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In the 1960s, Saskatchewan only missed the playoffs twice which was in 1960 and 1961.In the 1962 season, the Roughriders finished with an 8-7-1 record and once again made it to the playoffs. In the total point series against Calgary, the Stampeders won the series, and eliminated the Roughriders from playoff contention again.
In the 1966 season, the Roughriders finished in first place for the first time since 1951 with a 9-6-1 record. With first place, Saskatchewan was in the west final against Winnipeg. In the end, Saskatchewan defeated the Blue Bombers 21-19 and was playing for the Grey Cup for the first time since 1951. Saskatchewan's opponent in the Grey Cup was the Ottawa Rough Riders. During the game, Saskatchewan and Ottawa were tied 14-14 at halftime, but in the second half Saskatchewan took the lead and never looked back as the Roughriders won their first Grey Cup when they defeated the Rough Riders 29-14 with help from their stars Ron Lancaster and George Reed.
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Game jersey worn by Ron Lancaster.1963-1978
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Game worn jersey of George Reed.1963-1975
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The 1966 Saskatchewan Roughriders.Circa 1966
Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
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With the momentum with last season Grey Cup victory, Saskatchewan finished in second place with a 12-4 record and played against Edmonton in the semi-final. In the semi-final Saskatchewan defeated the Eskimos 21-5. Saskatchewan's next opponent was the first place Calgary Stampeders in the best of three series. In the first game of the series, Calgary defeated the Roughriders 15-11 in Calgary. The next game played in Regina; the Roughriders defeated Calgary 11-9 with the help of four interceptions. The third and deciding game of the series was played in Calgary in which the Roughriders defeated Calgary 17-13 and went back to the Grey Cup. In the Grey Cup Saskatchewan played against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Hamilton, whose defense had not let up a touchdown in five straight games, kept to the pattern and defeated Saskatchewan 24-1.19
In the 1968 season, Saskatchewan finished in first place with a 12-3-1 record, and got to play in the West Final against the Calgary Stampeders. In the West Finals it was a best out of three series in which Calgary won two games to none. In the following season, the Roughriders once again finished in first place in the West division and had once again went to the West Finals. Much like last year their opponent once again was Calgary. Saskatchewan learning from their mistakes took it to the Stampeders and won the won the series two games to none and advanced to the Grey Cup against the Ottawa Rough Riders in a 1966 rematch. While the results were not the same as in 1966, as Saskatchewan was defeated 29-11, the Roughriders saw solace that they beat their new rivals from Calgary in the West Final.20
In the 1970 season, pundits have chosen the Roughriders to not be very good this year, because they lost some key players but were shocked by the dominance that the Roughriders had that year. Saskatchewan once again finished in first place with a 14-2 record and was on their way to the West Final for the third straight year. Once again like the previous two years, the Stampeders were their opponent. In the end, Calgary won the game with a field goal with no time left to end the season of the Roughriders. 1970 was the best year, Saskatchewan had in their franchise but it was not good enough for them to even make it to the Grey Cup. In 1971, Saskatchewan regressed a little. For the first time in three seasons, the Roughriders finished in second place with a 9-6-1 record and had to play a semi-final game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Saskatchewan easily defeated the Blue Bombers 34-23, and once again had to face their antagonists Calgary in the West Final series. Much like years past, Calgary defeated the Roughriders and eliminated them from contention.21
In the 1972 season, Saskatchewan was going downhill in the standings finishing 8-8 and in third place for the first time in seven years. While Saskatchewan still made the playoffs, they were not doing so well losing five of its last seven games, but it was the playoffs and Saskatchewan was ready for Edmonton in the semi-final. In the semi-final game Saskatchewan defeated the Eskimos 8-6 and was off to play Winnipeg in the West Final. In the game, much again everyone choose Winnipeg to easily defeat the Roughriders, but Saskatchewan had different ideas. With the game tied 24-24, the last play was decided on one of the craziest play ever in the CFL. With six seconds left, Saskatchewan kicker Jack Abendschan missed the field goal from the Blue Bombers 32. Winnipeg's Mike Law decided to kick it back out of the end zone. Ron Lancaster caught the ball and kicked it right back into the end zone, then Winnipeg's Paul Williams punted it out to the 30 yard line, where another Blue Bomber player Charlie Collins downed the ball. With all that Winnipeg was penalized and Saskatchewan got another chance to win the game with a field goal, and this time they did and were off to the Grey Cup to face off against the Hamilton Tiger Cats. In the Grey Cup game itself, more heartbreak for the Roughriders as they lost 13-10 by a last second field goal.22
Game helmet worn by George Reed during the 1972 Grey Cup.25 November 1972
Ivor Wynne Stadium, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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From 1973-1975, Saskatchewan finished in second place in the West Division and always faced Edmonton in the West Final. In those three seasons, Edmonton defeated the Roughriders, thereby stopping the Roughriders from reaching another Grey Cup.In the 1976 season, Saskatchewan returned to first in the division for the first time in six years, and got a home playoff game against Edmonton for the fourth straight year. In the West Final game Edmonton was defeated 23-13 and Saskatchewan was once again going to the Grey Cup. In the Grey Cup, Saskatchewan's opponent was once again Ottawa. Saskatchewan was for the first time heavy favourites to win the Grey Cup, but still managed to lose the game 23-20. Saskatchewan had lost the Grey Cup for the 12th time.
For the rest of the decade, Saskatchewan did not make the playoffs. Their best record during those three seasons was 8-8, while their worst was 2-14.
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An 1976 Grey Cup ticket.28 November 1976
CNE Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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In 1988, after 11 years, Saskatchewan returned to the playoffs when they finished with an 11-7 record and second place in the division. Even with all the success that Saskatchewan had that year, Taylor Field was not even sold out for the playoff game against the BC Lions. It seemed like Saskatchewan was happy to be in the playoffs after so many years out, and they played that way too losing 42-18 in front of their home crowd.26
In the 1989 season, Saskatchewan finished the season with a 9-9 record and third place. In the playoffs Saskatchewan first played against Calgary. In the semi-final game, Saskatchewan shocked Calgary in front of the Stampeders home crowd 30-26 and went to Edmonton to play in the west final. In the West Final, Saskatchewan beat the heavily favoured Eskimos 32-21 by gritty defensive plays. In this season where Saskatchewan was not even to be in the playoffs, they were one win away from capturing the Grey Cup.27
In the Grey Cup against Hamilton, Saskatchewan once again was not favoured to win the title, but through determination, Saskatchewan pulled an upset against Hamilton and won the Grey Cup 43-40 with a last second field goal by kicker Dave Ridgway, winning Saskatchewan's first Grey Cup in 23 years. |
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