Saskatchewan Roughriders (1-0-0)
at Ottawa Redblacks (0-0-0)
Thursday, 5:30 p.m., TD Place
CKRM, TSN
THE FORECAST: Environment Canada is calling for a sunny day with a high of 22 C. The evening is to be clear with a low of 11 C.
THE LOWDOWN: The Roughriders opened the regular season on Friday with a 27-19 victory over the visiting Toronto Argonauts. The Redblacks had a bye in Week 1 … The last time Saskatchewan started a season with two straight victories was 2013. It went 1-1 to open the 2014 campaign before losing its first two games in each of the 2015, ’16 and ’17 seasons … The Roughriders used their loss to Toronto in the 2017 Eastern Final as motivation for their season-opener, so they have to be prepared for a similar situation Thursday. Saskatchewan defeated the host Redblacks in the 2017 Eastern Semi-Final and Ottawa could very well be driven to avenge that loss in the teams’ first meeting since that game.
THE RIDERS’ ROSTER: Quarterback Zach Collaros was efficient and effective in the season-opening victory over Toronto, completing 18 of 25 pass attempts for 203 yards with one touchdown in his first start for Saskatchewan. Head coach-GM Chris Jones has said the Roughriders will use a quarterbacking system similar to the one they used in 2017, when Brandon Bridge came on in relief of starter Kevin Glenn whenever Glenn struggled … Tailback Jerome Messam rushed 21 times for 72 yards against Toronto, apparently motivated by his No. 29 ranking in TSN’s top 50. He’ll be backed up again by international Tre Mason, who fills that role in the absence of Marcus Thigpen … Nine players caught passes from Collaros in the opener. Each of the starting receivers — Duron Carter, Caleb Holley, Naaman Roosevelt, Josh Stanford and Jordan Williams-Lambert — had at least one reception, as did sixth man Devon Bailey … Shaq Evans joins the starting receiving corps this week, with Carter moving to cornerback to replace the injured Nick Marshall … The Roughriders will deploy the same offensive line to start Thursday’s game, including centre Dan Clark, guards Jarvis Harrison and Brendon LaBatte and tackles Thaddeus Coleman and Terran Vaughn. Dariusz Bladek likely will get some action at right guard … The Roughriders’ defensive line was exceptional against the Argos, recording 11 quarterback pressures and three sacks. Defensive end Charleston Hughes led the way, registering three sacks (including the 100th of his CFL career). He’ll be joined once again in the starting unit by end Willie Jefferson and tackles Zack Evans and Makana Henry, with Tobi Antigha, Chad Geter, Curt Maggitt, Jordan Reaves, Eddie Steele and Eric Striker providing backup … Outside linebackers Derrick Moncrief (eight tackles) and Sam Eguavoen (five tackles) were all over the field Friday. They’ll flank middle linebacker Sam Hurl in the starting unit, with others like Cameron Judge getting some playing time as well … The starting secondary comprises cornerbacks Carter and Jovon Johnson, halfbacks Crezdon Butler and Ed Gainey and safety Mike Edem … Brett Lauther went 4-for-5 on field-goal tries in the contest against the Argos — his first game as the Roughriders’ kicker. He’ll be joined by fellow specialists Josh Bartel (punter), Jorgen Hus (long snapper) and Christion Jones (returner) on special teams … Denzel Radford, one of the Roughriders’ top special-teamers in 2017, has been placed on the six-game injured list. His roster spot goes to backup fullback Albert Awachie.
