Riders, Als meet in battle of divisional leaders

While the Saskatchewan Roughriders find themselves at the top of the CFL West Division, head coach Corey Mace isn’t satisfied with where they are.

“I’d probably give us a C+ or a B. We just harp so hard on being the best versions of ourselves that we’re not really satisfied with what we have put forward this year,” Mace said.

“I love that, because we all see that the same way. We’re just working day-in and day-out to improve where we feel we are weak in areas

“I’m excited to see how the season progresses from here.”

The Riders bring a 5-3-1 record into their Friday night showdown at Mosaic Stadium against the CFL-best 8-1 Montreal Alouettes. Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m.

The Riders are getting a big boost back to their lineup with the return of Trevor Harris. The quarterback has missed the past six games after suffering a knee injury back in Week 3. During that stretch, the team went 2-3-1.

Harris said he’s excited to make his return in a showdown between two of the best teams in the CFL, as well as his own former team.

“It’s fun. You want to play in the big games. This is the defending Grey Cup champions, they are 8-1, and have a young quarterback playing insanely well,” Harris said.

“I’m excited to go out there and tee it up against high-level competition. I know there’s going to be smack-talking and people telling me how old I am and stuff like that. It’s going to be fun.”

Harris was traded from Edmonton to Montreal in 2021 and spent the entire 2022 season with the Als. He signed with the Riders ahead of the 2023 season with Cody Fajardo, who had been the Riders’ starting quarterback since 2019, going to Montreal.

But Harris’ time in Saskatchewan has so far been plagued with injuries. He only appeared in eight of the 27 games the team has played since his signing, though he does have a 6-2 record as a starter.

Fajardo, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury, is listed as the backup for Davis Alexander for the game.

“There’s always a chance, but the likelihood is not very good, but you never know with a football game,” said Als head coach Jason Maas when asked if there was a chance Fajardo could play in the game. “He’s on the roster and he will be ready to play.”

Maas, who was a CFL quarterback before joining the coaching ranks, was the Riders’ offensive co-ordinator in 2021-22.

“Talking with Cody, I think he has since moved on. This would have been the last chapter closing the door coming here and playing a game. I don’t think it weighs on him at all,” Maas said. “Whenever that opportunity does come again, he will be excited about it like he is every single week.

“Will it mean more? Sure. I think sometimes when you go to places you have played before and you have memories there, it always means a little bit more for the first time.”

Alexander came into the first meeting between the two clubs at halftime, and put up 17 unanswered points to earn a 20-16 win.

“Just a lesson to be learned. We didn’t finish and didn’t play as well in the second half as we should have,” said Riders defensive lineman Micah Johnson.

“I think we came out pretty flat. I think it was a good lesson for the guys and a good lesson for us, for the team. We are ready to correct that.”

Saskatchewan’s defence has given up a lot of yards through the air – a league-worst 306 per game – but has made up for it with interceptions, leading the league with 14. Rolan Milligan Jr. is the CFL interceptions leader with six thus far.

The Riders will get back a couple of key members of their team in Friday’s game, with running back AJ Ouellette (hip), wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, and linebacker Jameer Thurman (elbow) returning to the field.

One of the more injured groups this season for the Riders has been the offensive line group, which has started 10 different players this season.

While no new player is joining the lineup Friday, a change is still being made as Logan Ferland moves from right guard to right tackle – his first time starting a game at that position. He has had to move out to tackle in-game when there have been injuries.

“Logan is very versatile. He can play all five (positions) on the O-line, which is pretty rare at the professional level,” said centre Peter Godber. “He’s having a great year. He’s a great player, and it says a lot about him.”

While the Riders are currently in first place, Harris said he believes this team still hasn’t shown what it is capable of.

“It doesn’t feel like (we’re in first place), but we are and the table is set for us,” Harris said. “We control our own destiny moving forward, and that’s all you can ask for.”