July 18, 2018

The Roughriders visit the Tiger-Cats for a rematch

Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-2-0)
at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-2-0)
Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Tim Hortons Field
CKRM, TSN

 

THE FORECAST: Environment Canada is calling for a sunny day with a high of 28 C. The evening is to be clear with a low of 19 C.

THE LOWDOWN: The Roughriders and Tiger-Cats meet in the back end of a home-and-home series that, due to a bye week, has been stretched out. Saskatchewan won the series opener, prevailing 18-13 at home on July 5 … The Roughriders have won four straight regular-season games against Hamilton and seven of their past 11. Saskatchewan is 2-3-0 in its past five road games versus the Tiger-Cats, including a 27-19 victory on Sept. 15, 2017 … The Roughriders have forced 31 two-and-outs this season, the highest such number in the CFL … Hamilton has allowed just three points in third quarters this season — but 42 points in fourth quarters.

THE RIDERS’ ROSTER: Quarterback Brandon Bridge is set to make his third straight start for Saskatchewan and the fourth of his career in green and white. He’s returning to the site of his first start (and first victory) for the Roughriders; he helped them win in Hamilton last season … Saskatchewan head coach-GM Chris Jones said this week that Bridge and backup David Watford will rotate during this game, just as they did on July 5. The coaches believe the quarterbacks possess different strengths, so the rotation allows the coaches to run different plays with each of the QBs … Tailback Marcus Thigpen scored Saskatchewan’s first rushing touchdown of the season in the first meeting, a 34-yard gallop that provided the winning points. He’ll start again Thursday, with Tre Mason and Jerome Messam as his backups … Slotback Naaman Roosevelt leads the Roughriders this season with 14 receptions, 166 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. Those numbers leave him 21st in the league in catches, 22nd in yards and tied for fifth in TDs … Roosevelt again will be joined in the starting receiving corps by Shaq Evans, Caleb Holley, Josh Stanford and Jordan Williams-Lambert. Duron Carter, who has been moved to cornerback, also could get some action at receiver … The starting five on the offensive line comprises centre Dan Clark, guards Dariusz Bladek and Brendon LaBatte, and tackles Thaddeus Coleman and Terran Vaughn. Defensive tackle Eddie Steele will be the sixth man … Defensive end Charleston Hughes enters the week with a league-high five sacks. The 11-year CFL veteran provided a spark for the Roughriders in the first meeting when he poked the ball out of the hands of Hamilton quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, snagged it in midair and rumbled 57 yards for a touchdown … Hughes will be joined in the starting unit by end Willie Jefferson and tackles Mic’hael Brooks and Zack Evans, with Steele, Tobi Antigha, Chad Geter and Jordan Reaves as the backups … Outside linebackers Derrick Moncrief (20 tackles, two tackles for losses, one pass knockdown) and Sam Eguavoen (17 tackles, three tackles for losses, one forced fumble) have been outstanding for the Roughriders. They’ll flank middle linebacker Sam Hurl (14 tackles) in the starting crew … The starting secondary once again will comprise Carter and Jovon Johnson on the corners, Crezdon Butler and Ed Gainey as the halfbacks and Mike Edem at safety. In the first meeting, the Roughriders’ DBs often lined up opposite specific receivers — Carter covered Terrence Toliver, Gainey had Brandon Banks and so on — and that tactic could be used again … Punter Josh Bartel, kicker Brett Lauther and long-snapper Jorgen Hus will be Saskatchewan’s specialists. Bartel averaged 47.1 yards when the teams met at Mosaic Stadium and Lauther hit two field goals, running his string of consecutive makes to 10 … There’s only one roster move for this game. In a swap of nationals, defensive back Tristan Doughlin takes the spot of defensive tackle Makana Henry, who goes on the one-game injured list with an ankle issue.

 

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