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
BREAKING | Two children at centre of Sask. Amber Alert found safe in South Dakota, suspect arrested
The Meade County Sheriff’s Office in South Dakota said it has arrested the man wanted in connection with an Amber Alert in Saskatchewan.

Exposure to synthetic 'forever chemical' linked to liver cancer, study finds
Exposure to synthetic ‘forever chemicals’ often polluting the environment has been linked to the most common type of liver cancer, according to a recent study.
Ontario nurse facing charges after alleged assault that left 2-year-old in hospital
An Ontario nurse is facing charges in connection with the alleged assault of a two-year-old boy with “significant medical limitations” in Niagara Region.
Poilievre preferred among Conservatives, but Charest favoured by Canadians: poll
Ontario MP Pierre Poilievre remains the heavy favourite to be the next Conservative party leader but he trails opponent Jean Charest for support among Canadians as a whole.
How one Canadian family of five is coping with the highest inflation in years
With inflation rising at its fastest pace in nearly 40 years, the cost of everything from food to gas has skyrocketed. Canadians across the country are feeling squeezed, but big families with multiple children are at times shouldering much of the higher costs — and changing demographics and consumer patterns have left some of them more exposed to inflation than in previous generations.
Heavier flow, breakthrough bleeding reported among some individuals after COVID-19 vaccine: study
A new study found that people with regular menstruation cycles and those who typically do not menstruate either experienced a heavier flow or breakthrough bleeding after being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Meet Wyatt Sharpe, 13, journalist who's interviewed some of the biggest names in Canadian politics
At the age of 13, Wyatt Sharpe has interviewed the prime minister, a premier, party leaders and cabinet ministers -- and he's not even in high school yet.
Trump arrives for testimony in New York investigation
Donald Trump was being questioned under oath Wednesday in the New York attorney general's long-running civil investigation into his business dealings as a flurry of legal activity surrounds the former U.S. president.
2,300-year-old Chinese chemistry formula deciphered after analyzing ancient coins
The ingredients in a 2,300-year-old ancient Chinese chemistry formula have finally been identified, revealing new secrets about metallurgy in ancient China.