Riders readying for rebound against Alouettes
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will look to have a major comeback in week four against the Alouettes on Saturday.
The schedule has the teams playing in a home and home series, something unique about the Canadian Football League (CFL).
“When I first got in the league I was like, ‘We’re playing the same team twice,’ it kind of feels like baseball,” said quarterback, Cody Fajardo. “But when you lose that first game and you are back to back, you’re really eager and excited about the week. The only thing that sucks if you have to watch the bad film for a week.”
The Riders came off a shortened week and had to deal with a tough travel schedule, which may have played a factor in their 37-13 loss over the Alouettes.
“We have to go out there (this week) and have some fun. I noticed that we were low in energy and I think a lot of that is the travel and everything. But coming out with some high energy and using our fans the best we can (is key this week),” said Fajardo.
The team will need to have a better start to the game than last week after they allowed Montreal to return for a touchdown on the first play of the game.
“That’s one of our points of emphasis this week is we have to find ways to improve in special teams, covering guys, and we can’t get blocked,” said head coach, Craig Dickenson.
The Riders only had one full practice under their belt before heading to Montreal and that proved to be a major factor for the offensive line who allowed eight sacks on the night. For Logan Bandy, it meant fewer reps before he took over Dan Clark’s place at centre, who was injured in week two
“We have to be better as a group. Communication is really where we need to start, then it’s speed and violence. After that, we’re really focusing on verbal and nonverbal communication this week,” said Bandy.
“This week we already feel great just starting to get that chemistry down. It is a lot of building that relationship with the guys on the O-line. It’s just knowing what they’re thinking,” said offensive lineman, Logan Ferland.
Wide Receiver Duke Williams is ready to put on a show after last week. Even though the receiver had four receptions for 101 yards and one touchdown, he still holds himself to a higher standard.
“I played a bad game. So this week I have to continue to be better. Last week that wasn’t me. I made good catches, yes, but I know how I can compete so this week is going to be a different story,” said Williams.
This will be the final regular season meeting for the Riders and Alouettes. Kickoff is Saturday at 5:00 p.m. on TSN.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Israel gave U.S. last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says at G7
The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received 'last minute' information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.