Taylor Shire, Regina Leader-Post
The Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-3) are set to meet the Toronto Argonauts (5-0) for the first time this season as the two renew acquaintances in Halifax on Saturday (2 p.m., TSN) for Touchdown Atlantic.
Last year, these two teams squared off in Wolfville, N.S. for Touchdown Atlantic with the Argos winning 30-24. The loss was also the first of a three-game losing slide for the Green and White, who went on to lose 11 of their final 13 games of the season.
This year, Saskatchewan is coming in on a two-game losing skid after losing 19-9 to the B.C. Lions last week, which followed a 33-31 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Stampeders the week prior.
Now, the Riders face an undefeated Argonaut team, who beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 31-15 last week to start the season 5-0 for the first time since 1960.
“Toronto’s a good team,” said Riders’ head coach Craig Dickenson. “They’re not going to give you many cracks in their defence, but when they do, we’ve got to expose them.”
Quarterback Battle
Mason Fine will be making his second start of the season for the Riders, as he replaces the injured Trevor Harris. Last week, Fine went 31-of-40 for 278 yards and two interceptions in a losing effort.
On the other side, the Argos are led by Chad Kelly, who is the front-runner for the league’s Most Outstanding Player Award.
This year, Kelly has completed 91-of-127 passes for 1,408 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions.
Receivers returning
Receivers Brayden Lenius and Jake Wieneke will officially make their returns to the lineup after their stints on the six-game injured list.
Lenius will start in place of Mitch Picton (head) while Wieneke will take the roster spot of Kendall Watson (ribs). Both Picton and Watson have been placed on the one-game injured list.
Godber Back
The Riders will get a boost to their offensive line this week, as centre Peter Godber is set to return to the lineup after missing the last three games with a left-hand injury.
“It’s been tough,” Godber said earlier this week. “I haven’t missed a football game since before COVID, so it’s frustrating not being out there and it’s one of those things where you want to get back out as soon as possible.
“I was able to work out and do everything else besides play football. There were a few limitations to what I could do but I feel pretty good, I feel pretty healthy and well-conditioned coming back.”
Lanier II returns
The Green and White are getting a big body back along the defensive line as well, as 6-foot-6, 285-pound Anthony Lanier II will play after missing the last two games with a foot injury.
And after the Riders put together a strong defensive performance against B.C. last week, Lanier II hopes his return will spark more strong play from the group.
“Everybody has great attributes, great talent, so it’s just putting everybody into place to do what they need to do,” he said. “I’m a person who I make sure that I try and bring something out of everybody when it comes to the game.”
Lanier II’s return is good timing for the Riders as fellow defensive lineman Bryan Cox Jr. has been placed on the six-game injured list with a knee injury.
Sack attack
The Argos have given up a league-low six sacks this season compared to 23 surrendered by the Riders, which ranks second last.
On the flip side, Toronto has sacked the quarterback 17 times, compared to Saskatchewan’s 11, which is also second last in the CFL.
By the numbers
The Argos lead the CFL with 186 points scored, an average of 37.2 per game. Toronto is fourth in the CFL in points allowed with 111, an average of 22.2 per game.
Saskatchewan is second last in the CFL with 125 points for, an average of 20.8 each game, while they have given up 147 points, an average of 24.5, which ranks sixth in the league.
The Argos lead the CFL with an average of 401.1 net offence yards per game. They rank first overall in rushing yards with an average of 129.6 yards per game and second in passing yards with an average of 281.6 yards per game. Saskatchewan is in the middle of the pack in those categories.
Toronto also leads the CFL with a plus-13 turnover ratio, while the Riders are minus-three.
