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The Saskatchewan Roughriders are heading into the Lion’s den to try and get back into the win column.
Saskatchewan will take on the B.C. Lions at B.C. Place on Saturday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.
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Saskatchewan is coming off of its first loss of the season – a 24-10 decision against the Calgary Stampeders in last week’s game, which did have to be rescheduled due to smoke.
“Winning is important but what’s more important is who we are becoming in the process because towards the end of the year, we are going to be a different team,” quarterback Trevor Harris said.
“We’re going to see Calgary again and we are excited about that. We are excited to see them again … and we will deal with that then. We have a big test this week at B.C., and it’s a great environment and we know we are going to need to up our tempo and our game to win this when they are on a great streak and playing well.”
The Riders (4-1) fell in the CFL West Divison to second place after the Stamps (4-1) knocked them off.
Meanwhile, with Nathan Rourke back after missing two games, the Lions (3-3) have now won two in a row and are back in the race.
Rourke, who has thrown for 1,270 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions, has been causing damage on the ground as well with 163 rushing yards — the most by a quarterback this season.
“It’s not a secret anymore, I think everyone understands what kind of athlete he is and certainly he can entice you to go trigger and then it opens up the pass he wants to do.
“He is incredibly talented outside of the pocket and going to his left or right and still being able to throw either way — not a lot of quarterbacks can do that and then, ultimately, if things break down and he doesn’t like what he sees, he can take off,” said Riders head coach Corey Mace.
“We have to be on our A-game because if we’re not, we’ve seen what that can look like.”
Just last week, Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 428 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Mace, who is also the team’s defensive co-ordinator, admitted things need to be different this week for the defence.
“A lot of the big plays was either great plays Calgary made or mental busts on our part,” Mace said. “I think the mental focus and toughness, we have to stay on top of that.”
Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Tevaughn Campbell had a pick-six in the last meeting against the Lions. (Saskatchewan Roughriders)
A big part of keeping Rourke off rhythm will be the pass rush. The Riders have 11 sacks this season – tied for fourth-most in the CFL with the Lions. The Lions have only surrendered five sacks this season, while Saskatchewan has given up eight.
This is the second time the two clubs will meet this season, with the Riders earning a 37-18 win in the first meeting.
Harris missed that game with a concussion but returned after the team’s bye week. This season, the 39-year-old has thrown for 1,231 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.
The ever-accurate quarterback has had eight games in a row where he has completed over 70 per cent of his passes. That ties the record that was already held by himself and former Hamilton Tiger-Cats pivot Dane Evans.
One of the things the Riders will try to improve in this game is the rushing defence.
The unit has been good all season, giving up just 80 yards per game, but Lions running back James Butler had 123 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting.
“We just have to do our job. We are all one of 12 but we have to do our job,” said defensive end Lake Korte-Moore.
“Stop the run and get back to our identity of being one of the best run defences in the league and I think we will do a great job.
“He’s a great runner and a great back but we just have to do our job and go out there. The coaches are going to put us in the best position possible and we have to make sure they are right by being who we are.”
AJ Ouellette and the Riders’ rushing attack will look to get things back on track this week. Ouellette only had nine yards on six carries and is now third in the league in rushing behind Calgary’s Dedrick Mills (396) and Butler (474).
A key to getting that back on track will be the offensive line, which took the struggles in the run-game last week personally.
“We have no stats (as offensive linemen). We take great pride in that and obviously we need to get a lot better,” said centre Logan Ferland.
Ferland normally plays guard but had to move to centre this season after an injury to new Riders signing Sean McEwen. Ferland is preparing to deal with the loud B.C. crowd noise inside the stadium.
“It could be a lot of noise. You want to prepare with a possible silent count and how we usually do. Working on it previously even when we don’t need it just helps keep that ball rolling,” Ferland said.
The Riders are expected to be without kick returner Mario Alford (hip). In his place, rookie Drae McCray is expected to get his first CFL start.
So with a showdown looming, Mace knows it’s an important one for the Riders to win.
“I think it’s going to be a big match-up for both teams. (I think everyone knew) the West was going to be tight and it certainly is. These are all big games every single week. We expect their absolute best and we expect to give them ours,” Mace said.
Injury report
The Riders will be without kick returner Mario Alford (hip). In his place, rookie Drae McCray will get his first CFL start.
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