It’s a battle of two teams at the top of the CFL’s West Division standings as the 4-0 Roughriders visit the 4-1 Lions
The Lions (4-1) lost their opening game of the year to the Toronto Argonauts before rattling off four straight wins to sit atop the West Division standings alongside Saskatchewan (4-0).
Now the two teams will square off on Saturday night in Vancouver (5 p.m., TSN) in the first of two meetings this year, with the other slated for Oct. 12 in Week 19.
That total has Adams on pace for 6,307 yards this year, which would be second most behind all-time leader Doug Flutie, who had 6,619 yards in 1991 with B.C.
“It’s going to be everybody doing their job.”
Brother battle
Roughriders’ safety Nelson Lokombo, a product Abbotsford, B.C., is not only set to play in front of friends and family in his home province, but he’s also set to go up against his older brother Bo, a 33-year-old linebacker for the Lions.
“It’s going to be cool seeing him and seeing the family but it’s just another game,” said Nelson, 25.
Since the brothers are both defensive players, they don’t see much of each other on the field. However, there were a couple instances last year when the Riders played against the Lions when the pair was on the field together.
“Last year, I lined up on him a couple times,” said Lokombo. “He was trying to block me on a punt.
“I don’t know what he’s going to say but I think I won that one.”
Coastal connection
Roughriders’ defensive lineman Lake Korte-Moore also has plenty of connections in Vancouver, having suited up for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds from 2018 to 2022.
And while he played in B.C. twice last year in his rookie season, the 24-year-old former first-round pick is always excited to head back to the West coast.
“It’s going to be a special one,” said Korte-Moore. “I’ve got of a lot of friends and family coming out.”
Other side
B.C.’s lineup also included a few familiar faces who spent time with the Green and White in the last few years including backup quarterback Jake Dolegala, receiver Justin McInnis and defensive end Pete Robertson, who remains a close friend of Korte-Moore.
“He’s an awesome guy,” said Korte-Moore. “He taught me a lot last year so still a great friend of mine.”
B.C.’s lineup also features Regina natives Ryder Varga and Kieran Poissant.
Defenders down
“It’s definitely tough to see both of those guys go down but both of them have been in high spirits and they want to stick around this team because we’re such a close-knit group,” said Korte-Moore. “It’s nice to still have them around but obviously it blows that they’re not out there on the field with us.
“But they know that we’ve got their back … When they go down, they know that the next guy is going to be ready.”
Defensive end Malik Carney (knee) will also miss Saturday’s game as he heads to the one-game injured list alongside fellow defensive lineman Nicholas Dheilly (shoulder).
Miles Brown will make his return to the lineup after sitting out last week while Caleb Sanders will make his season debut. Meanwhile, Anthony Lanier II will move from defensive tackle to defensive end.
Bane’s return
After missing last week’s game due to personal reasons, Roughriders’ receiver Shawn Bane Jr. is back in the lineup this week in place of KeeSean Johnson.
In three games this year, the 29-year-old has 211 receiving yards and three touchdowns, which is just one TD shy of his career high set last season,
“He’s a spark to our team,” said quarterback Shea Patterson. “He’s probably the fastest guy out there.
“Just to get him back in the room, to get his energy back in the room is huge.”
Last year, Bane racked up 1,104 receiving yards in his first season with the Riders.
Now, he’s set to play with a new starting quarterback as Patterson makes his second career start this week.
“Super excited for Shea and glad to be on the field with him this week,” said Bane. “Shea really is a leader.
“Obviously he can throw the hell out of the ball so I’m just excited to be on the field with him.”
Other lineup changes
Running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon also returns to the lineup as the backup running back, replacing Frankie Hickson who heads back to the practice roster.
Linebackers Adam Auclair and Zakoby McClain also draw in this week as the Riders go from dressing nine defensive linemen last week to just seven this week.
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