Emotion, energy, execution: Riders prepare for Stamps showdown

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have a plan ahead of this week’s pivotal showdown.

“Emotion, energy and execution – those are the three Es that (head coach Craig Dickenson) wants us to put emphasis on this week,” explained quarterback Jake Dolegala.

“I think each guy needs to look at themselves individually and see where they can improve, and go from there.”

Saskatchewan heads to Calgary on Friday to take on the Stampeders, with a chance to punch their ticket to the CFL playoffs on the line. If the Riders win, they clinch a spot in the postseason. If Calgary wins, the Stamps would own the head-to-head tiebreaker and remain in control of their own fate heading into the final two weeks of the 2023 season.

Kickoff for the game at McMahon Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.

“We’re steering the ship of our own destiny,” Dolegala said. “We win this week and we’re in, and that’s just what we got to do.”

The Riders (6-10) have lost their past five games and haven’t won an away game since a 29-26 win over the Stamps on June 24.

This will be the first time Dolegala will take on Calgary this season after he took over starting duties following injuries to Trevor Harris (knee) and Mason Fine (hamstring). While Dolegala won his first two starts, he has also been the starter throughout the team’s recent skid.

The quarterback said the recent run of losses doesn’t have much to do with what other teams are doing, and just comes down to the Roughriders executing plays as a group.

“Guys are open – got to get them the ball, have to catch the ball,” Dolegala said. “We’re running the ball good now, so we have to keep that up.”

That same mindset is present on the defensive side, as the Riders have given up big plays over the five-game losing streak, including in last week’s 38-13 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“I’m basically new again,” said defensive back Deontai Williams, who returned to the lineup last week after being out for about a month with a hamstring injury.

“You have to create that bond again and see how I like to play and see how others like to play,” he added.

When it comes to the team’s recent issues, Williams said the problems are simple enough for the team to overcome.

“It was just simple execution and simple communication that we can fix,” Williams said.

“Everything that went wrong in that game is stuff that we can fix … It’s more like how bad do you want it. We have to be on the same page and do stuff extra (during) practice and watch extra film together.”

Notes: Riders linebacker Derrick Moncrief will not play in the game due to a shoulder injury.