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The CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders have to find a way to solve a 5-foot-10, 210-pound problem in Calgary on Saturday.
Calgary Stampeders running back Ka’Deem Carey has rushed for 254 yards and added an additional 89 yards as a receiver during their three-game win streak — which includes two victories over Saskatchewan.
“He’s a good running back. I think he’s the best one we’ve played this year. The offence revolves around him and if we can get him under a certain amount of yards, we will have success as a defence,” Roughriders linebacker Micah Teitz said.
“He’s fast and he’s got decent size to him. I think he’s starting to hit his stride. I don’t think he’s a superhero or anything like that, but we’ve got to bring our arms and legs into tackles and do basic wrap-up tackles like we’ve been doing things our whole lives.”
Following the Riders’ 22-19 loss to Calgary on Oct. 9 — when Carey had 109 yards on the ground and 69 yards receiving — defensive tackle Micah Johnson said Carey was a physical force.
“You’ve got to want to tackle him and if you don’t, he’s going to expose you. He’s a big guy and gets north to south fast and you’ve got to make up your mind that you want to hit him,” Johnson said after the game.
“If you don’t, I feel like he’s the type of running back who can feel that and he can see when guys don’t really want to tackle him.”
That loss now means Saturday’s game in Calgary will be for second place in the CFL’s West Division, with the Riders seeing their lead over the Stamps evaporate over the last three weeks. Kickoff for the game is set for 7:45 p.m.
Carey said he tries to run hard every play.
“I know they are going to try and tackle me hard and I know they are coming for my head and try to break me down,” Carey said. “When I feel like I’m getting more arm tackles and less direct hits and less shoulder pads hits, I can feel the defence slowing down a bit but that doesn’t slow me down a bit.”
Carey’s success on the ground wasn’t something the Riders’ defence was used to in 2021. The Riders lead the CFL by giving up only 74.2 yards a game on the ground.
Riders defensive end Jonathan Woodard said it would be a huge win for them to take away one of Calgary’s top weapons in the third and final regular-season meeting between the teams.
“They are a team that loves to run the ball and when you have a player like Carey who is an explosive runner who can make a lot of big plays, being able to stop that is going to play a big role on defence,” Woodard said.
And while Carey poses a challenge, the Riders will also need to contend with Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who had one of his best games of the season last week in a 39-10 win over the B.C. Lions. Mitchell threw for 270 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions for the first time this season.
“They’re hitting their rhythm for the year,” Teitz said. “Their first games, they would even tell you they weren’t happy with the way they played.
“We’ve always had a high respect for Calgary and any team in the West. We know they’re talented and they can play well. We’ve just got to play a complete game on defence and I think we will be good.”
Notes: Defensive end A.C. Leonard (knee/ankle) is questionable to play … Defensive back Elie Bouka (hamstring) is out, according to head coach Craig Dickenson … Strong-side linebacker Godfrey Onyeka (back) also didn’t practise and his status is in doubt … Wide receiver Shaq Evans (foot) and newly signed slotback Duke Williams are both trending towards playing.
