It took 12 years for the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ No. 12 to get to another Grey Cup Game.
Brett Lauther was a rookie with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats when they visited the former Taylor Field grounds to oppose the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL championship game of Nov. 24, 2013.
Lauther, who was then on the Tiger-Cats’ practice roster while ex-Roughrider Luca Congi handled the placekicking, watched from the east sideline as Saskatchewan won 45-23.
His seventh season as a full-time Roughrider will conclude on Nov. 16 when the Montreal Alouettes provide the opposition at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.
“It will be extremely different for me,” Lauther said with a chuckle at Mosaic Stadium after the Roughriders defeated the B.C. Lions 24-21 in Saturday’s Western Final.
“I still remember how cold that week was (in 2013). It was actually pretty warm for the game, so I wasn’t too hurtin’ then, but we kind of came out as a younger team and got our butts whipped. Now, to get out there and actually play in one, I’m just looking forward to that.
“I’m so happy for the guys. We bought one more week as a family here. There are so many guys in this room I’m so proud of, from top to bottom — the whole organization, the fan base.
“It’s special. I don’t really have words for it.”
Who needs words? His actions spoke volumes.
Lauther was flawless on Saturday, going 3-for-3 on field goals and 2-for-2 on converts.
He concluded the scoring with 11 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, converting a game-winning, three-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Harris to Tommy Nield before 33,350 eyewitnesses at a sold-out stadium.
“We needed every point,” Lauther said.
“With that last drive by Trevor and the ups and downs of that game, it’s probably the craziest, best game I’ll ever be a part of. I’m just thankful for it.”
The 35-year-old product of Truro, N.S., improved his career playoff numbers to 21-for-23 on field goals — a 91.3-per-cent accuracy rate — and 10-for-10 on converts.
Lauther’s placekicking proficiency was crucial in a division final that was decided by only three points.
His opposite number, Sean Whyte, led the CFL in regular-season field-goal accuracy (95.1 per cent). He followed up by going 4-for-4 in a 33-30, Western Semifinal victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Nov. 1.
Whyte hit all three of his converts on Saturday, but barely missed his only field-goal attempt — a 42-yarder that struck the right upright.
The Roughriders are now preparing to meet an Alouettes team that advanced to the Grey Cup by defeating the visiting Tiger-Cats 19-16 on Saturday.
It took 121 regular-season and playoff appearances by the Roughriders for Lauther to celebrate a Grey Cup berth with his teammates.
“It feels like a long time coming,” he said. “It still doesn’t feel real, honestly. I’m trying to process everything and stuff’s going to move quickly.
“At the end of the day, we’re preaching to everyone that the job’s not done. There’s one more game.
“But I can’t lie. It definitely feels great right now.”
Especially when you consider the degree to which the community-minded Lauther has embraced Regina and Saskatchewan, along with his wife (Jill) and newborn daughter (Townes). Few players, if any, interact with Roughriders fans on a wider or more frequent basis.
“This is for them,” Lauther said. “I’m not perfect and I’ve had a lot of ups and downs (this season). I totally understand everything that comes my way (in terms of criticism).
“But everything I try to do during the off-season and in the season is for them. I feel like it’s my home away from home.
“I’ve got a lot of people I consider family here who have stuck with me through the highs and lows. Right now, this is all just for them.”
