Game notes and roster updates as the Saskatchewan Roughriders get ready to face Ottawa in Week 17
In Week 17 of the CFL season, the Roughriders will welcome the Ottawa Redblacks to Mosaic Stadium on Saturday (1 p.m., CTV).
“It’s good to just get back on track,” said receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker, who needs four catches for 200 in his career. “And just get back to doing what we do.
“It’s a real big confidence booster and that was just a game we just got our swagger back so we’re ready to come in this week and look to go 1-0 again.”
The Redblacks have lost two straight and are coming off a 24-12 loss to the Montreal Alouettes last week. Saskatchewan and Ottawa last met in Week 10 of the season; a 22-22 tie.
Roster notes
With linebacker C.J. Reavis (knee) heading to the six-game injured list, the Roughriders are juggling their defensive lineup.
DaMarcus Fields will move from halfback to strongside linebacker to start for Reavis while Amari Henderson starts at halfback. Fellow halfback Rolan Milligan Jr. also returns to the lineup.
Meanwhile, defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II returns from the six-game injured list along with offensive lineman Jacob Brammer, who starts at right guard.
Linebacker Jordan Herdman-Reed (leg) has also been placed on the six-game injured list.
Rolan’s return
Last week, Milligan watched from afar as he was back home in Florida for the birth of his daughter
“My family always comes first,” said the proud father of four. “The coaches, they understand that.
“Just being there for my wife, just making sure that she’s OK, making sure the kids are OK and everything before I get back up here is big for me.”
This season, Milligan is among the top defenders in the league with 62 defensive tackles, 18 special teams tackles, 10 knockdowns and six interceptions in 13 games which has him in the conversation to be named the league’s most outstanding player.
“I know if I’m playing at my best and I’m making a lot of plays, it helps us win games,” said Milligan. “So, I try to use it as fuel sometimes just to keep me going.”
Brammer’s back
After suffering a knee injury during practice in July, Brammer is back along the offensive line this week.
Prior to his injury, the rookie started two games at right tackle in place of the injured Jermarcus Hardrick.
With Trevon Tate manning the right tackle spot now, the 6-foot-4, 301-pound Brammer will draw back into the lineup at guard, replacing fellow American rookie Nick Jones.
“I’m excited to get back out there,” said Brammer. “It was frustrating because I felt like I was playing well at the time, but everything happens for a reason.
“Just stuck with it mentally and just tried to stay in the game.”
Playoff picture
Entering Week 17, Saskatchewan sits three points ahead of the Edmonton Elks (5-9) for the third and final playoff spot in the West Division.
The Riders are also one point back of the second-place B.C. Lions (7-7). This week, the Lions face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5-9) on Friday while Edmonton takes on the first-place Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-6).
Saskatchewan will visit Edmonton next week before hosting B.C. on Oct. 12. After a bye week, the Riders wrap up the season against Calgary on Oct. 26.
“During our (winless) streak, it was just, ‘hey, you can’t be too low,’ ” said Riders head coach Corey Mace. “But you’ve got to have a sense of urgency.
“Coming off a win, certainly you can’t be too high. We’ve still got games to play so if we keep the focus on ourselves and just literally try to get better every single day, it puts us in our best position to move forward as a club.”
Masoli starts
For the Redblacks, veteran quarterback Jeremiah Masoli will start this week in place of the injured Dru Brown, who is listed as the third-string QB this week as he deals with an ankle injury.
Masoli has a career record of 2-5 as a starter against the Riders with his last start in Saskatchewan coming in 2022, when his season was cut short due to injury following a hit from Garrett Marino.
“Jeremiah, he can sit back there and sling it,” said Mace. “He shows he can still move around good in the pocket and I’m sure if something opens up, he does still have the ability to take off and be an athletic quarterback.”
kisiskâciwan game
Players will also be wearing orange jerseys during pre-game warmups, which will be auctioned off.
Prior to the game, the pre-game festivities will include a vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture. There will also be a special address from Cadmus Delorme, former chief of Cowessess First Nation and the current chair of the Residential Schools Document Advisory Committee about Truth and Reconciliation.
The Wooden Face Singers will also perform a traditional honour song before Metis Nation Saskatchewan Provincial Elder Norman Fleury introduces the starting lineup in Michif, the traditional language of the Metis people.
Saskatchewan Country Music Association female artist of the year and Indigenous artist of the year Teagan Littlechief will sing the national anthem in both English and Cree while the Creeland Dancers will perform at halftime.
Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and the first 5,000 fans will receive a Roughriders Cree fan scarf.
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