Blue Bombers edge Roughriders on last-play field goal

First Justin Medlock outkicked his coverage, then he kicked the winning field goal to decide one of the wildest Winnipeg Blue Bombers-Saskatchewan Roughriders Labour Day games ever.

In the last edition of the prairie rivalry staged at Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field on Sunday, Winnipeg (6-4) ended an 11-year losing streak on Labour Day weekend by defeating the Roughriders 28-25. Medlock delivered a 46-yard field goal on the last play of the game, capping a wild fourth quarter where Saskatchewan (1-9) twice rallied to tie the game.

Saskatchewan's Kendial Lawrence gathered in Medlock's 60-yard punt and shocked the capacity crowd with an 85-yard punt-return touchdown to tie the game with 48 seconds to play. Rookie kicker Tyler Crapigna, who also had two missed field goals, then promptly missed the go-ahead convert.

Winnipeg was helped out further on the ensuing drive when Saskatchewan's Justin Cox was called for a questionable pass-interference penalty, moving the ball to the 45-yard line. Roughriders coach-GM Chris Jones was unable to challenge the call after exhausting his appeals earlier in the game.

Matt Nichols was 27-of-39 for a season-high 341 yards and one touchdown, running an efficient attack that had only one two-and-out and did not commit a turnover. Speedster Quincy McDuffie, normally a return specialist, made seven receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown. Former Rider Weston Dressler returned from a five-week absence to add seven receptions for 77 yards. Medlock was 7-of-8 on field goals.

The Blue Bombers' only touchdown came on a one-play drive. Late in the first quarter, Nichols delivered a home-run ball to McDuffie on a backside post in single coverage. McDuffie avoided a diving tackle from Kacy Rodgers and completed the 82-yard scoring play.

Dressler, who was a two-time CFL All-Star during his eight seasons with Saskatchewan, came up just short twice while a spectacular catches in the end zone. Winnipeg settled for field goals on each of those drives.

Saskatchewan's Darian Durant was 36-of-47 for 399 yards and two touchdowns while also adding a rushing TD, helping Saskatchewan rally from a 16-point third-quarter deficit. Durant, however, had two interceptions in the fourth quarter. Winnipeg's C.J. Roberts made the second pick at the Blue Bombers' one-yard line with 2:35 to play.

Rookie receiver Caleb Halley had a breakout game for Saskatchewan with 10 receptions for 121 yards, including a touchdown and two-point convert. Roosevelt (eight catches for 97 yards) and Ricky Collins Jr. (five catches for 97 yards) also had productive afternoons, while Crapigna was 1-of-3 on field goals.

As so often happens with struggling teams, Saskatchewan outgained Winnipeg 437-421, but lost the turnover battle 3-0. The Roughriders drove into Winnipeg's zone five times in the first half without ever running a play inside the 30-yard line. Winnipeg's Khalil Bass and Taylor Loffler each came up with second-down sacks that pushed Saskatchewan out of field-goal range.

The teams meet again in Winnipeg on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.