Riders excited about trip to Halifax, but focused on showdown

While Touchdown Atlantic isn’t new to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, a couple of members of the team are getting their first taste of Atlantic Canada as pros.

For the second straight season, the Riders will take on the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL’s Touchdown Atlantic game, this time at Huskie Stadium in Halifax. Kickoff for the game is set for 2 p.m.

Linebacker Micah Teitz missed all of last season with a hip injury, so he didn’t play in the 2022 edition of the game — a 30-24 loss to the Argos.

“It will be cool,” Teitz said. “I went out there for Canada Cup when I was a kid. We went to Moncton, so it will be cool to go back out and play some professional football.”

Centre Peter Godber, who is set to return to the lineup after missing the past three games with a hand injury, is also visiting the Maritimes for the first time since he was a teen.

“I went in high school when I was in Grade 11 but I haven’t been back since,” Godber said. “I think it was Theodore the Tugboat I saw when I was there. I’m not sure if he is still there; it has been 10 years, but I hope he is still there. I’d love to see him.”

But this isn’t a vacation for the Riders, it’s a business trip.

“We came there to win a football game and that’s all our mindset is,” Godber said. “It’s going to be a lot of rest and watching film and talking with the guys with how we see things.

“We’re there to play football.”

Godber will play his first game with quarterback Mason Fine as the starter in place of an injured Trevor Harris.

Godber and Fine have some history with each other, though on opposite sidelines. While Fine was the quarterback of the North Texas Mean Green, Godber was playing for the Rice Owls.

“Mason Fine is a great quarterback. I played against him for multiple years in college … I don’t think I beat Mason Fine once,” Godber said. “He was a great player in college and he’s a great player in the pros.

“We have to do a good job protecting him because he’s a good football player.”

Teitz and the Riders’ defence will try to stop Chad Kelly and an Argos offence that has led to Toronto being the last remaining undefeated team in the league.

“They have lots of weapons and they are a good team. They are first in tons of offensive categories so we just have to play disciplined,” Teitz said. “I think when it comes to our goal of stopping the run, we have to be gap-sound and bring our legs when we tackle.”

Notes: Defensive end Anthony Lanier II (foot), tackle Colin Kelly (foot), slotback Brayden Lenius (back) and slotback Jake Wieneke (knee) are all set to rejoin the lineup this week … Riders tackle Brandon Council has been fined by the CFL for an unnecessary hit on B.C. Lions defensive lineman Nathan Cherry. Calgary Stampeders linebacker Micah Awe has also been fined for a Week 6 high hit on Riders quarterback Shea Patterson.