teams did not meet between 1955-1960, 1964-69, 1971, ‘73, ‘76 and 1981. With the exceptioon of the Covid cancellation of 2020, the Bombers and Riders have gone at it every year since 1982. Saskatchewan leads the series 38-21.

The fan base of both teams is characterized by an older demographic where community rivalry still means something.

There will be a huge contingent of Bomber fans while the Rider faithful will rally outside the visitors’ hotel and try to prevent them from getting a good night’s sleep. All in fun, of course.

The Bombers have won six games but they haven’t looked good doing it. Nic Demski is their only receiver in the Top 15. Brady Oliveira is rounding into form but Zach Collaros has really struggled, mostly due to a dearth of receivers and mediocre offensive line. Willie Jefferson leads the league with 11 pass knockdowns but the defence sack total is way down while sacks allowed is way up.

I encountered Trevor Harris after last week’s loss. The usually happy warrior was in a foul, angry mood. I expect him to be on fire Sunday evening. Keep in mind the Roughriders are 8-2, still first over-all. Only Calgary has defeated them. I expect Saskatchewan and Calgary to sweep the week.

Seven of nine CFL teams are losing money. The exceptions are the community owned Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders. While there are other Labouir Day classics, the clash between the Roughriders and Bombers is special.