Riders looking for redemption in final regular season matchup with Blue Bombers
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have yet to get a win against the rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers this season.
The two teams met in the Labour Day Classic and Banjo Bowl where the Bombers outscored the Riders 74-38. The team was dealing with an illness in their last matchup in Winnipeg, but the Bombers did not hold back in the 54-20 victory.
“We can’t let the game slip away because this is a good team. If you fall behind, it’s going to be hard to come back, especially playing in Winnipeg,” said defensive lineman Pete Robertson.
“That’s fuel to the fire. We know this is a big game because it’s the next one. We are ready and you know it’s playoff football from here on out,” said linebacker Derrick Moncrief.
The Riders are still in the hunt for a playoff spot and with the West Division tight between the BC Lions and Calgary Stampeders, it could see the Riders cross over to the East in the playoff format. Which as of right now, would mean Saskatchewan has to finish with a better record than Hamilton.
Currently the Riders have two games at hand over the Ti-Cats. But, the Riders will be in tough against the top team in the league this week, also having lost seven of their last nine games.
“We try to focus on this task at hand. This is a new game, new life, it’s a new week. We can’t look backwards, we got to look forward,” said Moncrief.
The defence will look to stop star quarterback Zach Collaros, who is leading the league in passing touchdown and sits second in passing yards.
“We just have to get back to putting pressure back there. Getting more attack defence and that’s what we have to do to get him uncomfortable,” said Robertson.
“The biggest things is do your job. All 12 guys, just line up, and execute. Do what you got to do to win your one on ones,” said Moncrief.
The team will hold a closed practice on Wednesday before travelling to Winnipeg on Thursday.
Kickoff for Friday’s game is 6 p.m. on TSN.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
In his new book 'As Long as You Need', hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
NEW From window blinds to motorcycle helmets, here are the recalls in Canada this week
Here are the various items Health Canada recalled this week, including motorcycle helmets, power adapters, and bicycle cranksets.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Stabbed Sydney Assyrian church bishop says he forgives attacker
An Assyrian church bishop who was stabbed during a service at his church said on Thursday he was recovering quickly, and that he had forgiven his attacker as police ramped up investigation into the riots triggered after the bishop's stabbing.