Season series on the line in Riders-Stamps showdown

It’s only July, but Saturday’s Saskatchewan Roughriders game could have major CFL playoff implications.

If the Riders defeat the Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan would clinch the season series between the teams for the first time since 2018 and would have the tiebreaking edge on the Stamps.

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

“We know how important this is. It’s a West opponent so it’s important for us to go out there and take advantage of this opportunity,” said Saskatchewan tailback Jamal Morrow, who had 133 yards on 22 carries in a 29-26 overtime win over Calgary in Week 3.

“We have discussed it a little bit and we know how important it is. But at the end of the day, it’s another opponent in front of us – we have to go 1-and-0 this week.”

While Saskatchewan has a 3-1-0 record, it has won all of its games by a combined eight points. While that might cause some to dismiss the team’s success, Morrow said the Riders aren’t worried about what others are saying.

“I don’t care about that; our record says we’re 3-and-1 and we find a way to win. It doesn’t matter if it’s ugly or pretty, we find a way to win,” Morrow said. “It doesn’t matter who our opponent is, our record speaks for itself.”

The Riders’ offence will look to bounce back after a tough outing against the Edmonton Elks. Saskatchewan struggled to score throughout most of the game, but orchestrated its lone touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter to earn a 12-11 win.

“The great thing is that we are winning the close games, which is something that is a learned thing and a belief factor,” quarterback Trevor Harris said. “We have a team that believes in one another and we will get it done late.”

Harris could reach a milestone this week, as he needs only 231 yards to be the 19th player in CFL history to throw for 30,000 yards.

“It means I’m getting old,” the 37-year-old said jokingly. “I don’t take any stock in that stuff. That’s stuff after I am done playing, or maybe after it happens, I can look back and be like, ‘Sheesh, never in a million years did I think I could do that.’ ”

While the Riders believe their offence hasn’t reached its potential, it has been one of the league’s top units thus far.

Saskatchewan has averaged 21.3 points per game so far – good for fourth in the CFL. It is also averaging 382.3 yards per game, second-most in the CFL behind the B.C. Lions.

“We know we are resilient,” said guard Logan Ferland. “We just need to start the game strong – that’s what we need to do.

“We need to continue to (run the ball) and not just work on the exterior run game we have but the interior run game we know we have. We just have to dominate up front.”

The Riders’ offensive line will see another change this week due to a finger injury to left tackle Brandon Council. In his place will be Eric Lofton, who started two games at right tackle this season.

Receiver Shawn Bane Jr. is also excited about welcoming Calgary to Mosaic Stadium. The former Stamp hauled in three passes for 77 yards in their first meeting at McMahon Stadium.

“It’s still fun,” Bane Jr. said. “It’s still a great competition. I know those guys and you just have to bring it.

“We got the one in their (stadium) so (a win here) would mean they can’t break the tiebreaker.”

In that first game, defensive back Nic Marshall ended the game in overtime by intercepting a pass from Calgary quarterback Jake Maier. Last week against Edmonton, Marshall once again clinched the win with another interception, this time off Edmonton quarterback Taylor Cornelius.

Linebacker Derrick Moncrief views it as a friendly competition to be the next defender to end a game with a big play.

“I told (Marshall) he is up by two – I’ve got to catch him,” Moncrief said. “I’ve got to keep preparing.”

Maier has struggled to start the 2023 season, throwing for 907 yards, with six interceptions and just two touchdowns.

But the Riders haven’t had success getting to the quarterback recently, recording only one quarterback sack over the past three games.

“We just have to compete, rush as one and let our guys on the back end cover,” said defensive end Pete Robertson. “We just have to do our job up front and get to the quarterback.

“We want to try our best to make him feel uncomfortable all game.”

Calgary does come in with a formidable rushing attack led by Dedrick Mills, who has 273 yards in three games of action.

A big key to stopping the run for the Riders, defensive end Anthony Lanier II, is out this week with a foot injury. Defensive tackle DeMarcus Christmas will rejoin the lineup.

The Riders will also be without Rolan Milligan Jr. (foot) for a bit; he was put on the six-game injured list. Defensive back Jeremy Clark will play in his place.

With the game meaning so much to both teams, Riders head coach Craig Dickenson expects Calgary to come out firing.

“I know those guys well and they have a lot of pride. They have had success here – we haven’t played them as well here as we have on the road,” Dickenson said. “I think we are going to get their best shot. Hopefully we can withstand it early and wear them down late.”