Riders’ focusing inwards ahead of final regular season game

The Saskatchewan Roughriders don’t know what the stakes will be come Saturday, but their weekly focus remains constant – go 1-0.

Saskatchewan take on the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff for that game is set for 5 p.m.

That game could be for first place in the CFL West Division or it could mean nothing for the Riders standings-wise.

At 1 p.m. that day, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers take on the Alouettes in Montreal. If the Bombers win that game, the Riders will be locked into second place while Winnipeg claims the top spot. If Winnipeg loses, Saskatchewan can end the season atop the west with a win.

“It would be incredible (to get first place) but it’s out of our control. We haven’t earned the right to make this game for first place. We didn’t earn that right, Winnipeg has,” said quarterback Trevor Harris after the team returned to practice following a bye week. “If they falter, we are taking all donations. We will go out there and play and do what we can do. It’s really just about us going out and focusing on executing against Calgary. It’s not about us waiting on their game. We are focused on Calgary and whatever happens, happens.”

While the stakes could be high for the Riders on Saturday, head coach Corey Mace said they are approaching this week like any other.

“We’re trying to win a game this week. We stick to what we do and try to handle business like we try to do every week. That’s the best thing we can do for this team. That’s all we can focus on,” Mace said.

The result of the game could affect how Mace rolls out his lineup and make substitutions if the game won’t mean anything in the standings.

“The main thing that we want to do it win the game but we want to find ways to get better as we get into the playoffs,” Mace said. “I told everybody to be ready to play whether it is this week or there have been situations where a guy hasn’t had many snaps and then they are starting in the Grey Cup.

“Everybody is just got to be dialed and ready to go. We will see how it goes. Everyone is preparing to play from a starting standpoint.”

If Harris had his way, he wouldn’t miss a snap this week.

“I sat enough this year. I want to play the whole game,” Harris said.

While Mace and the team will try to not focus too much on the Winnipeg game, he expects he will be told of the result quickly.

“I don’t know about watching it until after our game is done but I’m sure someone is going to tell me – I hope someone tells me something but timing-wise, it’s going to be pretty tight,” Mace said.

While the Stampeders’ season will be over no matter what the results of the weekend are, Harris and the Riders aren’t taking the opposing team lightly.

“This is pro football. It’s like when guys are trying to play in the preseason and it’s the third or fourth quarter – those guys are playing hard,” Harris said. “These guys are looking for jobs next year and securing their jobs next year. They are going to be playing hard. They are a very prideful organization and I think the longest streak of making the playoffs. These guys are going to come out with a fire.”

Notes: Defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. didn’t practice due to an illness. Mace believes he will be ready to go for the game … Defensive end Malik Carney (ankle) was limited in practice. Mace said they will see how he feels in practice and determine if he will play this week. He hasn’t played since Sept. 7 against the Bombers.