June 21, 2017

Riders are set to Open the regular season

 Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-0-0) at Montreal Alouettes (0-0-0)
Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Percival Molson Stadium
TSN, CKRM

THE FORECAST: Environment Canada is calling for a high of 25 C during the day in Montreal, but there’s a 30-per-cent chance of showers in the evening with a low of 18 C.

THE LOWDOWN: The Roughriders and Alouettes each are playing their first game of the 2017 CFL regular season. Saskatchewan went 0-1-1 in the pre-season, tying the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers 25-25 on June 10 and losing 42-10 to the host B.C. Lions on Friday. Montreal went 1-1-0, falling 24-20 to the hometown Toronto Argonauts on June 8 and thumping the Ottawa Redblacks 38-5 on June 15 … The Roughriders are working on a short week. After playing Friday, they had just two light practices in Regina before Wednesday’s walkthrough in Montreal.

THE RIDERS’ ROSTER: Kevin Glenn will start at quarterback for the Roughriders. The 38-year-old pivot played just three series in the pre-season, all against the Lions. After a slow start, Glenn completed five of seven pass attempts for 81 yards and led the Roughriders to a first-quarter field goal that gave them a 3-1 lead … Glenn’s backups will be Brandon Bridge and Marquise Williams. All six of Williams’ passes against B.C. were caught — five by Roughriders receivers (for 77 yards) and one by the Lions … Cameron Marshall will make his first start as Saskatchewan’s tailback. The former Bomber has the power to run between the tackles and the speed to bounce it outside … Guard Brendon LaBatte, who missed the exhibition game in B.C. with an ankle injury, is back in the Roughriders’ lineup for the season-opener. His return sends Peter Dyakowski to right guard … Also back is receiver Caleb Holley, who sat out the contest against the Lions with a shoulder injury … Saskatchewan’s linebacking corps will start one veteran (Henoc Muamba, in the middle) and two CFL rookies (Erick Dargan on the weak side and Sam Williams on the strong side) … The Roughriders’ secondary was a primary concern throughout training camp, as the coaches rotated players through the positions to find the right combination. The Roughriders are set on the boundary side with cornerback Kacy Rodgers II and halfback Ed Gainey and at safety with the tandem of Jeff Hecht and Mike Edem, but the field side was up in the air — until Monday. That’s when the Roughriders signed veteran Jovon Johnson, who’ll come off the practice roster to handle the cornerback spot. Rookie Chris Lyles is to start at halfback … Chad Owens remains sidelined with a foot injury, so the Roughriders will use Ricky Collins Jr., as their primary returner.

Full Game Day Roster
Game Notes