Riders kicker Brett Lauther ruled out, Campbell Fair to make debut against Redblacks

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have a different kicker on the field this week.

Veteran kicker Brett Lauther has been ruled out of the game with a back injury. Lauther has dealt with struggles this season, only hitting 68.9 per cent of his field goal attempts.

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In his place, Campbell Fair will make his CFL debut. The 25-year-old has bounced around a few CFL practice rosters and training camps since he was selected by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2023 CFL Draft.

Fair signed with the Riders this past August. He also spent time on the Riders’ practice roster in 2023.

The Oakville, Ont., product played his U Sports football with the Ottawa Gee-Gees, so his debut will come as a bit of a homecoming as the Riders take on the Redblacks in Ottawa. Kickoff for the game is set for 5:30 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3:30 p.m.

“Talking to him, I think he said he had the same kicking coach as (Redblacks kicker) Lewis Ward and there’s a lot of cool things that go into that,” Riders head coach Corey Mace said. “We’re going to look to make the decision that’s best for the roster.”

Also ruled out this week are quarterback Tommy Stevens (knee) and defensive back Tevaughn Campbell (head), while defensive back Marcus Sayles (knee) will play.

This comes as the Riders try to improve their mood for the first time in a few weeks.

Players admitted they were feeling angry after the CFL team’s 48-31 loss to the Montreal Alouettes before their bye week. Those same feelings remain as the team lost 27-25 to the Edmonton Elks last week to fall to 10-4.

“Same feeling. We just have to figure it out. We have been working to do that. No stones left unturned,” said Riders defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. following the team’s closed practice session on Wednesday. “Just trying to figure out how we start fast, how we finish games and put people away. We have to figure it out.”

Once again, it was familiar issues that plagued the Riders most of this season that contributed to the loss. The team once again had a slow start, mustering only three points to Edmonton’s 11 in the first half.

“It gets old. Just trying to do everything we can to change that,” Milligan said.

For veteran offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick, the team just needs to work harder and smarter.

“I don’t think there’s any secret recipe or anything,” Hardrick said. “Credit to both teams who beat us, the biggest thing we are trying to do is get back in the win column this week and it’s on us vets to turn this thing around — have to look in a mirror.”

It’s the first time all season the Riders have lost back-to-back games.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a slump, but we have lost two in a row, but the confidence is high, guys are still working hard. It just didn’t fall in our favour,” Hardrick said. “That’s the only thing we’re worried about this week — just getting a win.”