After 13 years of professional football, Trevor Harris has achieved his first Grey Cup victory as a starting quarterback. The 39-year-old from Ohio led the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 25-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes at Princess Auto Stadium, throwing for 302 yards. Harris’s exceptional performance included completing 85.2% of his passes, setting a Grey Cup record. He was rightfully named the game’s MVP.
This victory marked Harris’s third Grey Cup championship, but his first as a starting quarterback, having previously won as a backup with Toronto in 2012 and Ottawa in 2016. Corey Mace, the Riders’ second-year head coach, expressed his unwavering faith in Harris, stating that he always believed in Harris’s potential to reach this pinnacle of success.
The future of Harris in professional football now hangs in the balance as the question arises whether he will retire on a high note or return for his 14th CFL season. Throughout the week leading up to the game, Harris skillfully avoided discussing his feelings of vindication following this Grey Cup triumph, attributing the success to his teammates and their collective efforts.
In the game, Saskatchewan’s Sam Emilus led the Canadian players with 10 receptions for 108 yards, while A.J. Ouellette, the Riders’ running back, rushed for 83 yards and scored a touchdown. The victory parade for the Riders is scheduled for Tuesday in Regina following their fifth Grey Cup title and their first since 2013.
Notably, the Riders made history by handing Montreal’s starting quarterback, Davis Alexander, his first loss after a remarkable streak of 13 consecutive wins. Despite playing with a hamstring injury, Alexander faced a tough Saskatchewan defense that intercepted him three times during the game. Alexander acknowledged his subpar performance, admitting that his turnovers influenced the outcome.
The Grey Cup win was a momentous occasion for both Harris and Coach Mace, with the latter praising the defensive unit’s exceptional performance. The game was not without its suspense, with a missed field goal by the Riders adding tension to the final moments. However, a crucial fumble recovery by Marcus Sayles secured the victory for Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan’s dominance was evident throughout the game, with key plays and strategic decisions contributing to their success. The enthusiastic support of the sellout crowd at Princess Auto Stadium further fueled the Riders’ momentum, culminating in a well-deserved victory over the Alouettes.