The Saskatchewan Roughriders are taking advantage of a long week for their on-field preparation prior to Sunday’s 59th Labour Day Classic against Winnipeg.

The Riders lost 20-19 in Toronto last week which wrapped up six games in a 34-day span. That intense schedule didn’t afford an opportunity for extra practice time. Through 11 regular season games in 2024, Saskatchewan sits at 5-5-1 which puts the Riders first in the West division, despite not winning since July 19.

“It’s very weird. I have never really been in a situation like this where we feel like we are not playing to our standard yet. A lot of teams would be in panic mode based on the situation of everything going on in the West,” head coach Corey Made said.

“We don’t necessarily have to say it’s panic mode, but we do have to start putting our feet to the fire. We’re out there, we’re getting after it.”

The Riders play six of their final seven games against West Division opponents and the team holds its playoff fate in their own hands.

To emphasize the Labour Day Classic importance, Mace invited former Rider stars to motivate the team on Tuesday.

“We had some alumni come in, (Gene) Makowsky, (Wes) Cates, Chris Getzlaf and (Scott) Schultz came and spoke to the team this morning. Understanding what it is, what it means to this province, and what it means to play against the Bombers on Labour Day. We’ve set the stage for that.”

The Roughriders host the Blue Bombers in the sold out 59th Labour Day Classic on Sunday, September 1 at Mosaic Stadium.