Riders to debut new jerseys in showdown against Bombers

The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers will lock horns for the first time in the 2024 CFL regular season on Friday.

The Riders come in at 4-1 after suffering their first loss of the season last week against the B.C. Lions.

Meanwhile, the Bombers have shaken off a slow start to the season, improving to 2-4 with wins in back-to-back games.

Riders head coach Corey Mace knows that just because the Bombers sit below the Riders in the standings, you can’t take your foot off the gas.

“Records are non-existent in games like this. We respect our opponent and know who they are,” Mace said. “You can say whatever you want about them but that’s still the Winnipeg Blue Bombers coached by a really good coaching staff led by (quarterback) Zach Collaros.”

“We respect the opponent. We know what they are about to come in here with. We have to match it and then some.”

The Riders defence will try to limit the big plays through the air after giving up 451 yards to B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. in last week’s 35-20 loss.

Mace said that with the defence they play, they will be prone to giving up a lot of yards in the games.

“We’re very opportunistic. Everyone has their eyes on the ball, we just have to capitalize on those,” Mace said. “That being said, there were quite a few times our eyes got us in trouble so we just have to be more dialed on executing the operation.”

“It’s Zach Collaros – there’s not too much that we are going to do that he hasn’t seen in his time playing in this league.”

Saskatchewan’s defence has been ballhawks early this season. They lead the CFL with 16 turnovers and also have a league-high 11 interceptions.

Collaros leads the CFL with six interceptions thrown but is coming off his best game of the season after throwing for 344 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Riders’ defence will also need to stop the reign of the most outstanding Canadian in Winnipeg running back Brady Oliveira. Oliveira has 366 yards on the ground so far and has recorded back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, the first time he has done that in his career.

The Riders’ defence has been among the league’s best in stopping the run, averaging 47.4 yards per game.

On offence, the Riders will be dealing with one of the biggest losses of their season after right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick was injured last week. He suffered a quad injury that will need surgery and is out for the long term.

“You don’t replace a Jermarcus Hardrick. The man is not only established and well-respected not only in this locker room but across the league,” said Riders offensive line coach Edwin Harrison. “He is truly one of the best football players to ever play in this league.”

Jacob Brammer will be starting at right tackle this week, making his first career CFL start. Brammer, 25, played college football at the University of North Texas and Vanderbilt before coming to the CFL.

“We love what we saw in the preseason and loved what we saw coming out of training camp in Saskatoon. Jacob is a great pro. He prepares each and every week like he’s going to play,” Harrison said. “A tough football player – he plays with an edge and a nasty disposition.”

A big challenge awaits Brammer and left tackle Trevor Reid in trying to stop Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson.

The veteran has two sacks on the season and 70 in his CFL career.

“I don’t know if you can actually stop Willie, you can just slow him down some,” Harrison said.

The offensive line will try to keep Shea Patterson on his feet as he makes his third straight start for the injured Trevor Harris. Patterson has thrown for 511 yards, a touchdown and an interception in 2024.

“Hopefully we fill this place up. We have an incredible fan base and we want to win this one for them,” Patterson said. “We always want to defend our home.”

Riders running back A.J. Ouellette has an idea on how to slow down Jefferson.

“I try to go into the coaching offices and just be like, ‘Run at him in the first quarter.’ I don’t care if it’s second-and-12, you run directly at him, run the ball to wear him out and the pass-rush will stop pretty quick,” said Ouellette.

This week is also the first time the Riders will wear their obsidian green jerseys during a game. The new Rider alternative jerseys feature a new logo and what the team said is the darkest shade of green before it turns into black.

“I’m fired up,” Ouellette said. “I know everybody back at home is fired up too because I bought so many of them already.”

Kickoff for the game is set for 7:30 p.m.