The B.C. Lions will visit Mosaic Stadium to oppose the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL’s West Division semi-final on Nov. 2.
Tickets are available HERE for a Saturday home playoff game that is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.
“Certainly in Saskatchewan, with the great fan base that we have, they’ll be rockin’, ” veteran long snapper Jorgen Hus says in advance of his seventh post-season game as a Roughrider.
Saskatchewan earned hosting privileges by finishing second in the West. B.C. placed third.
“There’s no greater feeling than playing at home,” receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker says. “(Opponents) know there’s 12 people on the field, but it feels like there’s 30,000 people on the field coming at you.
“The fans are into it for all four quarters. That’s the best part. Until that clock hits zero, we know that whole stadium is going to be turnt up and everyone will be on their feet, screaming.
“We just ask that you (fans) bring the most energy that you’ve ever brought to that stadium.”
A Mosaic Stadium crowd was energized by the events of Oct. 12, when Saskatchewan defeated B.C. 39-8 to guarantee a winning season and, better yet, a home playoff game.
One week before the lopsided victory over B.C., the Roughriders had clinched a playoff berth.
“I’ve been waiting for this for three years now,” says two-time 1,000-yard receiver Samuel Emilus, the Roughriders’ first-round draft choice in 2022.
“My first two years, I didn’t get the chance to make the playoffs. This year, with the new coaching staff and the new group of guys, we get a chance.
“Having it at home, it’s big for the fans and for us, because it’s going to be a different atmosphere.”
Trevor Harris has experienced the atmosphere from both sidelines.
Once a familiar face as a visiting quarterback, Harris has called signals for the Green and White since 2023.
“The crowd here brings the energy,” the 12th-year CFLer says. “When you score a touchdown, instead of just giving a fist-pump and doing your little dance and hearing boos, you can celebrate with the crowd.
“Their energy is infectious. Them being here for us and having that energy is gigantic. It always has been.
“Even when I’ve played here as a visitor, I’ve just loved the energy that the fans have brought. If we can fill Mosaic, I know they’ll continue to help us have that advantage.
“And we’ve got to do our best to make sure we’re bringing wins home for them.”
Along with lifting the team, the fans’ energy can also have an impact on how the visiting team plays the game.
“If their quarterback is on a silent cadence and you’ve got to have your head down to look at the snap as opposed to the communication being verbal and audible, it makes a difference because of the split-second in which a defence can change,” Harris notes.
“The biggest thing this crowd can bring is energy and we need our fans to show up and really show the rest of the league what this advantage is — the best fan base in the league.”
The winner of the Roughriders-Lions game will meet the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the West final on Nov. 9.
The ultimate objective is to advance to the 111st Grey Cup Game, set for Nov. 17 in Vancouver.
“We want so badly — so badly — to give this province what it deserves,” first-year Head Coach Corey Mace says.
