With the losses mounting amidst their three-game losing streak, the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-8) are searching for answers but are not ready to hit the panic button.
The next chance for the Roughriders for a victory will come on Friday in BC (10-4) against the Lions.
Last time Saskatchewan met BC, the green and white erupted for an emotional 34-29 victory on August 20.
A win by BC would give themselves a home playoff date in November, while a victory by the Roughriders would not only move them closer to a playoff spot but also give them some much-needed momentum down the playoff stretch drive.
Defensive back C.J. Reavis feels there isn’t pressure surrounding the team but says there needs to be some urgency.
“We know we got to get a win,” said Reavis. “We just got to do our jobs, it isn’t on the coaches, it isn’t on anybody but the players, we just got to do our jobs and make our plays.”
Guard Logan Ferland thinks the team has to keep their focus from within.
“Keep the noise outside of the building, and just pay attention to the guys that have a key card to this building, those are the ones that running this organization and we need to keep focusing on ourselves and block out that outside noise as usual.”
Against the REDBLACKS last week, Saskatchewan’s offence gave up five turnovers, including a couple of costly giveaways that led to 11 quick points for Ottawa at the end of the first half. Ferland says communication is one thing that the offensive will have to improve when they face the Lions.
“It’s the whole offence, so it’s us (o-line) ID properly, it’s the backs listening to our IDs, things like that comes down to communication.”
He added there were some positives and negatives for the offence to take away from their recent outing in Ottawa.
“From an o-line perspective, we have a lot to clean up in pass protection, where as the running game was good for us, we just need to keep fixing what we need to fix and continue to get better each week.”
Defensively, stopping the run is the main focal point for the Roughriders after being torched for over 700 yards on the ground. Reavis notes that all three levels of the green and white have to rally together to create success.
“We need to get back to playing together as a unit, I think we’re not playing as a unit, trusting us, trusting ourselves.”
He added, “We all know where we’re going to be and trust that we’re going to be there.”
One change the Roughriders have made this week is moving their meetings immediately after practice. Reavis feels this will help their mental approach to the matchup against BC.
“I think this week we’re getting back to the basics. “
Practice Notebook
The green and white received some reinforcements at practice, RB Jamal Morrow, OL Philip Blake and DL Anthony Lanier II were back on the field for Tuesday’s practice.
Centre Peter Godber wasn’t practicing, but was on the field as a spectator.
Safety Jayden Dalke was back on the field for a second straight day at practice.
QB Trevor Harris was on the field, observing practice.
Other players who didn’t practice on Tuesday include, DB Trumaine Washington (finger), DB Amari Henderson (quad), DT Micah Johnson (illness).
620 CKRM will have coverage of Friday’s game beginning with Countdown to Kickoff at 5:30, the opening kickoff at 8:30.
