Ottawa Redblacks (6-5-0)
at Saskatchewan Roughriders (7-4-0)
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Mosaic Stadium
CKRM, TSN
THE FORECAST: Environment Canada is calling for periods of rain during the evening with a low of 10 C.
THE LOWDOWN: The Roughriders and Redblacks meet for the second time in the 2018 regular season. Ottawa won 40-17 when the teams played in the nation’s capital on June 21 … Saskatchewan has won four straight games, while the Redblacks are riding a two-game losing streak … This is the first of three games in a row against East Division opponents for Saskatchewan, which is to visit the Toronto Argonauts on Sept. 22 and the Montreal Alouettes on Sept. 30. The Roughriders opened the season with five straight games against East teams, going 3-2-0 … This is the Roughriders’ annual Lights Out Game, so Mosaic Stadium’s lights will be extinguished for the player introductions. It’s also the Purolator Tackle Hunger game, so fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the stadium.
THE RIDERS’ ROSTER: Quarterback Zach Collaros is to make his sixth straight start for the Roughriders and his eighth of the season — although there was some concern that he wouldn’t be ready for this game. The veteran pivot left Saskatchewan’s 32-27 victory over the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday after taking a big hit early in the fourth quarter. Collaros was placed in the CFL’s concussion protocol and didn’t return to the game, but he has been cleared to go this week … In Collaros’ absence, Brandon Bridge completed three of six pass attempts for 32 yards in limited duty but helped get the Roughriders into range for two Brett Lauther field goals that provided the margin of victory … Tre Mason had his best day as a Roughrider on Saturday, setting CFL career highs in carries (20) and rushing yards (117). Mason and Marcus Thigpen (who had one rush for two yards and one catch for 12 yards in Winnipeg) are to rotate at tailback Saturday … Saskatchewan’s starting receivers once again will be Shaq Evans, Kyran Moore, Naaman Roosevelt, Josh Stanford and Jordan Williams-Lambert. Rog Bagg, who made his season debut in Winnipeg, and Brian Jones are the backups … The starting offensive line remains the same as the previous game, with Dan Clark at centre, Dariusz Bladek and Brendon LaBatte at guard, and Takoby Cofield and Thaddeus Coleman at tackle. Josiah St. John will be the sixth man … The Roughriders’ starting defensive linemen are tackles Mic’hael Brooks and Zack Evans and ends Willie Jefferson and Charleston Hughes. Tobi Antigha, Chad Geter, Makana Henry, Curt Maggitt and Eddie Steele will be the backups … Jefferson was a monster in Winnipeg, recording a sack, a pass knockdown, numerous pressures and a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown … Jefferson’s pick-six was matched by one by Sam Eguavoen, who went 103 yards with his interception. The Roughriders’ weak-side linebacker was all over the field in Winnipeg as well, recording three tackles, two tackles for losses, a sack and his pick-six … Joining Eguavoen in the starting linebacking crew are Sam Hurl and Derrick Moncrief, with Cam Judge fitting into the rotation … Moncrief returns to the lineup after missing six games with a shoulder injury. That sends the man who replaced him, Matt Elam, to cornerback. Moncrief takes the roster spot of Crezdon Butler, who has been placed on the one-game injured list … Former Redblacks DB Loucheiz Purifoy, who had two picks in Winnipeg, starts again at halfback in the Roughriders’ secondary. His fellow starters are Elam and Nick Marshall on the corners, Ed Gainey at halfback and Mike Edem at safety. Jovon Johnson is the sixth man … Thigpen and Moore will handle the return duties in the continued absence of Christion Jones … Punter Josh Bartel, long-snapper Jorgen Hus and kicker Brett Lauther once again will be the Roughriders’ specialists … Special-teamer Jordan Reaves has been moved to the one-game injured list, opening up a roster spot for fullback Albert Awachie.
Click here for the full depth chart
Click here for the full game notes
