Lauther loves that winning feeling

Brett Lauther always wanted a Grey Cup victory to resonate — but not for 335 days.

After helping the Saskatchewan Roughriders post a 25-17 championship-game victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Nov. 16, Lauther waited nearly a year to celebrate another non-pre-season win.

The ice was broken on Saturday, when Lauther scored 10 points for Saskatchewan in its 16-12 home-field victory over Montreal.

“It was a surreal moment,” Lauther said after Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “I’m thankful to get one. Hopefully they just come in bunches now.”

Lauther began the 2026 CFL season with the Ottawa REDBLACKS, who did not post a victory until Friday night. Ottawa was 0-14 when Lauther was traded back to Saskatchewan on Sept. 30.

The REDBLACKS, mind you, did win both their pre-season games.

“I dressed for one of them and I kicked two extra points, so I really contributed to the pre-season wins, for sure,” Lauther joked.

Lauther had been on an 18-7 roll until joining the REDBLACKS, who finally hit the win column by outlasting the visiting Toronto Argonauts 40-39.

“I definitely messaged some of the guys and some of the coaches,” he said. “I was definitely very happy for them and for the league. I think it’s good for the league (not to have a winless team).

“They were in so many games like that throughout the year when I was there and found different ways to lose.”

Ottawa scored the game-tying touchdown when Bryson Barnes, making his first CFL start, fired a 24-yard strike to Ayden Eberhardt with six seconds remaining. Paul Geelen added the game-winning convert at TD Place Stadium.

“To see Bryson pull one out and Ayden make that catch and Paul put the extra point through, it was really good to see the (special teams) unit go out and close that off,” said Lauther, who also lauded the snap (by Lucus Spencer) and the hold (Noah Gettman) on the decisive point after.

“I was just happy for those guys to get one and to feel it.”

The waiting game continued for Lauther, albeit for only 20 more hours.

He received a game ball after kicking three field goals — including a 52-yarder — on Saturday to help the Roughriders clinch a playoff berth.

“It was super cool,” Lauther said of his first Roughriders home-game appearance since the 2025 Western Final. “It was awesome to get back out here. Not only was it the first win, but my first game back in this stadium — not getting to play in the Ottawa game (due to injury) when we came over (for an Aug. 7 game).”

The win was also the first this season for defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado, who was with the Roughriders from 2023 to 2025 before signing with Ottawa as a free agent.

Baldonado rejoined the Roughriders on Sept. 10, only to endure four defeats in a row with Saskatchewan before its losing streak was snapped on Saturday.

“Shout-out to Haba,” Lauther said. “We kind of shared a little moment in the dressing room after the game, just as a joke.

“We’re on to the next one. We’re looking forward to another one this weekend.”

The Roughriders (9-8) are to return to action on Saturday against the Edmonton Elks (1 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).

A victory would give Saskatchewan third place in the West Division and a first-round playoff date with the host B.C. Lions on Oct. 31.

In the event of a loss on Saturday, the Roughriders would finish fourth in the West and cross over to the East Division for the playoffs. Saskatchewan would then meet the Toronto Argonauts on Halloween.

Either way, Lauther is excited about the stretch run.

“It’s the best,” he said. “It’s why you play as a competitor. It’s what you look forward to all year. I’m just thankful for the opportunity, each and every week. Getting to play another home game here at Mosaic is something I always cherish.

“It’s a little bit opposite of last year, but we get to kind of be the Road Warriors. For me, at least, I look forward to a challenge like that. I’m looking forward to this weekend first and then, after that, we’ll find out where we’re going.

“It’s just 1-and-0 three more times.”