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The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers are getting set for one of their biggest regular-season meetings.
The 56th edition of the Labour Day Classic will be the first time since 1954 that the Roughriders (6-3) and Blue Bombers (8-2) are the two top teams in the CFL’s West Division. Kickoff at Mosaic Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
“I think with both teams playing well, it gives (the game) a little more gusto,” Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson said earlier in the week.
“I think (the Labour Day Classic) is just a celebration of football in the Prairies and I think that’s what makes this game special. The people in Saskatchewan and Manitoba just love football.”
Saskatchewan has enjoyed an advantage in the win column over the history of the annual game. The Roughriders are 36-19 in the series and have won 13 of the past 14. The games often come down to the final moments of the game, with 29 Labour Day Classics being decided in the final three minutes of play.
Despite the Roughridersʼ historical advantage in the game, Dickenson said he doesn’t think it means anything ahead of their Sunday meeting.
“Youʼve still got to play them,” Dickenson said. “We know it’s going to be a tough game. Winnipeg’s going to come out loaded and ready to go and we will have to play well to beat them.”
The Roughriders are coming in on a five-game winning streak and haven’t lost since a 37-10 loss to the Calgary Stampeders on July 6. Meanwhile, Winnipeg comes in on its own three-game winning streak, including a 34-18 win over the Edmonton Eskimos on Aug. 23 — that was the first start of the season for quarterback Chris Streveler with Matt Nichols (undisclosed) being put on the six-game injured list. The Blue Bombers will also be without star running back Andrew Harris, who will miss two games after being suspended for testing positive for a banned substance.
The Roughriders’ defence has been enjoying a run of dominance over its past four games, holding each of its opponents to less than 20 points.
The defence will also be getting back another piece of its puzzle with defensive lineman Micah Johnson set to return to the lineup. He has missed the team’s past two games with a high ankle sprain.
“It definitely makes being away easier when the teamʼs doing a great job,” Johnson said. “Iʼm so happy and so proud watching (the defence) ball. I just want to come out and be a part of it.”
Johnson expects the Labour Day game to be a physical one.
“Youʼve got to have the right mindset that it’s going to be a physical game and you’re going to come out and hit people,” Johnson said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to doing and I’m sure a lot of the other guys are too.”
Another return will happen during the game; defensive end Willie Jefferson is coming back to face the team he spent the last three seasons with. Jefferson’s best season with the Green and White came in 2018 when he registered 10 sacks, two interceptions and two touchdowns.
Jefferson signed with the Blue Bombers in February. He said he expects a mixed reaction when he takes the field as a member of the Blue Bombers.
“I’m expecting to hear a lot of boos just because I’m in a different-coloured jersey this year, but I’m expecting to hear a lot of cheers when plays are made,” Jefferson said.
This will be the first time Jefferson and Roughriders offensive tackle Thaddeus Coleman will meet as members of opposing teams. Jefferson and Coleman were both members of the Eskimos before both coming to Saskatchewan in 2016.
“It’s going to be fun,” Jefferson said. “We won a Grey Cup together (in 2015). (Coleman’s) a great player and it’s going to be a test.”
Jefferson has been one of the league’s most dominant players over the past month, earning him the CFL top performer award for August. His best game came against the Eskimos on Aug. 23 when he sacked quarterback Trevor Harris three times, forced two fumbles and recovered one.
Roughriders quarterback Cody Fajardo knows the offence will need to find a way to stop Jefferson.
“He’s a game-wrecker,” Fajardo said. “I’m going to know where he’s at at all times while on the field, but I have confidence in our offensive line.”
The Roughriders’ offensive line has been one of the team’s strengths during the season, despite injuries to the unit. It has allowed the second-fewest number of sacks (12) in 2019. The group has also led the way for the Roughriders’ ground game, which leads the league in rushing touchdowns (17).
Fajardo expects Sunday’s game to be another thrilling chapter in the historic rivalry.
“It really doesn’t matter what the records are — in any rivalry game — you know it’s going to be a slugfest,” Fajardo said.
The Green Zone pre-game show gets underway at 11 a.m.
Notes: Slotback Cory Watson (knee) has been added to the six-game injured list. Wide receiver Justin McInnis will start in his place for the Labour Day Classic.
The Roughridersʼ depth chart can be found here:
