‘A once-in-a-lifetime moment:’ Logan Bandy to start at centre for Riders

Logan Bandy will snap to it with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The 23-year-old centre will start his first CFL game on Thursday against the Montreal Alouettes after an injury to long-serving starter Dan Clark.

Kickoff for the game is set for 5:30 p.m. The Green Zone pre-game show begins at 3 p.m.

“It’s super-exciting for me. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” Bandy said. “You only have your first start once, so I’m going to go out and play for (Clark) and communicate with the guys and do my best.”

Clark was injured late in the fourth quarter of Saskatchewan’s 26-16 win over the Edmonton Elks.

An Edmonton defender went to tackle Riders running back Jamal Morrow and ended up slamming into the side of Clark’s right leg. On Monday, Clark confirmed he suffered a broken fibula and a shifted ankle bone.

“Seeing anyone go down is tough but especially that — a really good friend of mine and we’re like brothers, so it’s heartbreaking,” said guard Logan Ferland, who has lined up beside Clark since becoming a starter last year.

“It didn’t even feel like a win at the end of that. That’s all you’re thinking of at the end.”

“It’s heartbreaking for all the guys to see our leader go down like that. He’s the heart and soul of the team and with 13 years of experience, there’s no guy like him,” Bandy added. “It was super-hard to see him go down and we’re playing for him now.”

While Bandy is from Calgary and played university football with the University of Calgary Dinos, he already has convinced his family to trade in their red for green and white.

“I’ve officially converted all the family over,” Bandy said. “It was pretty easy.”

To add to the challenge of coming in for the longest-serving member of the Riders, Bandy only has two practices to prepare for Montreal.

“There’s always going to be nerves but once you get that first play out of the way, it’s just football. You just have to play and move on from the mistakes you make and keep playing,” Bandy said.

“I’m not dwelling on it for a week but I’m super-excited to get out there.”

Head coach Craig Dickenson said he has confidence in Bandy to step into the role in his first start.

“He’s ready to go. He had a good camp and we feel like he has really progressed,” Dickenson said. “I’m excited to see what he can do and I think the offensive line is confident he can step in and do a good job.”

Fajardo in knee brace

The game against the Elks was a physical one and the signs of the battle between the two are apparent.

Riders quarterback Cody Fajardo had a brace on his left knee during closed practice Tuesday.

“Shiny, right? It’s pretty new. I got dinged up a little bit in the game and I’m going to gut this one out like I usually do,” Fajardo said.

During the game against Edmonton, Fajardo took a hit to the leg in the first quarter and hopped off the field. He finished the game, throwing for 247 yards and a touchdown.

Williams limited in practice, questionable for game

The health of slotback Duke Williams will continue to be monitored heading into Montreal.

Williams suffered an ankle injury last week in practice, forcing him to miss the game against the Elks.

“We had him out there doing a little bit, (but) not full go. We’re going to wait and see how he feels (Wednesday) but hopefully he will go,” Dickenson said.

Even if Williams plays, Dickenson expects slotback Mitch Picton to still have a role in the game.

Picton started against the Elks, catching four passes for 56 yards and the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. He also caught the ensuing two-point conversion.

“It feels good. It was a solid performance. It wasn’t perfect but I was able to make a couple of plays and help our team win which is the most important thing,” Picton said.

Defensive tackle Charbel Dabire (knee), slotback Jake Harty (Achilles) and defensive end Charleston Hughes (thigh) are all questionable for this week’s game. Fullback Bruno Labelle (calf) has been ruled out.