A lot of new faces and rookies will be on the field for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who play the B.C. Lions, in their first preseason game.

Head coach Corey Chamblin says that is the way it needs to be for the team to succeed.

“That’s what you really have to evaluate in this first preseason game  on both sides of the ball – how these young guys are gonna to do because you know what your starter is gonna to do. But the thing that helps you win a game is when your backups have to get in,” said Chamblin.

One of those back-ups is quarterback J. T. O’Sullivan.

“We work pretty hard for these opportunities, so I’m going to enjoy it. Have fun. Run around. I’m kind of excited to get tackled, so it’s going to be fun,” said O’Sullivan.

Quarterback Darian Durant and receivers Weston Dressler and Rob Bagg will start for the Riders, but will likely be on the sidelines by the time the first quarter ends.

The Roughriders have left many veterans behind. Durant says everyone on the team needs to build some confidence going into the season.

“You don’t want to put too much emphasis on a preseason, but then again, it’s very important. It’s all about establishing a rhythm. It’s about getting new guys acclimated to what we’re trying to do,” said Durant.

The battle to back up Durant will be front and centre during the game. Quarterback Drew Willy is feeling a little more comfortable with the CFL game.

“Learning more and more from Darian and coach Jones, so anything I can take every day to just try to put it in my mental game and take it out to the field and keep learning. I think it’s getting there and coming along.”

Kick-off is at 8 p.m. Wednesday on TSN.