After assembling one of the top rushing attacks throughout the 2022 season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders may be forced to think outside of the box when they’re devising their running scheme this week when they meet the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Kienan LaFrance’s name will likely appear on the top of the depth chart when it’s released, with Shaun Wilson’s name listed below. What role the newcomer to the Rider backfield will play remains to be seen. Wilson has been slowed down by a groin injury in practice and Riders head coach, Craig Dickenson is hoping that Wilson will be able to play on Friday as the Riders would prefer to have multiple running backs at their disposal against the first place Bombers.
An alternative source for a ground attack that the Riders offence may have to turn is their wide receivers. Dickenson says Kian Schaffer-Baker and Kyran Moore are a couple of guys that may have to chip in with rushing yards.
“We’ve handed off to Schaffer-Baker a few times and we got “Swerve” (Kyran Moore) back there too, we’ll find a way to run the football one way or the other.”
So far in the 2022 season, Schaffer-Baker has rushed for 66 yards with nine carries but the wide receiver had three carries in the Riders last game against Edmonton on September 16. The idea to use the Canadian receiver in the backfield according to Dickenson was something that offensive coordinator Jason Maas picked up when he watching the NFL’s original “Wideback.”
“I think he watched Deebo Samuel from the (San Francisco) 49ers, the receiver that played some running back. ” He added “It’s just a nice changeup to be able to bring in especially like a receiver like Schaffer-Baker that’s got good run after the catch ability anyways.”
Whether it’s a jet sweep or a end reverse, Moore feels that he and the other receivers have no problem getting involved the Riders running game.
“It’s good to show our receiver core and what we can do cause I feel like that we are one of the best in the league and I feel like this is a great time to show it.”
With four games under his belt after returning from a serious ankle injury from late last season, Moore feels that he is beginning to hit his stride as the green and white head down the stretch drive. The two best games for the 26 year old this season have been against the Blue Bombers. At the Labour Day Classic, he had seven receptions for 58 yards, while the following week Moore had six catches for 56 yards.
It looked like Duke Williams was set to return to the lineup after practicing at the beginning of the week. On Wednesday, Williams did not practice, Dickenson said the receiver’s previous ankle injury flared up once again and they decided to sit him out for Wednesday’s practice and they will re-evaluate the receiver before the game on Friday.
The final matchup between the Riders and Blue Bombers on Friday can be heard on 620 CKRM, Countdown to Kickoff begins at 3:00, the opening kickoff with Michael Ball is scheduled for 6:00.
