REGINA - It鈥檚 only Week 6 of the 2023 CFL season, and yet the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders are preparing for a game with possible playoff implications.
The 3-1 Riders host the 1-3 Stampeders at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, and a Saskatchewan victory will give them the regular-season series.
The Riders slipped past the Stampeders 29-26 in overtime on June 24 in Calgary. Saskatchewan head coach Craig Dickenson said his players are aware of the ramifications heading into Saturday鈥檚 contest.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a big game early in the season and I think our guys know it," said Dickenson. "I鈥檓 sure the coach for Calgary has been emphasizing it to his guys as well. We try to focus on improving each week and playing better each week, but our guys know that if we win this game that we鈥檒l have a leg up on Calgary for sure."
Riders starting quarterback Trevor Harris isn鈥檛 putting much stock the playoff angle for the contest.
"It鈥檚 been mentioned but again, if it takes that for you to motivate yourself to play in a professional football game, then shame on you," he said. "I鈥檝e been more focused on the process, just grinding through the week and doing the best to get prepared."
Although the Riders have started off with three victories in their first four games, there are detractors who believe Saskatchewan isn鈥檛 as strong as its record indicates. Two of Saskatchewan鈥檚 victories have been over the 0-6 Edmonton Elks, including an uninspiring 12-11 decision on July 6.
Yet despite a rash of injuries and less than stellar play at times, the Riders have managed to find a way to win close games. Their three victories have been by a combined eight points.
Dickenson feels that strong veteran leadership has led to the ability to win tight games. Harris, who is an important part of that leadership group, agrees.
鈥淚 think that it鈥檚 something that鈥檚 learned. I think that it鈥檚 a belief thing," said Harris. 鈥淲hat we can take away is that we鈥檙e not the team that we鈥檙e going to be right now, not even close. But the fact that we鈥檙e able to do that while we鈥檙e really banged up with a lot of starters out has instilled a lot of belief in the guys in this locker room.
鈥淭o me, it鈥檚 competence, character, and connection. You鈥檒l hear me talk about that a lot . . . I think we have a good player-led group. The players love each other and we鈥檙e doing a good job sticking together.鈥
The Stampeders, coming off a 24-11 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 7, are trying to find a way to get back on the winning track. Dave Dickenson, Calgary鈥檚 general manager and head coach, is working with a younger roster this season and he understands the importance of not letting the season get away from them.
鈥淭he urgency鈥檚 there. I still feel like we鈥檙e not just clicking. It鈥檚 not going to be like overnight. We鈥檙e going to have to keep working and working,鈥 said Dave Dickenson. 鈥淭he main thing is to believe in the process, believe in your teammates and believe in yourself as well and go and try to make some plays.鈥
Veteran receiver Reggie Begelton agrees that the Stampeders have to turn things around.
鈥淲e need a 鈥榃鈥 under our belt. If we want to get where we want to go, we鈥檝e got to start winning games. It all starts off with this one here,鈥 said Begelton.
The third and final game of the season series between the teams is set for Oct. 13 in Calgary.
TACKLING TERROR: Linebacker Micah Awe, signed as a free agent by the Stampeders in the offseason, leads the CFL with 37 defensive tackles in four games. Awe, who has played previously with the B.C. Lions, Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Redblacks and Montreal Alouettes, is in his eighth CFL season. He needs 12 tackles to reach the 300 mark for his career.
LETTING IT FLY: Harris needs 231 passing yards to become the 19th player in CFL history to reach the 30,000 yard mark. In his eighth CFL season, Harris has made 100 career starts with a career record of 51-47-2.
POUNDING THE BALL: Saturday鈥檚 game features the top two players in the punting average category. Saskatchewan鈥檚 Adam Korsak leads the league with an average of 50.9 yards per punt while Calgary鈥檚 Cody Grace is second with an average of 50.7 yards per punt. Both punters are from Australia.
This report by 好色tvwas first published July 14, 2023.
