Riders hoping to hit high notes in Banjo Bowl clash

The Saskatchewan Roughriders hope the music in the air is the silence of Winnipeg fans during the 2021 Banjo Bowl.

The Riders find themselves needing to even the season series with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after suffering a rare loss during the Labour Day Classic last weekend. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is 2 p.m.

“Being from this province, (the Labour Day Classic) is the biggest game of the year,” Riders centre Dan Clark said on Tuesday, the first practice following the team’s 23-8 loss. “If you lose every other game, you don’t want to lose that one.”

The loss Sunday was only the second time in the past 16 meetings that the Riders have lost the Labour Day Classic showdown to the Bombers.

But the Banjo Bowl tends to be a much more of a toss-up.

The series, which started in 2003, has been split 9-7 in favour of the Bombers, with Winnipeg beating Saskatchewan 35-10 in the 2019 edition.

“You go from having 33,000 behind you to 33,000 against you. That atmosphere is one of a kind in both (stadiums). We are in a hostile environment and we have to capitalize as a unit and go in there and handle our business,” Clark said. “It’s everything an athlete wants to be in. It’s a high-pressure environment and how well can you respond?”

Riders quarterback Cody Fajardo believes he played his worst game as a professional in the Labour Day Classic. The pivot faced pressure throughout most of the game and was sacked three times en route to completing 23 of 39 pass attempts for 211 yards and three interceptions.

“Too many times in that game I thought they were doing one thing and then they switched into another and it kind of threw me off my rhythm,” Fajardo said. “That’s something I learned watching the tape and let the game come to me and not force anything or expect something presnap.”

The Riders will also look to get some big plays on offence, something the team has been missing throughout its first four games. The Riders have only hit on two pass plays that have gone over 30 yards, with the longest being 31.

Fajardo admits he’s just missed on a few throws so far, including one to slotback Kyran Moore that could’ve led to an early touchdown against the Bombers.

“You miss a long throw like that, you have a little bit of self-doubt creep in,” Fajardo said. “Some of those big plays early pay dividends towards the end of the game. (We need) those big plays to spark our offence and get off the field. It’s hard to drive eight, nine, 10 plays and go down and score against any team in the CFL.”

In order to get some of those big plays off, the group will need to find a way to keep the pressure off of Fajardo against a stout Winnipeg defence. The Bombers are only giving up 13.4 points a game so far this season.

Part of that success has been from the Bombers’ pass rush, which features Jackson Jeffcoat at one defensive end with 2019 CFL most outstanding defensive player Willie Jefferson at the other.

“They have their own skill set and they have their own thing that they like to go to — things that they know that they are good at,” Riders tackle Cam Jefferson said. “They’re very advantageous and make sure if the lineman gives them an opportunity, they’re going to take advantage of it.”

The Riders will be shorthanded on offence this week, with slotback Jordan Williams-Lambert missing the game due to a wrist injury. Kian Schaffer-Baker will start in his place at the wide receiver position with Justin McInnis getting called up from the practice roster.

But the Riders will have even more holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive end A.C. Leonard will not play in the game after choosing to not provide a sample for CFL drug testing following the Labour Day Classic. He has been suspended two games by the CFL.

“It was a decision he made. He told me straight up he has trouble after a game (submitting a sample). He waited around and got impatient,” head coach Craig Dickenson said.

“(He) probably should have waited around a little longer and just done it, but he didn’t and he made a decision to not submit the sample. It’s a lesson learned. He knew (the suspension) was coming and we told him it was coming so we’re not surprised.”

Pete Robertson will start in Leonard’s place.

The Riders will also be without defensive backs Ed Gainey (foot) and Loucheiz Purifoy (neck) in the rematch with Winnipeg.

Nick Marshall will move from cornerback to halfback, and Christian Campbell will start at corner.

AJ Hendy, who has been the team’s strong-side linebacker through the first four games, will move to the other halfback spot and Canadian Godfrey Onyeka will start at the SAM spot.

The defensive backfield will have a tough challenge with Zach Collaros slinging the ball for the Bombers. The Winnipeg pivot has thrown for seven touchdowns and 1,201 yards – good for second in the league in both categories.

“Zach played here and he knows our system, he understands our system pretty well,” safety Mike Edem said. “He’s a great quarterback. He looks like his old Hamilton self.”

But while a large challenge awaits the Riders with over 33,000 fans expected for the game, Fajardo says the team is excited to get on the road for the first time in 2021.

“Going on the road and taking a charter flight and sleeping in a hotel, there’s a bit more energy and a refresh button you hit when you have an away trip,” Fajardo said. “When you go into a hostile environment, you get too see what kind of team you have. Everyone’s got to rally together and you’ve got to find ways to overcome adversity because you don’t have the crowd on your side.”