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The 60th chapter of the historic Labour Day Classic rivalry between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers is set to be written.
The historic CFL rivalry showdown will get underway at Mosaic Stadium with kickoff set for 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.
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Saskatchewan does hold the edge in the historic rivalry, holding a 38-21 record at the games in Regina. But the Bombers have won three of the past four Labour Day Classics between the two clubs.
Ahead of the game, members of the Riders have been shown a video of the history of the game.
Head coach Corey Mace said they showed the video to the players out of respect to the fanbase.
“I just wanted the guys to understand how much this game means to this fanbase and ultimately allow them to reflect and have the gratitude that they get to go out and represent this province in the battle of the prairies, so to speak,” Mace said.
“What an opportunity and what an environment. It’s the best one in the country so it’s pretty cool.”
One player who has been on both sides of the rivalry is Riders offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick. Hardrick’s first career start came against the Bombers in the Labour Day Classic as a member of the Riders in 2015.
Hardrick then signed with the Bombers in 2016 where he would remain until 2023. He rejoined the Riders in the 2024 off-season.
“Since I have been in the league, this has meant a lot to the league and meant a lot to both teams and both these fanbases,” Hardrick said. “Just love the love we are getting from the fanbase.”
When he was playing with the Bombers, Hardrick said it was “mayhem” on the field being the opposing team in the stadium.
“You can barely hear anything, and the fans here love on their team hard,” Hardrick said. “You hear it on Labour Day.”
Hardrick will line up against one of his best friends in the league in Winnipeg defensive end Willie Jefferson. Jefferson is having another great season for the Bombers, recording a league-leading 11 pass knockdowns.
“Willie is a worker, just from being with Willie the six or seven years I was there. Willie was the first one in and the last one to leave,” Hardrick said.
“My kids call him uncle, so me and Willie are close. It’s weird going against somebody who I really love.
“We still have been talking — it’s weird we still talk all the time and are about to go against each other but looking forward to it. I’ve got the green on.”
The Riders’ offensive line has been solid throughout most of the season despite surrendering four sacks last week in a loss to the Calgary Stampeders. Saskatchewan’s 15 sacks surrendered is tied for the third-fewest given up in the CFL.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive line will look to put pressure on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ offence, as well as stop their rushing attack. (Saskatchewan Roughriders/Submitted)
On offence, the Riders have added Ajou Ajou to the active roster as a backup to Tommy Nield. Ajou recently re-signed with the Riders after being cut by the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts and clearing waivers.
The passing attack by the Riders will also look to take advantage of a young Bombers secondary this week. Due to injuries, CFL rookies Trey Vaval and Cam Allen are starting at defensive back and safety, respectively.
Despite their lack of CFL experience, Riders quarterback Trevor Harris knows you can’t underestimate them.
“They’ve all played ball over there before,” Harris said.
“Young, old, experienced or inexperienced, (defensive co-ordinator) Jordan Younger knows what he is doing over there. I might age myself a little bit, but he was a teammate of mine in 2012 … He is being coached by an elite guy over there.
“I know those guys will be dialled and ready to play, and know what they are doing.”
Another battle to keep an eye on in the game will be the Winnipeg rushing attack against the Riders’ rushing defence. Winnipeg leads the CFL with an average of 119.1 yards per game on the ground, while the Riders surrender the fewest rushing yards per game (76.3).
That Winnipeg rushing attack is led by the reigning Most Outstanding Player Brady Oliveira, who has become a threat in the receiving game as well, with 23 catches over his past three games.
“The amount of respect that we have for Brady and that offensive line and what they have been able to do not just this year, but for multiple years, it’s a challenge that a defensive front and a defence as a whole you want to stand up to,” Mace said.
Two of Winnipeg’s top receiving targets are playing in this game, with Nic Demski and Dalton Schoen both dressing.
“You sit and wait for Demski to slow down. He ain’t listening. He’s been playing outstanding this year and he is a tough joker, a super competitor. With Schoen, any time he has been out there when he was healthy, you have to pay attention. He can do a lot of things for that team,” Mace said.
While Harris said he is going to approach the Labour Day Classic like any other game, he doesn’t want to diminish how big the game is for the fans and the CFL.
“We know it’s a gigantic game. There are more eyeballs on the TV and we know the excitement that comes with this time of year and this game, and how much this game means to the people in this province,” Harris said.
“Whenever people see me out in public, they let me know.”
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