Win and you’re the division champ. It seems easy, but Saskatchewan’s opponents hope to spoil the party.
The Roughriders hope to cement themselves as the number one team in the West Division on Saturday afternoon for the start of a triple-header. A victory over Edmonton would give them the division, and a playoff bye to the Western Final on Nov. 17.
But will Saskatchewan have their starting quarterback, Cody Fajardo, in the mix? While he’s listed as the starter on their depth chart, the team is not “overly optimistic” that he’ll be behind centre because of a pulled oblique muscle.
“I was throwing 20 to 30 balls before,” Fajardo said. “I didn’t really feel anything in the oblique. Nothing, really. I threw a deep ball to my left to Manny (Arceneaux) and found myself on my knees on the ground.
“I felt like I got stabbed. It was, ‘What just happened there?’”
If Fajardo can’t play, Isaac Harker would likely take his place. The rookie quarterback has only made three appearances this season, throwing no touchdowns and a trio of interceptions. Veteran Bryan Bennett could also handle some of the snaps.
Edmonton will start Logan Kilgore once more at quarterback, leaving Trevor Harris to rest and recuperate further for the playoffs. Kilgore has four touchdown passes and 1,111 passing yards in relief of Harris in four starts this season.
“We’ve won with Logan (Kilgore, 2-2) as our starter,” Head Coach Jason Maas said “If anyone thinks we’re just starting Logan so we can go in there and bow down, they’re mistaken. Heavily mistaken. Watch how we play. That’ll be the moniker. How we go out there and finish, the season is what’s expected of our guys. Go in there and finish it strong.”
Regardless of Saturday’s outcome, Edmonton will play Montreal in the Eastern Semi-Final at Percival Molson Stadium on Nov. 10. The Eskimos are guaranteed to finish fourth in the West, leading them to the playoffs via crossover.
“We’re in the boat we’re in because we didn’t win enough games and now we’re not afforded the opportunity to fight for first or second or third,” Maas said. “At the end of the day, we’re going there with what’s best for our team and getting Trevor completely healthy for the playoffs is what’s best for our organization.
But players like receiver Greg Ellingson hope his team doesn’t take Saturday off.
“You can’t let up just because it might not mean something as far as our playoff picture,” he said. “If you let up during a game you are accessible to injuring yourself.
“If they see a game and see you slack off, maybe that’s the difference between a team wanting you or not wanting you,” he added. “Guys have plenty of things to play for besides just getting a win.”
Edmonton has Harris on the one-game injured list for Saturday’s game. The list also features running back C.J. Gable who is out with a lower back injury. Ellingson will also rest ahead of Saturday’s game. Slotback Ricky Collins Jr, fullback Alex Taylor, and kick returner Christion Jones have also been placed on the one-game injured list.
Saskatchewan will have offensive lineman Terran Vaughn back at left tackle, while defensive lineman Charbel Dabine, linebacker Gary Johnson Jr., and defensive back Blace Brown will also see time. Defensive lineman Zack Evans, linebacker Derrick Moncrief, linebacker Seun Idowu, and offensive lineman Takoby Cofield have all been moved to the injured list.
BY THE NUMBERS
1966 — That’s the only year in team history when the Riders won both their division and the Grey Cup.
13 — A victory would give the Riders that many victories this season. It would be their most since 1970, when they set a club record of 14 wins that year.
80 — Edmonton has gone 80 games without a kick return for a touchdown, dating back to 2015.
1,001 — Originally, Esks running back C.J. Gable needed three yards to reach the 1,000 yard plateau. But now, thanks to revisions, Gable has over 1,000 rushing yards for the season. It’s his second straight year with a 1,000-plus yard rushing season.
– With files from Riderville.com and Esks.com
AFI, Yare Media and the CFL
American Football International is collaborating with Yare Media and the Canadian Football League to present 2019 CFL games live. This is more than a livestream. This is a stream of the top flight TSN network television broadcast.
LIVE STREAM PPV: CFL – Edmonton Eskimos @Saskatchewan Roughriders, Sat. Nov. 2, 2p (4p ET, 9p CET )