Receiver Quincy Jackson is just one of several new Roughriders who will suit up on Friday for their first regular season game with the Green and White. Photo by Kevin Clive By KEVIN CLIVE Riderville.com editor They may be new to Regina, but there’s little doubt Quincy Jackson and Ray Jacobs understand what it means to be a Roughrider. And they definitely know how much a win Friday in Ottawa will mean to all Saskatchewan fans. “It’s important to come out the gates with a W,” says Jacobs, who signed with the Green and White this off-season after several productive years in Calgary as a Stampeder. “This team has a lot of talent. I know the proof is in the pudding – that you have to go out and prove it, but I like what I am working with here.” So too does Jackson. “It’s a great atmosphere and the guys believe in each other, which is key for us becoming a good football team,” says Jackson, who along with Nealon Greene, toiled for the Edmonton Eskimos last season. Heading into their first regular season game with the ‘S’ logo emblazoned on their helmets, both players are primed to show Saskatchewan fans what they can do on the field. “They saw a glimpse in the pre-season,” says Jackson, who will no doubt be one of Greene’s favourite receivers just as he was during the second exhibition game against the Esks. As for Jacobs, the speedy pass rusher is confident his abilities and those of the players around him will shine through on Friday. “The guys that are around me have a tremendous work ethic,” he says. “They want to get better and we all get along. Having good team camaraderie helps a lot on the field.” The fact that Ottawa asked for the Riders isn’t lost on Jacobs, who even for a new player to Saskatchewan, understands that when a Roughrider is challenged, it rarely backs down. “Nothing short of a victory,” says Jacobs. “We have been working our butt off for the last three weeks and it’s all in our court. We need to set a precedent and build some momentum and head off into the season.” Not saying the Riders are looking ahead, but Jacobs and Jackson both agree there is no reason why the Green and White can’t knock off the expansion Renegades. “We’ve got a quarterback, we have a good offense and a great defense, so we should come home with a win,” says Jacobs. The Riders depart for Ottawa tomorrow morning and will practice at Frank Clair Stadium once they arrive in the capital. Listen to the game LIVE on Riderville streaming audio as play-by-play man Rod Pedersen and colour commentator Carm Carteri bring the action home.

Nealon Greene autographs footballs for dozens of children from Connaught School, where the Catch For Kids program was launched. Photo by Kevin Clive Saskatchewan Roughrider quarterback Nealon Greene and kicker/punter Paul McCallum were introduced June 25 as the new spokesmen for the SaskEnergy Catch For Kids program. Launched in 1998 by former Rider Don Narcisse, the SaskEnergy sponsored initiative has raised more than $68,000 in four season. Money raised from the program goes directly to KidSport Saskatchewan, which helps underprivileged children participate in sports programming. This season, SaskEnergy will contribute $25 per Rider pass completion, $25 per field goal and $100 per touchdown. "It's great to be involved in something so positive," said Greene. Donations to the program are accepted and can be made by calling 1-800-319-GAME.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club unveiled today its newest website feature, an online auction, with the hopes Rider Priders around the globe will take advantage of the opportunity to bid on unique and exciting items. The online auction will run throughout the 2002 season with items only available during the weeks leading up to home games. “We are extremely proud and excited to be able to offer such a unique feature to our site,” says Trent Fraser, director of marketing and corporate development for the club. “It’s a great way for fans to acquire some one-of-a-kind gifts and/or memorabilia. It also helps the Roughriders’ bottom line and is a new source of revenue for the franchise.” Future items to the site may include prints, autographed footballs and other great Roughrider gear. According to the online rules and regulations, only the highest bidder of each day will be announced on the site (5 p.m. local) and will then be contacted by phone if their bid is the highest at the closing deadline.

1996 SCHEDULE - SASKATCHEWAN VS OTTAWA: 1-1 July 3 - Saskatchewan 29 @ Ottawa 14 September 15 - Ottawa 18 @ Saskatchewan 16 1995 SCHEDULE - SASKATCHEWAN VS OTTAWA: 2-0 August 4 - Saskatchewan 31 @ Ottawa 20 August 23 - Ottawa 16 @ Saskatchewan 25 1994 SCHEDULE - SASKATCHEWAN VS OTTAWA: 2-0 August 26 - Ottawa 19 @ Saskatchewan 35 October 29 - Saskatchewan 46 @ Ottawa 29 1993 SCHEDULE - SASKATCHEWAN VS OTTAWA: 2-0 August 11 - Ottawa 28 @ Saskatchewan 45 August 19 - Saskatchewan 27 @ Ottawa 26 1992 SCHEDULE - SASKATCHEWAN VS OTTAWA: 1-1 July 24 - Ottawa 13 @ Saskatchewan 23 August 20 - Saskatchewan 9 @ Ottawa 20 1991 SCHEDULE - SASKATCHEWAN VS OTTAWA: 1-1 October 6 - Saskatchewan 25 @ Ottawa 42 October 20 - Ottawa 28 @ Saskatchewan 41 1990 SCHEDULE - SASKATCHEWAN VS OTTAWA: 0-2 June 29 - Ottawa 26 @ Saskatchewan 23 September 9 - Saskatchewan 21 @ Ottawa 30

Total Regular Season Games Played (since 1961): 53 Saskatchewan vs Ottawa 33 wins - 20 losses - 0 ties Playoff Games (since 1961): 3 Saskatchewan vs Ottawa 1 win - 2 losses MATCH-UP: Last 10 games: 8-2 Last 5 games: 4-1 Last 5 Home games: 4-1 Last 5 Away games: 4-1 Largest Margin of Victory 36 points - Saskatchewan 58 vs Ottawa 22 - August 9, 1989 35 points - Ottawa 53 vs Saskatchewan 18 - September 24, 1978 Lowest Scoring Game 21 points - Saskatchewan 4 vs Ottawa 17 - August 15, 1985 Highest Scoring Game 80 points - Saskatchewan 58 vs Ottawa 22 - August 7, 1989 Last Shutout - None 1 point - Saskatchewan 24 vs Ottawa 1 - August 11, 1970 3 points - Ottawa 27 vs Saskatchewan 3 - October 6, 1964 Last Saskatchewan Home Victory: (1 game losing streak) 1995 August 23 - Ottawa 16 @ Saskatchewan 25 Last Saskatchewan Away Victory: (4 game winning streak) 1996 July 3 - Saskatchewan 29 @ Ottawa 14 First Meeting: August 28, 1961 - Ottawa 29 - Saskatchewan 10

Saskatchewan vs Ottawa since August 28, 1961. In that historical first meeting, Ottawa defeated Saskatchewan 29-10. Today’s meeting marks the 62nd time Saskatchewan and Ottawa have battled on the gridiron. Saskatchewan’s overall record against Ottawa is 33-20-0. In the 1990’s Saskatchewan and Ottawa met 14 times. The Green Riders won nine of those games. Saskatchewan has won eight of the last ten meetings. At Taylor Field the Riders are four and one in their last five meetings. When visiting Frank Clair Stadium the Green Riders are also four and one in their last five games. Between 1992 and 1996 the Green Riders won seven games in a row. The West Riders swept the East Riders in 1993, 94 and in 1995. The two teams have met three times in the Grey Cup with Ottawa winning two of the three. Saskatchewan beat Ottawa 29-14 in the 1966 Grey Cup.

Saskatchewan vs Ottawa since August 28, 1961. In that historical first meeting, Ottawa defeated Saskatchewan 29-10. Today’s meeting marks the 62nd time Saskatchewan and Ottawa have battled on the gridiron. Saskatchewan’s overall record against Ottawa is 33-20-0. In the 1990’s Saskatchewan and Ottawa met 14 times. The Green Riders won nine of those games. Saskatchewan has won eight of the last ten meetings. At Taylor Field the Riders are four and one in their last five meetings. When visiting Frank Clair Stadium the Green Riders are also four and one in their last five games. Between 1992 and 1996 the Green Riders won seven games in a row. The West Riders swept the East Riders in 1993, 94 and in 1995. The two teams have met three times in the Grey Cup with Ottawa winning two of the three. Saskatchewan beat Ottawa 29-14 in the 1966 Grey Cup.

REGULAR SEASON GAME #1 SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS @ OTTAWA RENEGADES FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2002 FRANK CLAIR STADIUM, OTTAWA, ON Game Time: 5:00 pm CENTRAL Radio Coverage: 620 CKRM in Regina: Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri CJWW in Saskatoon; GX94 in Yorkton The Team 1200: Dave Schreiber and Jeff Avery CJRC: Michel Langevin TV Coverage: TSN: John Wells and Glen Suitor Internet Coverage: www.riderville.com Media Notes by: Ryan Whippler-Communications Coordinator “The quality and quantity of energy you put forth directly impacts the results you receive” Cherie Carter-Scott IT ALL STARTS NOW! ROUGHRIDER SHORT YARDAGE: PRE-SEASON: The Roughriders finished the 2002 pre-season with a split record of one win and one loss. The Green and White dropped a 22-6 decision to the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg on June 8th. But, the Riders bounced back with a strong effort in front of their home fans a week later and downed the Edmonton Eskimos 27-24. Nealon Greene looked very strong in a Rider uniform completing 12 of 17 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown against Edmonton. The Riders spent training camp in Saskatoon for the 17th time in the last 21 years…the 2002 Roughrider training camp sponsors were CHEERIOS, GENERAL MILLS, SASKTEL, EXTRA FOODS, STRONGCO, and GENERAL MOTORS. LET THE GAMES BEGIN! OPENING DAY: This is only the second time that the Roughriders have opened their regular season in Ottawa. The Western Riders beat the Eastern Riders 48-21 in 1988. Ottawa and Saskatchewan also started a season on Taylor Field turf in 1985. The Green Riders went home victorious on that occasion as well with a 46-22 victory. This is the first ever-regular season game for the newly formed Renegades…overall on opening day since 1950 the Saskatchewan Roughriders are 29-22-1 and 13-11on the road…overall 7-5 against the east and 2-0 against Ottawa on opening day. Saskatchewan and Ottawa have not played since the Rough Riders folded in 1996…the teams spilt their two games in that season…Saskatchewan beat Ottawa 29-14 on July 3rd…Ottawa returned the favour at Taylor Field on September 15 downing Saskatchewan 18-16…the Green and White have waited six years to get their revenge and the time has finally come. COACHING STAFF: Danny Barrett begins his third season as the Roughriders bench boss. His coaching staff stays the same from last season…on defense Richie Hall has been promoted to Assistant Head Coach and defensive coordinator…it is Richie’s ninth season with the Green and White…Alex Smith will look after the linebackers and special teams…Smith is also a key member of the club’s Canadian College Draft evaluation team…Ron Estay, the “ole swamp dog” will look after the defensive line for the second straight season…on the offensive side of the ball the Roughriders will have Marcel Bellefuille looking after the offensive line for the second straight season…former Rider Tim Kearse will handle the receiving corps for another season…Harold Smith returns for his third season as the club’s quarterback and running back coach…and with his vast experience and progressive coaching style Danny Barrett will once again oversee the offence. THE 2001 SEASON IN REVIEW:The Riders started the season on a winning note with a huge come from behind victory over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats 30-28. WEEK two dropped a 13-11 decision to the Edmonton Eskimos. WEEK three had the riders winning their second game in three games knocking off the B.C. Lions in B.C. place 12-7. WEEK four Saskatchewan was dumped 50-24 against Toronto. WEEK five saw the Riders lose to the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg 32-14. WEEK six dropped a 35–4 decision at home to the Calgary Stampeders. WEEK seven saw the Riders head to Calgary for the back end of a home and home where they lost 37-13. WEEK eight saw Saskatchewan snap a four-game-losing-streak knocking off the Toronto Argonauts in Skydome 14-11 in rookie Kevin Glenn’s first start at quarterback. WEEK nine saw over 30,000 pack Taylor Field for the Labour Day Classic. The Roughriders ended up on the losing side of a heartbreaking 20-18 loss. WEEK ten saw the Roughriders drop a 31-3 decision to the Montreal Alouettes. WEEK eleven had the Riders back in Calgary where they were beat 21-14 by the Stampeders. In WEEK twelve the Roughriders returned to Taylor Field for the first of two home games. A last second field goal by Matt Kellett helped the B.C. Lions squeak past the Riders 20-18. WEEK thirteen had the Riders losing another close game to the Edmonton Eskimos 35-19. In WEEK fourteen, the Riders got back on the winning track with a huge 13-7 victory in Montreal against the Alouettes. In WEEK fifteen, the Riders dropped another close game to the Calgary Stampeders 29-26. WEEK sixteen ended the team's playoff chances after a 3—24 loss in Hamilton. WEEK seventeen had the Riders winning their final game on home turf. The Green and White beat the Edmonton Eskimos 12-3. WEEK eighteen saw the Riders finishing the season on a winning note after a 42-10 win over the Lions in B.C.

QB Nealon Greene says he works best when he is comfortable in his surroundings. Photo by Kevin Clive By KEVIN CLIVE Riderville.com editor Quarterback Nealon Greene is as comfortable as he has ever been in the Canadian Football League. Comfortable with his offense, comfortable with his coach, and comfortable with his role on the Saskatchewan Roughriders. But, there is a big difference, he says, in being comfortable and being complacent. Greene is certainly not the type of player to ever mail it in and he is probably more geared up for the Riders’ first game of the year than anyone else. Head coach Danny Barrett says there’s a reason why Greene is the way he is. “He’s a competitor,” says Barrett. “He hates to lose, he loves a challenge and he is ready for this Friday.” The Roughriders battle the Renegades in Ottawa on Friday night in both teams’ regular season opener. The Renegades are led by a former teammate of Greene’s in quarterback Dan Crowley. The two played together in Edmonton. Greene says his comfort level with the Riders came early on in camp and he’s looking forward to connecting with some of Saskatchewan’s talented receivers. “I feel confident with the guys that we have,” says Greene. “I think a lot of the guys are going to make plays and open some people’s eyes.” The Riders have added a number of new plays, systems and schemes in recent days and Greene says he has decent grasp on what Barrett is trying to implement. Each practice enables him to become that much more in sync with the entire offense, he notes. “It’s now just trying to get into a rhythm and working on your timing with the receivers and working on this new stuff,” he says. “We can’t rest, we can’t be complacent. We have guys here that are willing to learn, willing to work hard and are focused on getting the job done.”

O-lineman Jeremy O'Day (54) takes on defensive end Colin Scrivener during a drill at practice. Photo by Kevin Clive By KEVIN CLIVE Riderville.com editor One would think the Saskatchewan Roughriders are only going to go as far as quarterback Nealon Greene can take them. While that assessment is partially true, the fact is, there are five gentlemen in front of Greene who will either make or break the Riders’ 2002 Canadian Football League season. Traditionally, the offensive line plays a major role in the success of any CFL team, especially when the man they are protecting is so vital to the entire offense. “We recognize that our job is to protect the quarterback,” says six-year veteran Jeremy O’Day. “I think the group of guys we have on the o-line are willing to do what it takes to ensure the defense doesn’t get any free shots.” O’Day, who won a Grey Cup with Toronto in 1997, says the Roughriders’ o-line is beginning to gel and come together as a unit. Along with returning veterans Andrew Greene, Gene Makowsky and second-year Rider Andrew Moore, O’Day is confident the hoggies can be force out on the field. “I think this week going into Ottawa will be a good time for us to all get on the same page and gel,” he says, noting the fact offensive line coach Marcel Bellefeuille has had to shuffle the guys around from position to position due to training camp injuries. “They moved me (from centre to tackle) and I have always been able to play either one, so I do whatever is best for the team.”

Danny Barrett is relieved the difficult decisions regarding roster moves are over - for now. Photo by Kevin Clive By KEVIN CLIVE Riderville.com editor When Saskatchewan Roughrider head coach Danny Barrett announced the team’s remaining roster moves at a press conference today, many of the names on the list came as no surprise to the media gathered in Taylor Field’s President’s Lounge. That’s because the names were, for the most part, all new recruits who would be hard pressed to knock a veteran off of the 39-man roster. “They are all tough decisions these days,” said Barrett. “It was a matter of how do we get down to 39 without hurting ourselves at any position. I think we were able to accomplish that today.” Sixteen players were deleted from the team’s roster with 11 given the opportunity to remain on the practice roster and five being put on the injured list. The players on the injured list include: linebacker Armand Boglin; defensive back Davin Bush; quarterback Rocky Butler; running back Corey Crume; and defensive tackle Chris White. The list of players who have the choice of whether they wish to stay in Regina and play on the Riders’ practice roster includes: linebacker Johnny Anderson; o-lineman Francois Boulianne; defensive end Julian Duncan; o-lineman Jocelyn Frenette; defensive back Brian Hinton; linebacker Jerry Phillips; running back Rock Preston; wide receiver Brian Roberson; slotback Patrick Thibeault; wide receiver Carl Thomas; and defensive back Jabir Walker. Barrett said the players who chose to remain on the practice roster would be announced later this week. “There are some who will want to go home and others who believe they could end up playing if someone goes down,” he said. “We pretty much know who will be around.”

The Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club officially announced today the following roster moves. The following players have been deleted from the team’s roster.

Receiver Derick Armstrong (6) stays in bounds after making a catch in front of defender Curtis Nash (10) at practice this week. Photo by Kevin Clive By KEVIN CLIVE Riderville.com editor Sometimes not playing is the best way to make your play better. The Saskatchewan Roughriders do not hit the field for real again until next Friday, when they travel to Ottawa to play the Renegades. They wrapped up a week of practice today and head coach Danny Barrett says not having to play was probably the best thing that could have happened. “This is the best week that we have had in the three years that I have been here,” says Barrett. “We had the nice luxury of being able to put our systems in a little bit at a time each week and then this week, we had the chance to really overload the guys with the stuff that we are going to do against Ottawa.” The bye week also allowed the coaches to implement a conditioning program, where the team would execute some sort of fitness drill at the end of each practice. Whether it was running lines or chasing each other as groups, the opportunity to get some extra conditioning in was put to use, says Barrett. “We got a great week of conditioning out of the guys, which I think is really going to make a difference for us as we start the season off,” he says. The fact that some players’ jobs were on the line this week made for a high tempo as the boys on the bubble made sure they were giving it their all, noted Barrett. Along with general manager Roy Shivers, assistant GM Bob Vespaziani as well as the Rider coaching staff, Barrett will need to come to a conclusion based on the players’ performances in the pre-season and practice field.

Running back Sedrick Shaw. Photo by Kevin Clive By KEVIN CLIVE Riderville.com editor As Saturday’s final cuts draw near, one thing is for certain – Rock Preston won’t be a Saskatchewan Roughrider running back. What’s unclear is which of the remaining backs will emerge as the starter for next Friday’s regular season opener in Ottawa versus the newly-formed Renegades. Will it be Corey Holmes, a player who saw limited action last season with just one carry for three yards? He did however return two kicks for 48 yards and four punts for 42 yards as well. Or, will it be Corey Crume? The five-foot-11, 215-pound product of Eastern Kentucky has looked decent at training camp and could be the coaching staff’s top choice. But the best bet, if you are the betting type, is that former National Football Leaguer Sedrick Shaw will become the Roughriders’ newest mail carrier. The six-foot-one, 220-pound bruiser has progressed well thus far and is able to hit the holes quickly as well as catch the ball out of the backfield. Still, no one is certain who ‘the guy’ is going to be. Head coach Danny Barrett will answer that question in less than 48 hours, when he announces the 39-man roster on Saturday at 1 p.m. “The bottom line is that the two guys that we go with are going to make us a better ball team,” says Barrett. He says the decision to move on without Preston was based solely on the route in which he wants the Rider offense to take this season. “I told Rock, it’s nothing that he did or didn’t do, it’s just the decision we are going with and if I can find him a job someplace else, I will do that. If not, I will have to release him on Saturday,” says Barrett. “We are looking to move Rock by way of trade of some sort. As opposed to waiting until the last minute, I informed him of that today.” Barrett says Shaw, Crume and Holmes are all equally in the running for the tailback position. “They can all play and these (three) guys fit into with what we are doing moreso than Rock,” says Barrett.

Running back Rock Preston did not attend Saskatchewan Roughrider practice today and will not be back with club this season. The team is exploring its options regarding the Florida State product and have not ruled out a trade as of yet. Preston, who signed a contract with the Riders in April 2001, played one season with the team picking up 152 yards on 41 carries. The former Calgary Stampeder totalled two yards on two carries in Saskatchewan's recent pre-season game versus Edmonton.