Riders not taking Tiger-Cats lightly

No matter who starts at quarterback for the Roughriders, there is no room for a letdown against the league’s basement dwelling Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Kevin Glenn is a game time decision after putting together one of his best 10 game stretches in his 17 years in the Canadian Football League. Brandon Bridge is waiting in the wings ready to take over until Glenn’s hand is better.

Or maybe the hand Glenn injured in Winnipeg last Saturday feels great this afternoon and he can continue what could be a career year.

Either way, a loss in Hamilton for the Roughriders would be a blow to the team trying to keep pace in a very strong West Division. Especially given the fact the Riders sit in fifth, and on the outside looking in, on the playoffs heading into the final eight games.

The Tiger-Cats may only be 2-8 right now, but that doesn’t make this road trip to Tim Hortons Field any less dangerous.

“We’ve been preaching that all week,” explains Riders offensive lineman Derek Dennis.

“You can’t look at records. They’re in the same position that we’re in right now. (last place) in different divisions. So regardless if they have five wins, two wins, seven wins, it doesn’t matter. Everybody is fighting to get in the playoffs so you can’t take any team lightly.”

The last time these two teams played, the Riders cruised to a 37-20 victory at Mosaic Stadium. However, the Tiger-Cats look very different and are playing much differently than back in early July.

First, they have a different coach.

June Jones took over from Kent Austin three weeks ago.

Secondly, Jeremiah Masoli took over for Zach Collaros at quarterback.

Thirdly, they have a dozen new starters than they did just a few weeks ago when June Jones took over.

“Not only Jeremiah Masoli or the changes in their coaches, I think the biggest thing that I see is their two tackles,” noted Head Coach Chris Jones.

“Their two offensive tackles have solidified their offensive front and it does seem that their receivers are running with some renewed vigour and their tailback (CJ Gable) looks like a different guy from earlier in the season.”

As for the Riders, they’re coming off a disappointing loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers that ended a three game winning streak and dropped the Riders back to fifth in the division.

Despite the uncertainty around the quarterback position this week, the Riders aren’t lacking confidence.

But if the Riders can’t look beyond the record, their head coach knows what’s going to happen.

“If not, there’s going to be some hurt feelings I can tell you that because they didn’t win the last two games because the other teams were bad,” said Jones.

Kickoff is 5 p.m. on TSN. The Green Zone 10 hour game day coverage begins at 1 p.m. on 980 CJME and 650 CKOM.

Notes:

• Roughriders receiver Duron Carter has scored a touchdown is six straight games. A touchdown against the Tiger-Cats at Carter would break the Roughriders record. He’s currently tied with Weston Dressler and Hugh Campbell.
• The Roughriders have never won at Tim Hortons Field, with a 0-3 record.
• Hot starts for the Riders have helped them win three of their last four, outscoring opponents 60-10 in the first quarter over their last four games.
• The Riders better be ready to stop the run as Hamilton ran the ball 18 times last week, a new season high and eight carries more than their season average of 10 through the first half of the season