Riders ready to embrace the chaos in Winnipeg

The Saskatchewan Roughriders know they are heading into a chaotic environment in Winnipeg for the West Final.

So they are embracing the chaos.

“You have to embrace these moments and opportunities to play in games like this,” said linebacker Jameer Thurman. “There’s not a lot of guys who can say they have played in those games before. You just have to enjoy the moment and seize the opportunity.”

The Riders take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday in the CFL West Division Final. Kickoff for the game is set for 5:30 p.m.

Saskatchewan is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021 when their season came to an end in Winnipeg in that year’s West Final 17-21.

While Saskatchewan is back in the playoffs, the Bombers have gone to four straight Grey Cups, winning in 2019 and 2021.

Thurman said Winnipeg has been consistent over the years, which has led to its success.

“Having the same group of guys for a long period of time, that goes a long way,” Thurman said. “That’s what we are trying to build over here — the same similar thing.”

Head coach Corey Mace said this is the sort of situation you want to be in as a player.

“As a kid, you dream of being in games like this. (Winnipeg) does a good job as a fan base as well,” Mace said. “You can’t ask for much more from a player’s standpoint. It’s going to be an awesome game.”

The Riders and Bombers met three times during the regular season, with Winnipeg emerging with a 2-1 record between the two clubs.

Saskatchewan won the first meeting between the two clubs 19-9 with Shea Patterson starting at quarterback while Trevor Harris was out with a knee injury.

Winnipeg then won the Labour Day Classic 35-33 before also winning the rematch 26-21 in Winnipeg. Saskatchewan hasn’t won a game in Winnipeg since the 2018 Banjo Bowl.

While Winnipeg has gotten the upper hand recently over the Riders, that hasn’t affected the confidence of the group.

“We talked about it (Tuesday) morning in a team meeting — everyone raised their hand if you thought we were going to be here at this point,” said running back AJ Ouellette. “Just the hard work and how we came together as brothers paid off now.”

Ouellette, who defeated the Bombers in the 2022 Grey Cup as a member of the Toronto Argonauts, is ready for whatever the atmosphere may be.

“You have to love the chaos. Embrace it and quiet it down,” Ouellette said. “That’s the best feeling ever is when you can get them to quiet down.”

Notes: Safety Jaxon Ford (knee) and offensive tackle Trevor Reid (knee) both did not practice on Wednesday. Slotback Kian Schaffer-Baker (neck), linebacker C.J. Reavis (knee) and defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. (knee) all logged full practices.