Riders look to lock down duo of Bo Levi Mitchell and Kenny Lawler

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats aren’t only bringing a dynamic duo to Mosaic Stadium, but it’s a pair of players who have had some of their biggest games against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell has long been a thorn in the side of the green and white, playing for the rival Calgary Stampeders from 2012-22.

In his career, Mitchell has thrown for 41,879 yards, 237 touchdowns and 120 interceptions.

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Riders head coach Corey Mace, who was playing defensive line for the Stamps when Mitchell first came into the league, was the recipient of his first-ever CFL touchdown pass.

“I think looking back, we all saw what he had and I’m not shocked at the career that he has had. He’s a special talent and does a lot of really good stuff and he has been able to do it for a long time,” Mace said. “Nothing but respect for old Bo.”

This season, Mitchell is throwing to Kenny Lawler, who was a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for a few seasons. He had 177 yards and three touchdowns for the Bombers in the 2024 CFL West Final.

The Riders beat the Ti-Cats 28-23 back in Week 2, but Mitchell connected with Lawler eight times for 162 yards.

“You knew from the get-go they were eventually going to start lighting it up,” said defensive back Marcus Sayles, who was a teammate of Lawler’s in Winnipeg in 2019. “They have been balling pretty much their whole careers and it’s not something to sleep on. It was bound for them to happen.

“For us moving forward, we have to mess up his reads and get Kenny off his spot a little bit and get Bo off his spot a little bit. At the end of the day, they are both going to make their plays and they maybe are both hall of famers but at the same time, we’re a good defence and when we lock in, we’re on our stuff too.”

With other teams focusing on taking away Lawler from Mitchell in the passing game, the veteran pivot has included Tim White and Kiondre Smith a lot in the attack. Smith had 14 catches in a win over the B.C. Lions for the Ti-Cats.

So with Hamilton able to spread the ball around, it can cause some issues for the defence.

But linebacker C.J. Reavis said they are prepared for it because of all the wide receiver and slotback talent the defence practices against daily.

“I feel like we get work with it every day so when the game comes, it’s not any different for us,” Reavis said.

And Reavis is hoping to get his hands around the football a little bit more this season with only a single interception so far.

“I like being called for the blitz but as of recently, I have been wanting that ball a little bit more. Bo, if you want to throw it to me, come get me please,” Reavis said with a laugh.

Kickoff for the game against Hamilton on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium is set for 1 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 11 a.m.