Murray Wood: Who's hot and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look at the week's news and decides who's hot and who's not. This week's list includes...
The Saskatchewan Roughriders head to Hamilton today looking to earn a second win to start the 2025 campaign.
Saskatchewan defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 31-26 to open the year but now take on the Ti-Cats, who are looking to rebound after a loss to the Calgary Stampeders.
“They are going to be a fired-up bunch. They didn’t play how they wanted to play. I think you watch the game and they had some opportunities slip away,” said Riders quarterback Trevor Harris, who threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
“It’s going to be a fun one and I know it’s the first road test for us, and we are going to be fired up too.”
Read more:
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- The Blitz podcast with Jamie Nye and Britton Gray
Harris has played in Hamilton many times and knows the type of challenges the crowd can present for teams at Hamilton Stadium, previously Tim Horton’s Field.
“They are a passionate fan base and they really come out and make it difficult for you when you go in the Doughnut Box, and it’s a fun environment to play in,” Harris said.
“I know they have a very talented roster, too, so it’s going to be a fun one. I know the crowd is going to make it tough on us but we are excited for the challenge.”
Defensive end Malik Carney spent three seasons in Hamilton to start his CFL career.
“It’s a tough environment. I know the fans will be loud and doing their thing and cheering and booing,” Carney said.
Coming into the week, Carney is leading the league in sacks after he recorded a pair against the Ottawa Redblacks. His two sacks, along with linebacker Jameer Thurman’s and defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado’s, meant the Riders got to the quarterback the most in Week 1.
The Ti-Cats did not surrender a sack last week.
“I know they are a physical team up front and I know we’re a physical team up front so it’s going to be a physical battle, and I know that we are coming after them,” Carney said.
Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell will look to bounce back after the loss to Calgary. In that defeat, last year’s East Division Most Outstanding Player had 304 yards and a single touchdown.
Riders head coach Corey Mace, who was a teammate of Mitchell’s in Calgary, has a lot of respect for the opposing pivot.
“He’s a walking Hall of Famer. There’s not a lot of stuff he hasn’t seen,” Mace said.
“You have to be on it not only as a play-caller but the players have to be on it defensively or he is going to expose you.”
One piece of good news for the club is that defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. will be able to play in the game. The reigning CFL most outstanding defensive player left Week 1 early and was in concussion protocol. He has been cleared to play in the game.
Linebacker C.J. Avery has been put onto the six-game injured list. A.J. Allen will start in his place.
On offence, wide receiver Sam Emilus will look to build off a solid Week 1 performance, where he had 133 yards and a touchdown.
The Riders’ defensive backfield will be busy trying to slow down the receiving duo of Tim White and the newly signed Kenny Lawler. Lawler received 13 targets in his first game in Hamilton last week.
Another goal from the Riders will be to shut down the rushing attack of Hamilton, much like they did against Ottawa. Redblacks rusher William Stanback did have a touchdown but only 26 yards on nine carries. Hamilton rusher Greg Bell only mustered 14 yards on eight carries against the Stampeders.
Riders defensive tackle Micah Johnson said it’s important to make a team (like the Ti-Cats) one-dimensional.
“This is one of the proudest groups I have been around when it comes to the run game. It showed up last year and it will continue to show this year,” Johnson said.
On offence, the Riders could deploy a two-headed monster of a rushing attack.
Starter AJ Ouellette was cleared from concussion protocol for the game, and backing him up will be veteran Ka’Deem Carey.
Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Ka’Deem Carey will make his season debut on Saturday. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)
Carey, who was an East Division all-star last season, was released by the Toronto Argonauts after training camp and signed with the Riders on Monday. He was put onto the depth chart due to an injury to Thomas Betrand-Hudon.
“I think everyone understands the kind of player he is,” Mace said earlier in the week. “He’s won championships. You can’t have too many people like that in the building who can push the message of what it looks like to win.
“This is a place he wants to be. In that situation, I think that speaks volumes to what it is he believes we have going on here and him understanding the process of it all and not being afraid to help this team get to where we want to go.”
Another change on offence this week comes on the offensive line. Guard Jacob Brammer returns to the lineup after missing last week due to a back injury.
Canadian Daniel Johnson will start at left tackle after being the team’s sixth offensive lineman last week. He was thrust into the starting lineup after rookie Payton Collins suffered an injury.
“It was awesome knowing the whole year I put in last year and trying to get my body back is working out and working to my benefit,” Johnson said.
“It’s a new team so a different game. We have different things to work on — Ottawa was a physical team, whereas Hamilton has more movement.”
Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.
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