The Saskatchewan Roughriders continue to prepare for this Saturday’s matchup against the Ottawa Redblacks.
The Riders are still not committing to kicker Brett Lauther being available on Saturday, but they have placed Gabe Ferraro on the practice roster to make room for defensive lineman A.C. Leonard.
Head Coach Craig Dickenson said with Leonard coming back, there could be some juggling on the defensive line that impacts Earl Okine.
“We’ve got a rotation going on the D-line, and we’ll see where Earl (Okine) fits in, we’ve got a couple of options on that,” Dickenson said. “We could rotate three D-lineman at end and three at (defensive) tackle, or we could go with four ends, we’re kind of waiting to see on that.”
Dickenson said while the defence played well against Montreal back on August 9th, the offence and special teams needs to step up this week.
“We didn’t do a very good on special (teams) or on offence, so that’s something that’s got to improve because I don’t think you can count on your defence scoring twice in a game.”
Looking ahead to Saturday, it’s been nine weeks since the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Ottawa Redblacks met in a thrilling 44-41 Ottawa win, and a lot has changed with both teams according to some members of the green and white.
Coming off of a bye-week and currently riding a four game win streak, the Riders are riding high and in contention in the CFL’s west, while the Redblacks have lost two straight and have stumbled to a 3-6 record.
Offensive lineman Dan Clark said his team has started to gel more since the last time these two teams met.
“We’re coming together as a complete unit; a complete team,a and it’s one of those one’s that it’s not about that slow start, it’s about having that connection, it’s about having and establishing that family in the locker room,” Clark said. “You just don’t play for the coaches, or you play for what you’re learning, you play for everybody that’s together on this field.”
The Riders host the Redblacks Saturday night at 5:00 PM. The game can be heard on 620 CKRM, the flagship of the Cooperators Roughrider Radio Network.
