August 24, 2017

The Roughriders get their first look at the Eskimos

Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-4-0)
at Edmonton Eskimos (7-1-0)
Friday, 7:30 p.m., Commonwealth Stadium
TSN, CKRM

 

THE FORECAST: Environment Canada is calling for a sunny day with a high of 21 C and a west wind at 20 km/h gusting to 40 km/h. The evening is expected to be clear with a low of 10 C.

THE LOWDOWN: The Roughriders and Eskimos are to meet for the first time this season. Saskatchewan won the teams’ previous meeting (a 26-23 victory at home on Sept. 18) but the Eskimos won seven of the eight games the sides played before that … Edmonton has won four straight against the Roughriders at Commonwealth Stadium.

THE RIDERS’ ROSTER: Quarterback Kevin Glenn is to make his first start for Saskatchewan against Edmonton since Oct. 25, 2002. More recently, Glenn passed for 320 yards with three touchdowns in a 41-8 victory over the visiting B.C. Lions on Aug. 13. It was the fourth time in seven games this season that Glenn had passed for at least 300 yards — and all four have been at home. The veteran QB also has thrown 13 of his 14 TD passes this season at Mosaic Stadium … The Roughriders are making a lineup change at quarterback, though. Newly acquired Vernon Adams Jr., has been added to the roster as one of Glenn’s backups, with Marquise Williams going on the one-game injured list … The Roughriders’ offensive line returns intact from the B.C. game, with Brendon LaBatte at centre, Derek Dennis and Peter Dyakowski at the guard spots, and Bruce Campbell and Thaddeus Coleman at the tackle positions … Having three Americans on the O-line means that the Roughriders once again will start two Canucks in the receiving corps. Rob Bagg and Nic Demski join internationals Duron Carter, Bakari Grant and Naaman Roosevelt in the starting five … Cameron Marshall continues to impress as the starting tailback. Marshall has a 5.3-yard average (390 yards on 74 carries), he has 217 yards receiving on 25 catches (including 204 yards after the catch) and his efforts in protecting Glenn have been stellar … Defensive tackle Nick James plays his second game in place of the injured Zach Minter. James was on the field for about 20 plays against the Lions due to his conditioning, but the Roughriders were impressed with his physical play in the middle … Saskatchewan had four sacks and 14 quarterback pressures against B.C., with rookie end Tobi Antigha providing two of the sacks and three of the pressures … Linebacker Sam Eguavoen has been a force for the Roughriders of late. The CFL sophomore has 17 tackles and 19 defensive plays over his past three games … Linebacker Erick Dargan returns to the active roster after missing the game against B.C. He replaces Derrick Moncrief, who has been put on the six-game injured list after getting hurt in practice Tuesday … The pressure the Roughriders’ defensive linemen and linebackers had against the Lions helped set up a breakout game by defensive back Ed Gainey and his mates in the Saskatchewan secondary. The Roughriders had five interceptions — including a franchise-record four by Gainey — as they broke out of a slump in the turnover area. Saskatchewan went into that game with two picks on the season, and neither had been recorded by a DB … The Roughriders are making two other roster moves. Aaron Milton comes off the practice roster to replace fellow linebacker Dillon Grondin, who has been put on the six-game injured list. And defensive lineman Antonio Longino has been activated off the practice roster to replace defensive lineman/linebacker Will Ratelle, who moves to the practice roster.

For the full depth chart click here

For Game Notes click here