Riders hoping to build on strong defensive performance
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defence will be looking to build off a lights-out performance in their week two win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Two interceptions, two fumbles and two turnovers on downs, the Riders were all over the Ti-Cats, forcing six turnovers in total.
"We’re playing hard and we’re getting to the football," Riders head coach Craig Dickenson said. "We’re not playing perfect, for sure, and we’ve got to shore some things up, but we’ve made improvements from game one to game two."
The defence had six sacks to go with the half-dozen takeaways. Saskatchewan leads the CFL with eight sacks through two games.
Veteran defensive tackle Micah Johnson said he’s impressed with how quickly the line has come together.
"It’s showing around the board, it’s a lot of talent, so it’s just about guys doing their jobs and we’re waiting for your turn because your turns gonna come," Johnson said.
Ottawa finished with 127 yards in its week one win over the Edmonton Elks.
Despite the lack of production from the Redblacks, Saskatchewan knows the big play ability is still there.
"We have to come out ready to go because they’re going to come out ready to go, they’re a fiery group and they have some character over there, they have some guys that have a lot of fight in them," Johnson said.
The Riders have started strong in each of their two wins and they’re hoping for more of the same against Ottawa on Saturday.
"We got an idea of what to expect, so just try to make these guys one dimensional, so we can get the pass rush going along the D-line," Riders linebacker Deon Lacey said.
Lacey knows Ottawa quarterback Matt Nichols well from their time together in Edmonton. He said Nichols can be dangerous if he has time.
"With his quick game, if he can get the protection and get the ball downfield, he's pretty good at putting the ball where it needs to be, so that's why we're gonna try to disrupt them early," Lacey said.
The Riders are preparing for a heavy dose of running back Timothy Flanders, who was arguably the Redblacks’ best weapon in week one, in the air and on the ground, finishing 39 yards rushing and seven receiving.
But the Riders have been good stopping the run, allowing only 79 rushing yards in two games so far.
"He’s a short, stout guy, he gets his feet going downhill and he can do some damage, but you get him stopping his feet and he’s not as effective," Lacey said.
On the injury front, Saskatchewan saw offensive lineman Brett Boyko return to practice on Thursday after missing last week with an illness. Dickenson expects him to play.
A.C. Leonard also participated in practice and expects to play on Saturday.
The Riders and Redblacks meet at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday at 5 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Murder charge laid after man falls to death from Toronto apartment balcony
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Zendaya tennis movie ‘Challengers’ scores at weekend box office
Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino's original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Quebec to invest $603 million to protect the French language
Quebec will invest $603 million over five years to counter the decline of French in the province, French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge announced Sunday.
Nicole Kidman, who 'makes movies better,' gets AFI Life Achievement Award
Morgan Freeman spoke the words, but pretty much everyone who took the stage at the presentation of the AFI Life Achievement Award agreed: "Nicole Kidman. She makes movies better."