Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look back at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list ...
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will try to throw a counterpunch against the Edmonton Elks in the season series.
Saskatchewan lost 36-34 in the first meeting between the two teams last week. Edmonton can clinch the season series with another win today.
“It was tough (losing that last game). The last time I remember feeling that way was 2024 against Winnipeg when we lost the Labour Day Classic here at home,” quarterback Trevor Harris said.
“You have a pit in your stomach because there’s always one or two plays you look back on. I had a nightmare and woke up about a throw I missed in the game. It’s not going to happen again. No more nightmares.”
While today’s game could be a big one when the final standings are decided, Harris isn’t focusing on those aspects.
“I just want to have a good meeting and have a good day (of practice). That’s where my mindset is. I treat every game the same. Whatever the magnitude is, I’ve never let a moment be too big or too little,” Harris said.
History is on the side of the Riders when it comes to back-to-backs with the Elks. Edmonton has only ever swept Saskatchewan in both games twice — the last coming in 1957. Kickoff for Saturday’s game at Commonwealth Stadium is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.
Last week, the Riders allowed 510 passing yards to Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo. Fajardo became just the fourth player in CFL history to record 500 or more passing yards, four or more touchdown passes, and no interceptions in the same game, joining Danny Barrett, Jason Maas, and Tobin Rote as the only quarterbacks to accomplish that feat.
“It looks bad when you look at the stats, and he threw for over 500 yards and things like that. For a majority of the game, I felt like we played well. We just had a couple busts and that’s just not like us, and we have to get those things cleaned up,” defensive back Marcus Sayles said.
“In our defence, we all have to pretty much see the same thing. When one person doesn’t see the same thing, that messes up the whole defence so that’s one of the little things we have to clean up.”
Saskatchewan did do a good job of stopping dynamic rusher Justin Rankin in the first meeting between the two. Rankin was held to 39 rushing yards.
“I’m sure they are going with a new (wrinkle) because he’s a great player and they want to get him going. He has lofty goals,” defensive tackle Mike Rose said.
Edmonton’s defence has forced a CFL-best 22 takeaways this season. Saskatchewan has forced only nine turnovers this season.
Riders’ defensive backs have yet to get an interception, with linebacker Josh Woods as the only player on the team to record a pick, with two of them.
“If I could tell you when an interception was going to come from the backend guys, I might need to go to the casino. I’d bet a loonie or toonie on Josh Woods getting another one,” Riders defensive co-ordinator Josh Bell said with a laugh.
“We’re excited because we know who we are. Not having interceptions on the board is something we haven’t seen for a six-game stretch ever. Every year is a new journey so excited to see it and when it comes, they will come. Sayles had one in his hands on one. It was in the clutch and excited and encouraged about that. They will be coming soon.”
On defence, the Riders will see the debut of linebacker Ryder Varga and defensive end Derick Roberson. Varga is a CFL veteran who has spent time with the B.C. Lions and the Toronto Argonauts.
It will be the first time the Regina product will get a chance to play for his hometown team.
“It means everything. I haven’t played since September of last year. It feels like forever ago that I got hurt. To do it for the hometown team is really exciting,” Varga said.
Roberson is a pro football veteran, spending time with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and UFL’s D.C. Defenders. He was an All-UFL defensive end last season.
Saskatchewan will be without defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. He left practice early this week and was put onto the six-game injured list with a knee injury.
On offence, the Riders will look to continue the success they have had through the air. The trio of KeeSean Johnson, Kian Schaffer-Baker and Samuel Emilus account for 1,671 of Saskatchewan’s 2,015 passing yards. That’s 83.4 per cent of the club’s total passing game in 2026.
The Riders’ offence will need to find a way to win without running back A.J. Ouellette, as the rusher was also put onto the six-game injured list. Saskatchewan’s offensive line will also see a change with Daniel Johnson coming in for the injured Zack Fry.
