Riders look for second straight win in showdown with Redblacks

The CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping some extra rest this week will come in handy Friday against the Ottawa Redblacks.

The Riders were given an extra day off from on-field activities and a few key players — kicker Brett Lauther, slotback Duke Williams, defensive back Nick Marshall and offensive tackle Terran Vaughn — missed at least one practice during the week as the team prepared to host the East Division team.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium. The Green Zone pre-game show starts at 5 p.m.

But while the injury list is growing for the Riders, head coach Craig Dickenson doesn’t feel like they are any different from other teams.

“We started looking at the injury lists — (general manager Jeremy O’Day) and I — and we’re not the only ones in this ship. It’s a very violent and physical game and every team has their share. Some have a little more than others and I think we would be in that category,” Dickenson said.

There was some good news for the Riders when it came to the injury front, with Lauther, Williams, and Marshall all set to play in the game.

But Vaughn (shoulder) will not play, with Andrew Lauderdale taking his spot. Lauderdale appeared in 11 regular-season games and both playoff games for the Riders last year.

“It’s definitely exciting — bring Laudy back into the ‘pahty.’ It’s going to be a fun time, especially playing next to (guard Logan) Ferland again,” Lauderdale said.

“(Last year’s) experience definitely helps. I’m not as nervous as last year. I was not expecting (last year).”

Lauderdale will try to step into an offensive line that has allowed 14 sacks over the past three games, but only two last week.

The group has also paved the way for Riders running back Jamal Morrow, who led the league with 257 yards coming into Week 5.

While Morrow leads the way, it’s been done mostly in two games — 126 yards against the Edmonton Elks on June 18 and then 103 yards last Saturday against the Montreal Alouettes. He has just 14 yards in both of his other games.

Morrow was named a CFL top performer for June.

The game will be the Riders’ first against their former running back, William Powell. He played the 2019 and 2021 seasons with Saskatchewan, recording 1,826 yards and 15 touchdowns.

He also played a major role in the development of Morrow, who learned from Powell during his first two seasons in the CFL.

“I wouldn’t be here without him at all so I’m definitely excited to go against him. I have nothing but love for him so I appreciate everything he’s done for me,” Morrow said.

The Redblacks will be without a few key tacklers with Patrick Levels, Money Hunter and Frankie Griffin all missing the game. Only linebacker Avery Williams has more tackles than any of those three on the team.

Ottawa will also be without left tackle Ucambre Williams, with Randy Richards drawing the task of trying to stop Pete Robertson — the CFL sacks leader with seven in four games. Robertson was named a top performer for June.

Robertson credits his teammates for the torrid start he’s had to the season.

“As you can see, when we are all hot and rolling, we’re getting turnovers, sacks, and guys making great plays tackling,” Robertson said. “I think the true help for me has been playing with those other guys on defence.”

When it comes to turnovers, defensive back Nick Marshall has made opposing offences pay dearly when throwing the ball his way. He has 13 career interceptions and has taken five back for touchdowns — a franchise record.

“It’s great to have that record and keep moving forward with it,” Marshall said. “I feel like it’s the offensive instincts I have by me playing offence. I have a feel for the end zone once I have the ball in my hands.”

Marshall was the starting quarterback for the Auburn University Tigers in the 2013-14 seasons, passing for 4,508 yards and 34 touchdowns, with 1,866 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.

“(Playing quarterback) helped me a lot because … I already know the route concepts so it slows the game down for me,” Marshall said.

Redblacks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli hasn’t thrown an interception in 72 pass attempts this season. Masoli has thrown for 873 yards, one touchdown and one interception in 2022.

“He gets the ball out of his hands pretty quick but when you put pressure in his face, he’s not a great quarterback. If you don’t get pressure in his face, he can make all the throws,” Marshall said.

While the Riders are coming into this game with a 3-1 record and Ottawa at 0-3, Dickenson said they aren’t underestimating the Redblacks, saying they’ll come with the same energy the Als came with when they beat the Riders 37-13 on June 23.

That Montreal win over the Riders was the East Division’s only win over a West Division team this season; the East has lost the other 11 matchups.

“I think this is a team that’s had eight days — similar to Montreal, that had nine — they haven’t won a game yet, they are hungry and they know they have a good football team,” Dickenson said. “We challenged our guys this week to come out and start fast, stay the course and hopefully finish strong. I think it’s going to be a tough game.”