Roughriders prepare for Bombers rematch following Labour Day Classic win

It could be another emotion-filled rematch when the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers meet in the Banjo Bowl in Winnipeg on Saturday.

The Roughriders emerged victorious in the Labour Day Classic, downing the Bombers 19-17 at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday.

As is the case with many of the games in this historic CFL rivalry, the game provided some moments that could seep into the next meeting. The Banjo Bowl is set for Saturday at 2 p.m.

The first play occurred on a punt late in the second quarter, when defensive lineman Lavar Edwards rushed Winnipeg long-snapper Chad Rempel and knocked him to the ground.

It’s against the rules for a player to hit the long-snapper while his head is down. Edwards was not flagged on the play and did not receive any discipline from the league.

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea thought the hit was illegal and approached Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson after the game to share his displeasure about the play.

“He’s trying to protect his players and, looking at the film, we did rough up Rempel a little bit,” Dickenson said after practice Wednesday. “I’ll coach it better.

“I understand why (O’Shea) is upset but there was certainly no malicious intent to injure Chad Rempel or run him over like that.”

Dickenson said he talked to league officials about the play and it was deemed not to be illegal.

Even though the hit led to some tension, Dickenson doesn’t expect Winnipeg to come out looking for retribution in the rematch.

“I hope not,” he said. “I know sometimes it happens but I’ve spoken with Mike and he knows that wasn’t intentional and that we hope Chad’s able to play.”

Another moment that could still be fresh in the minds of Bombers players is seeing kicker Brett Lauther running down the field to join the fans in Pil Country after his game-winning field goal.

Lauther hopped into the crowd to join the celebration, and even chugged a beer from a fan, following his 26-yard field goal as time expired.

Lauther said he and punter Jon Ryan were kicking footballs the Wednesday before the game, and that’s where the idea came to fruition.

“I said I had never kicked a game-winner and if we had one that we’d run up (to Pil Country) and (celebrate with the fans). Four days later it happened,” Lauther told reporters Wednesday. “Even before Winnipeg scored to take the lead, Jon just kind of looked at me and said, ‘I think it’s Pil Country time.’

“After I ran that far, I seriously couldn’t breathe. There was so many people around and so much going on and it was kind of crazy, kind of surreal.”

Lauther dealt with a groin injury that kept him out of five games. He said the game-winner didn’t feel different from any other kick he had to make after fighting through injuries to get back onto the field.

“I don’t feel sorry for myself for what happened (with the injuries),” he said. “No one did that to me on purpose. I was just going out to try and make the kick for the guys.”

The Roughriders (7-3) will take a six-game winning streak into the game against Winnipeg (8-3). The Bombers hold an 8-7 record in the rematch, winning four of the last six.

Notes: According to the CFL’s transaction wire, slotback Jordan Williams-Lambert — who led the Roughriders in receiving yards in 2018 — has rejoined the team. Williams-Lambert signed with the NFL’s Chicago Bears in the off-season but was released. The 25-year-old product of Chicago had 62 catches for 764 yards and four touchdowns for Saskatchewan last season en route to being named the West Division’s most outstanding rookie … Defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy missed Wednesday’s practice. He was at home for the birth of a child … The Green Zone pre-game show gets underway at noon.