Technically, Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Lake Korte-Moore is preparing for a road game.
But the team’s next destination — Vancouver — hardly qualifies as foreign or hostile territory for the former UBC Thunderbirds standout.
“B.C. is like a second home to me,” the Ottawa-born Korte-Moore said in advance of Saturday’s CFL clash with the B.C. Lions. “It’s a place that I’ve lived for the last six years now and I love it.
“I’ve got a lot of friends and family coming down from Whistler, and then I have friends and former teammates at UBC who are going to be out at that game, so it’s going to be an awesome time.
“Hopefully we come out with the win and I’m able to see all my friends and family after the game.”
One of those friends is Lions linebacker Ben Hladik, a third-year CFLer and a fellow Thunderbirds alumnus.
“He was a big, big person in my development when it comes to football at UBC,” Korte-Moore said. “I played with him on Team Canada and at UBC and I consider him one of my best friends.
“I’m really close with him and his entire family, so it would be awesome to play with him or against him on the field. Hopefully I’ll get to see his brothers and family after the game as well and we can get a picture.”
Korte-Moore once tried to picture what it would be like to play in the CFL. He was most familiar with BC Place Stadium, as one who frequented Lions games as a spectator, but aspired to set foot on the field.
“We never got the opportunity to play there (at UBC),” he noted. “I was hoping that the Shrum Bowl (against Simon Fraser University) was going to be played there last year, but we played up at SFU instead.
“It’ll be awesome to just be down on the field. It’s a really nice stadium from the inside, so I’ll take in every moment that I can when I’m out there.”
Korte-Moore, whom the Roughriders drafted third overall in 2023, has four defensive tackles and two special-teams tackles after his first five CFL games — three of which Saskatchewan has won.
“It’s definitely a learning curve, but it has been awesome, especially with the D-line group that we have,” he said. “The veterans have taught me so much and, with this team and all the coaches that we have, I think it has been an awesome first few games.
“Obviously, we wish we could have come out with a few more wins, but it’s a long season and we’ve got a lot ahead.
“There’s a lot to learn for myself, just in general. I’m nowhere near perfect and nowhere near my highest ceiling yet, so hopefully I can just keep working and learn from everyone around me.”
LOTS ON THE LINE
Roughriders Head Coach Craig Dickenson is looking for improved line play against the Lions.
B.C. has allowed only 10 sacks while compiling a 4-1 record.
As well, the Lions have sacked the opposing quarterback 21 times. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers lead the league with 22 sacks.
“We think we can do better,” Dickenson said on Wednesday. “I put up some stats this morning and we know we’ve got to improve in terms of protecting the quarterback and getting after the quarterback.”
QUICK KICKS
Roughriders placekicker Brett Lauther has yet to practise this week due to a lingering hamstring injury.
The respite is strictly a precaution.
“Brett’s going to play unless he does something silly between now and Day 4,” Dickenson said after the Day 2 workout.
The Roughriders’ field boss added that there is a “small chance” of centre Peter Godber returning to the lineup on Saturday. Godber has missed the past two games with a hand injury.
