Riders use Green and White day scrimmage to prepare for 1st preseason game

The Saskatchewan Roughriders used Green and White Day to log some more practise prior to the team’s first preseason game.

The Riders spent the first hour of on-field activities running a practice at SMF Field in Saskatoon similar to what they have been doing throughout camp thus far.

The team didn’t elect to do a full game as expected in previous years due to the team playing its first preseason game on Monday at Mosaic Stadium against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Kickoff for the game is set for 2 p.m.

“I love the support that came out and I’m glad we came out and put on some today. We’re looking at Monday to make sure we have guys healthy and ready to go,” said head coach Corey Mace. “There are things we have to clean up on and we did have a bit of a wind today – I love that. I love those elements and those aspects because this is where we play.

“On defence, we have to clean some stuff up – we’re looking at certain things and coverages so-to-speak we can be tighter on.”

Not only was it good practice for the players, but for Mace and his coaching staff as well – it was the first time they had the headsets on and had plays coming in from the booth.

“Getting the communication down and even some of the stuff where we had some scripted plays and some live plays and just try to make it as realistic as possible for a game so that our communication is as sharp as possible,” Mace said. “It was a good experience.”

On the first drive, after a six-yard completion between Trevor Harris and Sam Emilus, Jayden Dalke intercepted the veteran quarterback for a pick-six.

“I thought I would be a little more antsy to feel whatever it is with the contact or taking a hit. I was nervous I would be nervous taking team reps or feel things around my feet but I haven’t felt that way,” said Harris, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last season. “I’m just ready to go out there and play some ball.

Mason Fine would take over the quarterback duties on the next drive.

The four-year CFL veteran completed five of eight pass attempts for about 48 yards but the drive stalled and there was a turnover on downs.

Geronimo Allison caught three of the passes for 33 yards on the drive.

Defensive back Kosi Onyeka nearly picked off Fine while Antoine Brooks Jr. had a knockdown at the line of scrimmage.

Harris came back into the scrimmage to hand the ball off twice to AJ Ouellette and completing one pass before Antonio Pipkin came into the scrimmage.

Pipkin just handed the ball off to Frankie Hickson in his short appearance.

Shea Patterson entered the game, throwing one incompletion before a couple handoffs to Thomas Betrand-Hudon.

Jack Coan handed the ball off three times to Clint Ratkovich.

After that, the team went off into pass skeleton and offensive versus defensive line drills.

When the scrimmage resumed, Harris was once again in as the pivot.

He completed all three of his pass attempts for about 46 yards on the drive. Patterson came in and led the offence the rest of the way which ended in a five-yard touchdown run by Bertrand-Hudon.

The next drive saw Pipkin once again take over the offence and had one of the biggest plays of the day – a completion to Allison for about 30 yards.

After the game, players stuck around to meet the fans and sign autographs for them – something Harris enjoys doing.

“It’s always great meeting the fans and seeing the community that owns this team, supports this team and really drives the greatest fan base in all of Canada,” Harris said. “It’s always a good time even if it’s just 20 or 30 minutes to interact with the fans and just see how they are doing.

“Some people share stories with how they are hurting – they are donating a ball for a kidney transplant and just find out the name of the person and be able to pray for them.

“Just little things like that and be able to do those things – they are kind of the most important things to me. Just look at them in the eye and let them know we appreciate them and thank them for coming out.”