Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look back at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list ...
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will take on the Edmonton Elks as both teams are resting a number of starters this week for different reasons.
Edmonton has already clinched the top spot in the CFL West Division, while the Riders have clinched a playoff spot but do not know if they will be playing in the West or East semifinal. A win will see the Riders take on the B.C. Lions in Vancouver on Oct. 31. A loss would see the Riders play earlier that day in Toronto against the Argonauts.
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But Saskatchewan will be without quarterback Trevor Harris, running back A.J. Ouellette and right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick, along with a number of other starters for the contest at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff for the game is set for 1 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 11 a.m.
Jack Coan will make his first career CFL start at quarterback. Coan has been with the Riders since 2024 but has only come into games sporadically, completing 14 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown.
“Looking for him to command and go out and execute. He has been in the system for three years and has bided his time. He is here, I would argue, maybe the first or second player in the building every day. He stays as late as he has to with Trevor and he has just been waiting for an opportunity,” Riders head coach Corey Mace.
“I’m excited for his opportunity.”
Along with Coan, Brayden Schager could see some playing time as the CFL rookie as been on the reserve roster for most of this season.
At running back, Deon Jackson will get the start despite just signing with the Riders on Sept. 20. Jackson was in the NFL from 2021-25 while also playing with the DC Defenders in the United Football League. He led the UFL in rushing this past spring with 449 yards and seven touchdowns.
“It’s a great honour,” Jackson said.
“I’m excited. I haven’t played football in a minute. It has been like five months. I’m excited to play in my third professional league and first CFL game so a great atmosphere out here. I have been to a couple of home games since I have been here and I’m just excited to play in front of these Rider fans.”
The starting receivers will be intact outside of KeeSean Johnson, as he will miss this game due to an ankle injury.
On defence for the Riders, they will get back linebacker Seyi Oladipo, who has missed a few games with an ankle injury. He said this game is crucial for cleaning things up on that side of the football.
“Getting into this game was really important, especially for me personally, for the fact I haven’t played in a long time so I have to shake off the rust and I wouldn’t want my first game to be in the playoffs,” Oladipo said.
“I don’t think coaches wanted that pressure on me either, so being able to still go against a good team — whoever is rested, they are still professional athletes — so go in there and give my best and battle it out.”
The Elks have made 12 roster changes for the game as wide receiver Austin Mack, running back Justin Rankin and defensive end Malik Carney are among those resting this week. Quarterback Cody Fajardo is listed as the third-string quarterback, with Taylor Powell starting.
With the Riders coming off a win over the Montreal Alouettes last week, Mace is focused on keeping the positive momentum going.
“Just continue to push the same message we have been to this point which is certainly all we’ve talked about this week. We have a game to win, and every game we play, we are playing to win,” Mace said.
“The guys understand that and regardless of who is out there, it doesn’t matter. Everybody has been here for an extensive period of time. They know the standard; they know the expectation. They might just not have gotten an opportunity but now you get it. Let’s go out there and play Rider football and try to end this thing 1-0.”
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