Roughriders, Elks set for CFL clash after emotional week

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are preparing to take on the Edmonton Elks on Thursday after what has been an emotional week for the team.

On Saturday, the day before the CFL club was set to return to practice, linebacker Jayden Dalke was killed in a car crash that also took the life of 22-year-old Bhishma Rajyaguru.

Read more:

• Rolan Milligan back for Riders in showdown against Elks
• Saskatchewan Roughriders mourn the loss of teammate Jayden Dalke
• ‘You have to keep going’: Riders learn from the past as they grieve

On Monday, the RCMP released information indicating Dalke had been driving north in the southbound lane on Highway 11 between Regina and Lumsden. Officers found alcohol and cannabis in Dalke’s vehicle, but a toxicology report has not yet been completed.

Prior to the anthem on Thursday, a special pre-game ceremony will recognize and remember both Dalke and Rajyaguru.

Saskatchewan cancelled its practice on Sunday before returning to the field the rest of the week to prepare for the game.

“It’s been a lot. It’s been a whirlwind of a week, as I’m sure everyone can understand,” quarterback Trevor Harris said on Wednesday.

“First and foremost, thoughts and prayers out to the Dalkes and the other gentleman’s (family) whose life was taken. It’s been a heavy week, but we also know we have a job to do, and we know what Jayden would like us to do. We’ve kind of alluded to it all week.

“There’s been a great spirit about this team this week, in terms of what we need to go out and do and accomplish. We are playing a good football team, so what’s on our mind in terms of the game is playing against a great football team. It’s going to be a battle. Mark Killam has done a tremendous job over there as a coach. You can tell he’s got those guys believing in him and believing in them.”

The Saskatchewan offence features the dynamic wide receiver trio of Sam Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker and KeeSean Johnson, who have accounted for 1,314 of the team’s 1,629 passing yards, which works out to 81 per cent.

“I feel like I have been with these guys in the same huddle for a number of years now, and we know what to expect with one another. With that, our expectations grow,” Harris said.

“It’s not like I see them go for a certain amount of yards and it’s like, ‘OK, we are good now.’ It’s always how can we elevate the ceiling and it’s how those guys are built and how I am built.”

Thursday’s contest will feature two of the top teams in the CFL West Division through the first seven weeks of the season. Saskatchewan comes into the contest with a 4-1 record, while the Elks are sporting a 5-1 record.

“It felt different last year. We got the right people in the building. I know a lot of people outside of the organization that are surprised by what we are doing, but we put a foundation in last year in the last half of the season, and this is something that was expected,” said Elks running back Justin Rankin, who is currently on pace to become the first CFL player to have 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. He currently has 522 yards on the ground while adding 343 yards in the passing game.

That type of ability is something that the Riders’ defence will need to be ready for.

“Just disciplined football. I know that’s the boring side. You want to get into schematics and different things like that, but it’s honestly disciplined football. He’s a back that can make you pay every time you pop your gap or are out of your gap,” said Riders’ defensive line coach Micah Johnson.

“He can do it in a multitude of ways. It’s one thing that you’re worried about when they are handing the ball to him, and then the next thing they get to the screen game or outlets where he’s getting out of the backfield and catching the ball.”

The Elks are led by former Riders’ quarterback Cody Fajardo, who has thrown for 1,781 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions. Fajardo has also managed 70 pass attempts this season without throwing an interception.

“He helps them exude confidence and helps them win games. You can see the confidence come from him and go to the other guys,” linebacker Josh Woods said.

Two of the top defences in the CFL will also go head-to-head on Thursday. The Elks have given up an average of just 23 points per game this season, while the Riders only surrendered an average of 26 points per game.

Saskatchewan will get back a big part of its defence this week as Rolan Milligan Jr. returns to the lineup. The defensive back has been out since the team’s first game with a shoulder injury.

“We’re happy to have him back,” Riders head coach Corey Mace said.

“When he ended up going down and getting the news that it wasn’t going to be super long-term, that was good for us and good for him. Happy as ever to have him back. It’s been a good week of practice for him, and I know he has been itching to get back out there with his brothers.”

Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 5 p.m.