Riders Carney and Thurman to face former Ti-Cats teammates

A couple members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders are ready to show their claws when they face their former team on Sunday.
Riders defensive end Malik Carney spent three seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, recording 13 sacks in that time.
Linebacker Jameer Thurman spent the 2023 season there after the previous four were spent in Calgary with the Stampeders. In his career, Thurman has 371 tackles, 11 sacks, eight interceptions and 10 forced fumbles. He was a Grey Cup champion with Calgary in 2018.

“It’s going to be exciting. A lot of emotion,” Carney said. “I’m ready for them boys so I know they are going to bring their best but we’re going to bring our best.  Both joined the Riders this off-season and will take on Hamilton on Sunday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.

“It’s going to be a very physical battle and an intense game,” Carney said.

Both Carney and Thurman will try to stop a Ti-Cats offence led by quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell.

Mitchell is in his second season in Hamilton after being with Calgary since 2012, winning two Grey Cups with the Stamps.
Last season, Mitchell spent two separate spells on the six-game injured list – once due to an adductor injury and the other a fractured leg.
He played in six games last season, throwing for 1,031 yards, six touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

This will be the first time Thurman will play against Mitchell after being his teammate on both teams.
“I haven’t gone against him in a game so I’m definitely looking forward to the opportunity and I know he is too,” Thurman said. “There has always been jarring between us because we knew we were always on the same team so now that we are on opposite teams, there’s probably a little extra competition coming into this game.”

Carney is also looking forward to facing the veteran pivot after playing with him last season.
“Stop him? I’m getting ready to – actually I won’t say too much,” Carney said. “I’m ready to stop him, we’re going to say that.”

Thurman does admit there is a little extra motivation when it’s a game against a team you used to play for.
“Those teams are a lot of the players that you have played with before,” Thurman said. “At the same time, I’m just trying to come out of there 1-0.”

As Carney returns to Hamilton for the first time as a visitor, he admits there are a lot of emotions heading into the game.
“Just being built up. A lot of intensity,” Carney said. “I really can’t say too much – I just have to let it all come out on the field and just attack them boys and take it right to them.”