Roughriders look to regain momentum against Elks

The Saskatchewan Roughriders got knocked down in their last game. Now it’s up to the team to bounce back up again.

The Green and White were back on the practice field Tuesday for the first time since losing 51-6 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Banjo Bowl on Saturday.

“We came out here today with a lot of focus and I feel like we executed really well,” Riders quarterback Jake Dolegala said. “We just have to take it one day at a time and one play at a time.

“It’s nothing new to us. We’re just focused on Edmonton and getting going.”

Saskatchewan will look to get back into the win column, and gain some positive momentum in the CFL’s West Division, against the Edmonton Elks on Friday. Kickoff for the game is set for 7:30 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

The Riders have bounced back before this season after getting dismantled. Following a 41-12 loss to the Alouettes in Montreal on Aug. 11, Saskatchewan responded with a 34-29 win over the B.C. Lions on Aug. 20.

“We’ve just got to be locked in. All our focus has to be (on Edmonton),” Dolegala said. “Just one play at a time and one day at a time.

“We’re totally moved on. Edmonton is the only thing on our minds right now.”

The Riders as a whole struggled mightily against Winnipeg in the Banjo Bowl. Not only did the Riders have only 204 yards of net offence but the defence couldn’t handle the potent Bombers attack. Winnipeg’s first punt came with just over 30 seconds left in the game.

Riders head coach Craig Dickenson believes the Riders have the right people in the locker room to handle this kind of adversity and get things back on track.

“You have to enjoy football and you have to enjoy coming to work and I think we’ve got a group that does both,” Dickenson said. “I don’t sense it’s festering at all.

“Guys are totally focused on Edmonton. They know how big this game is. Really, in the standings it means a lot if we can beat them and that’s where our focus has been.”

The Riders have won both of their previous meetings against the Elks this season, but the last time these two faced off was on July 6, with the Riders winning 12-11.

But both teams have dealt with injuries and changes to their roster over the past few weeks, with Dolegala now leading the Riders’ offence and Tre Ford providing some positive momentum for the Elks.

“He’s been playing really well and at a high level,” Dolegala said of his Edmonton counterpart. “They have been putting up some points. We know it’s going to be a battle. They have a lot to play for, but as do we.

“I think it’s going to be an exciting game. Props to (Ford); he has been playing really well.”

Notes: Offensive lineman Philip Blake (pectoral muscle) logged a full practice Tuesday. His status for the game is still up in the air. Guard Evan Johnson (foot) was also on the field after missing last week … Quarterback Mason Fine (hamstring) had a full practice … Defensive back Deontai Williams (hamstring) and defensive end Anthony Lanier II (non-football-related) missed practice.