Riders lose second preseason game to Bombers

The Saskatchewan Roughriders finished the 2025 CFL preseason without a win — and nearly without a touchdown drive

Winnipeg came into Mosaic Stadium and earned a preseason sweep over the Riders on Friday, winning 27-20. The Riders announced 26,293 tickets were distributed for the game, but there were plenty of empty seats in the stadium for the contest.

The game started over an hour late due to poor air quality caused by smoke from the wildfires raging in northern Saskatchewan.

With it being preseason, the coach’s attention is on evaluating players as Saturday’s final cuts are soon due.

“At first glance, there’s going to be some tough conversations in there. It’s a good thing,” said Riders’ head coach Corey Mace.

“We pushed those guys to really understand the reality of it and those jokers fought to the very dang end and there were some guys who made some really good plays tonight.

“When we go back and look at the tape, detail-oriented stuff is what we are looking for. There might be some guys who didn’t answer the bell but the tape will tell.”

With just 27 seconds left in the game, running back Mario Anderson Jr. rumbled into the end zone for a four-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Jack Coan connected with University of Saskatchewan Huskie Daniel Wiebe for the successful two-point conversion.

“It would have been better if it was the game-winning touchdown but it was still good to get in (the end zone), hopefully have some good momentum going into the season, but it was fun,” Coan said.

Saskatchewan elected to sit 14 presumed starters for the game as the Riders open up the CFL season on June 5 against the Ottawa Redblacks. Kickoff for the game at Mosaic Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

Winnipeg won the first meeting between the two clubs 15-9.

With quarterback Trevor Harris not playing, Mace gave Jake Maier and Coan a half of football each to show what they can do.

Maier, who joined the Riders in the offseason after his negotiation rights were traded from the Calgary Stampeders to Saskatchewan, finished the game with nine completions in 15 attempts for 113 yards and an interception.

“It was good to be out there. It is what it is, right? It felt like we had our opportunities to keep some drives going — and we did at times — then we had some where we had some unlucky breaks, some bad bounces and it got away from us,” Maier said.

Coan had 189 yards on 18 pass completions in the game.

Offensively, the star of the game was wide receiver Joe Robustelli. The training camp standout had 119 yards on six catches in the game.

“It means a lot (to have this performance). Quitting the game so early and chasing a dream so late, it means the world to come out here and perform,” Robustelli said.

Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver Joe Robustelli led the way for the team on offence in their second preseason game of 2025. (Saskatchewan Roughriders/submitted)

Saskatchewan defensive end Liam Hoskins had two sacks in the game.

“It was pretty exciting for sure. Obviously, we didn’t get the result we wanted. The ball came my way today,” said Hoskins, who was the Riders’ fifth-round draft pick (43rd overall) in this year’s CFL draft.

“It means a lot for sure. There are ups and downs in camp and I know there are a lot of eyes on the preseason games and obviously I am doing my best to try and make the team. It means a lot.”

Defensive back Eddie Heckard forced the only turnover by Winnipeg, intercepting a pass from Chris Streveler.

Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros, who only came in for the second series of the game, completed both of his pass attempts for 80 total yards and a touchdown to Keric Wheatfall.

Streveler, who was the starter for the game, completed eight of his 10 attempts for 76 yards and a touchdown — also to Wheatfall.

Bombers defensive end Phillip Webb recorded a touchdown after he recovered a fumble by running back Anderson Jr. and returned it 90 yards.

Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo was good on both of his field goal attempts.

Riders kicker Brett Lauther made three field goals while Dawson Hodge also converted on a field goal attempt.

So while the game didn’t end until late in the evening, there’s not much time for Mace and his coaching staff to rest.

“Now it’s go upstairs and get some film done. Hopefully, get a few hours of sleep and we are going to jump right into narrowing down the roster,” Mace said.

“There’s going to be some long meetings there to make sure we are really thinking about who it is that we want to ultimately make the opening day roster.”