Saskatchewan Roughriders (1-2-0)
at Calgary Stampeders (2-1-1)
Saturday, 7 p.m., McMahon Stadium
TSN, CKRM
THE FORECAST: Environment Canada is calling for a mainly sunny day with a high of 26 C. The evening is supposed to be clear with a low of 14 C.
THE LOWDOWN: The Roughriders and Stampeders meet for the first time this season. Saskatchewan had a bye last week after posting its first victory of the 2017 season, a 37-20 decision over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats on July 8. Calgary is coming off a 30-23 loss to the host Montreal Alouettes on July 14 … The Roughriders have lost eight straight games to Calgary in the regular season. Saskatchewan’s last regular-season victory over the Stampeders occurred July 5, 2013, when the Roughriders downed the visiting Stamps 36-21.
THE RIDERS’ ROSTER: Quarterback Kevin Glenn will start for the Roughriders — and he needs just 116 yards to become the seventh QB in CFL history to pass for 50,000 yards. Glenn has been solid through the Roughriders’ first three regular-season games, completing 99 of 136 pass attempts (72.8 per cent) for 1,055 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has rushed 10 times for 30 yards and two TDs — the most majors he has had in a season since he had two in 2009 … Cameron Marshall has done exactly what the Roughriders wanted out of a tailback. He’s averaging 5.5 yards per carry (30 carries for 166 yards), has caught the ball well out of the backfield (12 catches for 73 yards, with 70 yards after the catch) and has been excellent in picking up blitzes … Tailback Kienan LaFrance, who was signed as a free agent in February, is on the roster for the first time this season. LaFrance, who was hampered by a hamstring injury suffered in training camp, joins Greg Morris as a backup to Marshall … By this time last year, Saskatchewan’s offensive line was in shambles after the loss of guard Brendon LaBatte. So far this season, LaBatte and his linemates have remained relatively healthy and it has showed. The starting five remains intact this week … Receiver Naaman Roosevelt is coming off his best game of the 2017 season, a 10-catch, 167-yard eruption against Hamilton. Roosevelt went into Week 5 as the CFL leader in second-down receptions that produced a first down (12) … Caleb Holley, who was put on the Roughriders’ six-game injured list before the Hamilton game, remains out. Antwane Grant, who had two catches for nine yards against the Tiger-Cats, gets his second straight start in Holley’s place … Defensive end Willie Jefferson was a force against the Tiger-Cats, registering three quarterback pressures and a sack. Jefferson enters Saturday’s game having made a team-high 19 defensive plays (nine QB pressures, seven tackles, two sacks and a knockdown) … Rookie linebacker Sam Williams continues to impress. The strong-side ’backer goes into the game with a team-leading 13 defensive tackles … Cornerback Jovon Johnson has solidified the Roughriders’ secondary since signing just before the regular season. The 11-year vet has a team-best four pass knockdowns and is tied with Ed Gainey and Kacy Rodgers II for the team lead among DBs with nine defensive tackles.
For the full game day roster click here
