The Saskatchewan Roughriders aren’t attaching a burdensome weight to Friday’s CFL clash with the host Ottawa REDBLACKS.
At the same time, members of the Green and White don’t have to be reminded of the game’s magnitude.
“At the end of the day, it’s the next one, so it’s definitely the most important,” kicker Brett Lauther said after Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium.
“Obviously, with our schedule, we haven’t been doing ourselves too many favours. We want to get back on track as a team — not just on special teams or offence or defence — and just play for 60 minutes and put our best foot forward.
“But this one is definitely important.”
Despite back-to-back losses, Saskatchewan still enjoys some breathing room as it strives to return to the playoffs.
The Roughriders have a 6-7 record and 12 points — good for third in the West Division. They are four points ahead of the Calgary Stampeders (4-9) and Edmonton Elks (4-10).
The REDBLACKS (3-10) are last in the four-team East Division as they prepare to play host to a Saskatchewan side that has suffered four consecutive losses on the road after winning its first two away games of the season.
“We just need a win,” Head Coach Craig Dickenson said. “Regardless of whether we’re home or away, we need to play well and get on a little bit of a momentum swing here as we get closer to the playoffs.
“That’s the key for us. We’ve got to start playing well, because the playoffs are getting closer.”
Friday’s game (to be aired on TSN and CKRM) is to begin at 5 p.m., Saskatchewan time.
The following Friday, the Roughriders visit B.C. before returning home against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Oct. 7 — Legends Night.
In conjunction with the Hamilton game, the Roughriders will celebrate the 2023 SaskTel Plaza of Honour inductees.
This year’s enshrines are Wendy Kelly (builder) and the 2013 Grey Cup champions (team).
Members of the 2013 squad have been invited back to Saskatchewan to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a season that culminated in a landmark home-field Grey Cup victory.
RECEIVING LINE
Entering this week’s slate of games, the Roughriders have the eighth-, ninth- and 10th-ranked receivers in the league, yardage-wise.
Tevin Jones leads with the Roughriders with 796 receiving yards, followed by Shawn Bane Jr. (746) and Samuel Emilus (721).
Bane leads the loop in receptions (67).
Over a full season, a Roughrider has not finished No. 1 in catches since Curtis Marsh (102 in 2000).
Jack Hill (60 catches in 1958), Molly McGee (68 in 1977), Joey Walters (102 in 1982), Craig Ellis (91 in 1984; 102 in 1985) and Don Narcisse (123 in 1995) are the other Saskatchewan players to have registered a league-high receptions total.
GOLD STANDARD
The seventh annual YQR Believe in the Gold Run to End Childhood Cancer is to be held Saturday morning in Wascana Centre (west lawn, Legislative grounds).
Once again, the local event is being organized by former Roughriders linebacker and special-teams standout Dan Rashovich — a 2011 Plaza of Honour inductee and a member of the 1989 Grey Cup champions.
“The funds go to families in Saskatchewan for out-of-pocket expenses, and toward research,” Rashovich said. “In 2022, we helped 44 families with out-of-pocket expenses.”
Registration and race-kit pickup begins Saturday at 9 a.m., with the run/walk to start at 10 a.m.
Along with the run/walk, there will be various family-oriented activities for people of all ages.
This year’s other Believe in the Gold fundraiser was held last weekend in Calgary.
For more information, or to donate, visit believeinthegold.ca.
