August 18, 2018

The Roughriders get a rematch with the Stampeders

Calgary Stampeders (7-0-0)
at Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-4-0)
Sunday, 5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium
CKRM, TSN

 

THE FORECAST: Environment Canada is calling for a sunny day with a high of 22 C.

THE LOWDOWN: The Roughriders and Stampeders are to meet for the third time in Regina in 2018. Calgary won the previous two games at Mosaic Stadium, prevailing 39-12 in a pre-season contest on June 8 and 34-22 in a regular-season meeting on July 28 … The Stamps have won five straight regular-season games in Regina, a streak that dates back to 2014 … Calgary is looking to start a season 8-0-0 for the first time since 1993 … The Roughriders are riding a two-game losing streak. After falling to Calgary on July 28, Saskatchewan lost 26-19 to the host Edmonton Eskimos on Aug. 2 … Former Roughriders president-CEO Jim Hopson and ex-Roughriders offensive tackle John Terry will be feted during Sunday’s game. On Friday, they were inducted as the Class of 2018 into the Roughriders’ Plaza of Honour … The contest also is part of the CFL’s “Diversity Is Strength” weekend. Former Roughriders running back Neal Hughes is the face of the campaign in Saskatchewan.

THE RIDERS’ ROSTER: Zach Collaros is to make his second straight start at quarterback since being activated off the six-game injured list prior to the game in Edmonton. Collaros threw for 261 yards against the Eskimos, the most passing yards by a Roughriders quarterback in a game this season. But Saskatchewan still entered the week ranked ninth in the CFL in pass attempts (205), completions (127) and yards (201.0 per game) and was tied for last in TD passes (five) … The Roughriders’ starting receiving corps has a new look following the release of Duron Carter. Caleb Holley returns to slotback — Carter played in that spot against the Eskimos — and joins Shaq Evans, Naaman Roosevelt, Josh Stanford and Jordan Williams-Lambert in the starting five … Veteran receiver Rob Bagg, who was re-signed Wednesday after being released in training camp, has been activated. He takes the roster spot of backup safety Marc-Olivier Brouillette, who has been placed on the six-game injured list … Tre Mason and Marcus Thigpen once again will split time at tailback for the Roughriders. Mason had his most productive game in the CFL against the Eskimos, rushing seven times for 62 yards and catching seven passes for 47 yards. Saskatchewan went into the week ranked second in the league in rushing yards per game (117.6), but ninth in rushing touchdowns (three) … The offensive line also has a new look. Takoby Cofield starts at left tackle in place of Terran Vaughn, who’s on the one-game injured list. The other starters —  Dan Clark at centre, Dariusz Bladek and Brendon LaBatte at guard and Thaddeus Coleman at right tackle — remain the same … Defensive end Charleston Hughes gets his second shot at the Stampeders since being traded away on Feb. 2. Hughes had two sacks in the July 28 game and entered the week as the CFL’s leading sack man, with nine … Hughes once again will be joined on the D-line by ends Tobi Antigha, Chad Geter, Willie Jefferson and Jordan Reaves and tackles Mic’hael Brooks, Zack Evans and Eddie Steele … Due to a clerical error, starting strong-side linebacker Matt Elam wasn’t eligible to play in Edmonton. That error likely won’t happen again, so Elam is set to make his second start in place of the injured Derrick Moncrief … Elam will be joined in the starting lineup by Sam Eguavoen (weak side) and Sam Hurl (middle) … With Elam sidelined in Edmonton, safety Mike Edem moved to SAM linebacker and Brouillette played safety — until he got hurt during the Eskimos’ second possession. Antigha then moved to safety … For this game, Edem returns to safety and joins cornerbacks Jovon Johnson and Nick Marshall and halfbacks Ed Gainey and Loucheiz Purifoy in the starting five. Purifoy, a recent signee, replaces Crezdon Butler … Punter Josh Bartel, long-snapper Jorgen Hus and kicker Brett Lauther again will be the Roughriders’ specialists, with Christion Jones as the returner. Lauther went into the week as the CFL leader in length of field goal attempted (an average of 38.6 yards) and made (an average of 38.8).

Click here for the full depth chart 
Click here for game notes