Riders prepare for Redblacks after first win in months

The Saskatchewan Roughriders can start to build off a win rather than search for one for the first time since July.

The Riders beat the Calgary Stampeders last Friday 37-29 for the Green and White’s first win since July 19 — a 19-9 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It was also the first win for the Riders post-Labour Day since 2021, going 0-14 in recent years.

“It kind of felt like we got that monkey of our back,” said linebacker Jameer Thurman, who had the game-clinching interception to end the team’s seven-game slide.

“We had been close. We felt like we were putting in the work and doing the little things all the time and we just kept falling short. Now we found a way to get that win, get back to what we were doing to start the season and try to ride that momentum into playoffs.”

While it’s the first time the Riders have been able to return to practice off a win in a couple of months, quarterback Trevor Harris said that doesn’t change how he is preparing each week.

“It’s foot on the gas, full throttle and doing everything we can to string together wins,” Harris said. “It’s not time to exhale right now, it’s the time to get to work and get to work even harder.”

Saskatchewan is preparing to host the Ottawa Redblacks in a game on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., with the game being broadcast on CTV.

The last time these two teams met, the game ended in a 22-22 tie.

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This time around, the Riders will need to prepare to take on quarterback Jeremiah Masoli with starter Dru Brown dealing with a foot injury. Masoli came into the Redblacks’ loss last week to the Montreal Alouettes and threw for 218 yards and a touchdown.

Masoli has only dressed for 13 games since he suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Riders early in the 2022 season.

“I played him last year in one of his first games back,” Thurman said. “He has been in this league a long time and he knows and has seen everything. The main thing is that rhythm with his receivers.

“He can make all the throws and everything but I think if we can get on him early, we will be able to run away with it.”

The Riders might need to face Ottawa without standout rookie receiver Ajou Ajou after he suffered a knee injury in the game last week. Fellow rookie receiver Dhel Duncan-Busby would be set to start in his place for the game.

The #Riders are back on the field today as they prepare for a showdown with the Redblacks. #CFL pic.twitter.com/kbO6gl79iW

— Britton Gray (@BrittonGray) September 24, 2024

Notes: Offensive lineman Jacob Brammer (knee) and defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II (knee) logged full practices as both appear close to returning to the lineup … Defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. is also back at practice after missing the game to be home for the birth of his daughter. … Defensive linemen Micah Johnson (back) and Caleb Sanders (back) were both limited, while defensive backs Godfrey Onyeka (foot) and C.J. Reavis (knee) did not participate.

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