Mitchell Blair
For Riderville.com
Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Chris McKenzie won’t even let you get the question out before he corrects you.
“They haven’t won the Grey Cup this year have they?” McKenzie responded when asked if Saturday’s game against the B.C Lions is a game against the Grey Cup champions. “Don’t get me wrong, they are a good team, but they aren’t the champions this year…that was last year. It’s a different story now.”
Some of McKenzie’s teammates agree with that philosophy while other players on the team are acknowledging that the team is getting ready to face the best team in the CFL when the two kick it off at Mosaic Stadium in a battle of 2-0 teams at 1 o’clock. Whatever way you want to put it, it will be a good measuring stick for the green and white to see just what type of football team they are after beating Hamilton and Edmonton to start the season. That being said, head coach Corey Chamblin believes every week is a measuring stick for his team no matter who lines up on the other side.
“The measuring stick is when we go back and look at the film to see how well we are progressing,” Chamblin said. “At the end of the day we look to go 1-0 every week so it doesn’t matter who the opponent is. It just happens that this week is a game against the team that won it all last year so at any given time any opponent can be as tough as the last one.”
The team has been through a series of intense practices this week as they get ready for the Lions. Quarterback Darian Durant says it has been an intense week, but he also knows why that’s the case.
“It’s been a great week for us,” Durant said. “Coach Chamblin understands the significance of this game and not only that, but playing against this team. We have a lot of young guys in that dressing room and they really don’t know what they are up against in playing these guys so he is trying to get that point across. He has gotten into our faces, he has let us know that they are going to get in our face and talk some trash. He has definitely gotten us ready for this one and I can’t wait to get out there. It’s a great opportunity for us. We are playing the defending Grey Cup champs in our house for first place so it’s a significant game, but win or lose we have to realize that this is only Game 3 and that there are 15 weeks to go.”
Durant will be challenged by a B.C secondary that features the likes of Ryan Phillips, Byron Parker, Korey Banks and Dante Marsh. They are arguably the best group of pass-defenders in the league, but Durant feels they can be exposed if his offensive line can do the job.
“They are a great bunch, but what helps them out a lot is their pass rush and those guys up front.” Durant said. “When you have a great defensive line, it helps your db’s out a lot because they aren’t left out on an island. We have to control them up front if we are going to exploit what they do on the back end.”
The winner of the game will not only be in first place in the West at 3-0, but they will be the lone unbeaten left in the CFL as the other six teams in the league all went into Week 3 with a loss. Pre-game coverage on 620 CKRM will start at 10:30 with ‘The Touchdown Club” followed by the play-by-play with Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri. TSN will have the television coverage. Fans in the US can catch game via a live webstream at ESPN3.com
GAME NOTES
• Through the first nine games of the CFL season, the home team is 8-1
• After two weeks, the Riders lead the CFL in many categories including fewest penalties with 15 and a turnover ratio of +6. They have not turned over the ball in their two victories to open the season
• It’s a long ways to go until the record, but Saskatchewan receiver Weston Dressler goes into this game having caught at least one pass in his last 29 games.
• Riders running back Kory Sheets leads the CFL in rushes over 10 yards (8) and is tied for first when it comes runs for first downs with B.C’s Andrew Harris (9)
