Murray Wood: Riders' revenge, Putin optics, storm beauty
In this Friday "Who's Hot and Who's Not," Murray Wood looks at the Riders' shot at payback in Calgary, Trudeau...
When the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders meet on Saturday, physical might be an understatement for the CFL contest.
The two rivals are locking horns for a second time this season, with the 8-1 Roughriders looking to make amends for the only blemish on their record so far.
Read more:
- Find the latest Saskatchewan Roughriders news here
- The Blitz podcast with Jamie Nye and Britton Gray
Calgary beat the Riders 24-10 at Mosaic Stadium back when the two teams met in July.
Head coach Corey Mace knows this will be a battle between the two clubs.
“I think it’s just the mental makeup of both teams. Certainly, they have played a physical brand of football all year and we have for a majority, except (for the game against them),” Mace said.
“I thought they got us in that department. It was a little bit of a kick in the teeth for us and we definitely needed it and I think we have been good ever since. You’re probably accurate to say it’s going to be physical.”
Saskatchewan also has a chance to do something it has never done in its history. A Riders team has never started a season 9-1 before, with the only other time the Riders were 8-1 coming back in 2013.
While it would be quite the accomplishment, defensive tackle Micah Johnson hasn’t been paying attention to that milestone.
“It’s awesome but for us, 9-1 doesn’t win you the Grey Cup so a lot more work to do from that aspect,” Johnson said.
“I mean, 9-1 is awesome and a testament to how hard our guys have been working but our ultimate goal is that (Grey Cup).”
The Riders have been one of the more physical teams in the CFL all season. The offensive line has only surrendered 11 sacks this season — the second-fewest amount in the league heading into Week 12.
Offensive guard Zack Fry believes the Riders have gotten back to playing bully ball.
“We didn’t feel like we kept that standard in the last time we played Calgary, so we are trying to bring that out this week,” Fry said. “I think bully ball is huge for this team.”
The offensive line will have the same lineup along the group for a third game in a row. For a group that has dealt with a bunch of injuries this season and in previous ones as well, it’s a rare bit of continuity for the group.
“It’s nice to play beside the same guys because you build that trust and see how everyone plays differently and so it’s nice to get that continuity throughout the group,” Fry said. “Whenever someone had to step in, everyone was doing their job great.”
Quarterback Trevor Harris is enjoying one of his best seasons in the CFL so far.
The 39-year-old has thrown for 2,490 yards, 16 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He is considered one of the current front-runners for the CFL Most Outstanding Player award.
Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris is among the leading Most Outstanding Player candidates so far in 2025. (Saskatchewan Roughriders/Submitted)
Harris did have 425 yards against a stingy Calgary defence in the first meeting, but only one touchdown.
“They are very good at what they do. They understand what they are trying to do and how to attack people and they read routes very well,” Harris said.
“They have all the makings of (a great defence), but it is a great challenge for us and we look forward to bringing the fight to them.”
The showdown will also feature two of the best running backs in the CFL. Riders running back AJ Ouellette is third inrushing with 648 yards. Only 12 yards ahead of him in second is Calgary rusher Dedrick Mills.
The Riders will also need to contend with Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who is also in consideration for the league’s Most Outstanding Player award. When Adams Jr. plays a game from start to finish this season, Calgary is 6-1. He has thrown for 2,213 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
With a big crowd expected at McMahon Stadium, Harris said those are the games you live for.
“You’re not eight years old in your backyard (imagining) there are 17 people in the stands — it’s a sellout crowd and the crowd is going crazy,” Harris said.
“That’s what we are looking forward to but we know there’s going to be a sea of green out there as well.”
Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.
Read more:
