Riders look to build momentum, halt Bombers’ surge in Labour Day Classic

Momentum is something teams are always trying to capture throughout a season.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders were able to put an end to a two-game skid last week with a 28-24 victory over the Toronto Argonauts.

Defensive back Marcus Sayles believes that momentum does carry over from game to game.

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“We had a really good win last week. You could see how tight-knit the group is to be able to come out with a win like that,” Sayles said.

But for this year’s Labour Day Classic, the Riders will be looking to stop the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ momentum in its tracks. While the Bombers come into the game with a 6-5 record, they have played inconsistently throughout the CFL season.

Last week, the Bombers put together their best performance of the season in a 44-28 win over the Montreal Alouettes as they look to get their season on track.

“They are coming out with a big win as well over Montreal, so it’s going to be a hectic game. I know both coaches and teams are going to have great game plans coming in,” Sayles said. “We feel like we will be locked in like we are every single week.”

The veteran defensive back knows that just because a team has some losses early in the season, it doesn’t mean you can count a team out.

“Teams can make a turnaround real quick. Maybe that was the game that got them over the hump,” Sayles said. “Granted, they have to play us two more times back-to-back, so we’re going to be ready just as well.”

Halfback DaMarcus Fields took notice of the way the Bombers played last week.

“They played them real well, but we know those guys to be a real good football team,” Fields said. “We always know they are going to bring their best as well.

“It’s always fun. This is one of the most fun games around the province for sure. It gets everybody amped around here and the fans as well,” Fields said.

This will be the third season Fields has played in the Labour Day Classic, as he has appeared in every game since he signed with the team in 2024. He remembers his first Labour Day Classic lived up to expectations.

“The fans came out, went crazy and I just always know it’s going to be an exciting game,” Fields said.

The Riders will be without linebackers Josh Woods (ankle) and Nick Wiebe (knee) in the game. Both were ruled out in Friday’s injury report, as was fullback Albert Awachie (ankle).

Both linebacker Antoine Brooks Jr. (wrist) and running back A.J. Ouellette (knee) are listed as questionable. Ouellette has been out since he suffered the injury in Week 8 against the Edmonton Elks.

Kickoff for Sunday’s game is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.