Riders’ defence look to keep Bo Levi Mitchell in check in rematch

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defence will try to stop Bo Levi Mitchell from having a repeat performance.

While the Riders beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-30 in Week 2, the veteran quarterback threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns in the game. His only interception came late in the game after a ball went off the hands of Tim White and into the grips of Riders linebacker C.J. Avery.

Mitchell had struggled to stay healthy the past two CFL seasons but appears to be firing on all cylinders early in 2024, throwing for 680 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions through a pair of games.

“(He threw) for over 300 yards – you can’t say he’s playing bad. He’s doing well,” said Riders’ defensive back Marcus Sayles. “He’s continued to trust his receivers.

“I think he’s going to keep doing well. We’re going to tune up some things and stop a lot of the explosive plays that we gave up and we feel like we will still be successful.”

Riders’ defensive tackle Micah Johnson was Mitchell’s teammate from 2013-18 with the Calgary Stampeders. He admits the pivot is looking like the younger version of the quarterback from Calgary.

“He’s making a lot of good throws,” Johnson said.

“For us, it’s about trying to keep him in the pocket and make him uncomfortable. He’s a rhythm quarterback – if he gets comfortable and gets into a rhythm, he’s hard to defend.”

The Riders were unable to get Mitchell to the ground last week, unable to sack the veteran.

While the team didn’t register a sack, head coach Corey Mace believes the team did find ways to get pressure.

“With Bo, he’s a really good quarterback,” Mace said.

“He understands coverage and he knows where to go with the ball so the ball can come out fairly quick. We got back there a couple of times … we either slipped or something like that.

“I know sacks are the number everybody likes to look at – and I love them more than anybody – but from a defensive pressure standpoint, you’re looking for disruption.”

The Riders will try to keep the pressure off of their own quarterback Trevor Harris this week without one of their key pieces.

Offensive guard Philip Blake (thigh) has been put on the six-game injured list. Ryan Sceviour – who joined the Riders this offseason and is a former CFL west division all-star – will start in his place. Zack Fry will come on as the team’s sixth offensive lineman.