Game notes and roster updates ahead of Saskatchewan’s Week 19 CFL contest against B.C.
After clinching a playoff spot for the first time since 2021 last week, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have their sights set on achieving something bigger this week.
On Saturday (5 p.m., TSN), the second-place Roughriders (8-7-1) will host the third-place B.C. Lions (8-8) at Mosaic Stadium in Week 19 of the CFL season and with a win, the Green and White would secure a home playoff game.
“These are the fun ones when it’s like home field is on the line,” said Riders’ quarterback Trevor Harris. “Or we’re on the brink of doing certain things.
“It just adds a little element to it.”
“I’m happy that we’re finding ways to win games as opposed to the opposite,” said Riders’ head coach Corey Mace. “This is a part of where we intended to be and now there’s still lots of stuff to play for here these last few weeks.
“It’s extremely important for us to finish the season strong. You want to keep building off what we’ve been doing the last few weeks and roll into the playoffs still feeling like we’re getting better each week.”
If the Lions win on Saturday, Saskatchewan can still finish in second place in the West Division with a win over the Calgary Stampeders in Week 21 combined with a Lions loss to the Montreal Alouettes in Week 20.
Roster changes
Receiver Mitch Picton also returns from injury as he will backup Dhel Duncan-Busby this week.
Along the offensive line, there’s a pair of new guards as Zack Fry will start at left guard while Jacob Brammer returns to start at right guard. Noah Zerr will stay on the roster as a backup.
Defensively, cornerback Deontai Williams is back after serving a one-game suspension to start in place of Amari Henderson while defensive lineman Benoit Marion will also make his debut in green and white with Lake Korte-Moore (knee) heading to the injured list.
Ready for Rourke
The Lions — who are coming off a 32-15 win over the Calgary Stampeders last week — beat the Riders 35-20 in their only other meeting of the season this year back in Week 6.
In that game, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 451 yards but this week, it’s Nathan Rourke getting the start at quarterback for the Lions.
“It’s going to be a hard task to limit him to one or two things but if we’re able to, just like every other week, limit our explosive plays, limit his reads, we feel like we’ll be good,” said Riders’ defensive back Marcus Sayles, who spent the last three years with the Lions.
Canadian catchers
Saturday’s game features the top two Canadian receivers in the CFL.
Through 18 weeks, B.C.’s Justin McInnis leads the league with 1,244 yards while Saskatchewan’s Samuel Emilus had 970 and is just 30 yards away from securing 1,000 yards for the second straight year.
“We all know 1,000 yards is like a milestone for every receiver,” said Emilus, who had a career-high 88-yard touchdown reception last week against Edmonton. “But we all know we’ve got bigger goals.
“We want to go 1-0 this week and clinch a home playoff game.”
The last time these two teams met, Emilus had eight catches for 161 yards while McInnis racked up 243 receiving yards and a touchdown on 14 receptions.
Reavis fined
Roughriders linebacker C.J. Reavis has been fined an undisclosed amount by the CFL for “committing a non-football action by throwing a punch at Edmonton offensive lineman Jakub Szott” last week against the Elks.
Legends Night
Saturday’s game is dubbed “Legends Night” by the Roughriders as the Plaza of Honour induction ceremony will be held at halftime.
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