Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace says he had a good night’s sleep while thinking about whether or not to give quarterback Trevor Harris a full week off ahead of a playoff push. Ultimately, he decided to rest his veteran pivot. For a second straight day, Harris observed team practice but did not participate. Mace joked he had to hide Harris’ equipment. “I slept on it,” the coach said Wednesday following the previous day’s comments. “Slept pretty good; had a good night’s sleep and no, we’re going to let Jack [Coan] spin it.” Mace said Tuesday his team still had not fully decided if Harris was going to get the week off, knowing Saturday’s tilt with the Edmonton Elks still had playoff implications and the Riders had things to work on. Instead, he confirmed Wednesday backup Jack Coan will make his first CFL start under centre. “[The conversation] went as you’d expect,” Mace said. “Trevor is a competitor, he definitely didn’t not want to play. That’s why you love him but I think deep, deep down he understands.” With Saskatchewan since 2024, Coan is in the midst of his fourth professional season – third with the Riders. The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish pivot has suited up for 40 games in three seasons but has thrown a pass in just three of them – including in Week 19 on the road against Montreal, completing two passes for 15 yards in one series of work. However, Mace also said short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens, and Brayden Schager – who has spent all season on the reserve roster – may also see time in the pocket. “We’ll see off of game flow,” Mace added. “We’ve given reps to Schager this week as well.” In a similar situation at the end of last season, where the Riders had clinched first in the West, Mace had both then backup Jake Maier and Coan play in various situations to end the season. “It’s kind of been par for the course since I’ve been around,” Mace said about teams around the league often resting stars down the stretch. “Teams have to be in a certain situation to do so; some will rest more than others. But for us, making that decision there makes sense.” Quarterback may also not be the sole position getting rest. KeeSean Johnson also did not practice Wednesday for a second-straight day, while running back A.J. Ouellette was limited again. Saskatchewan used Quali Conley, Thomas Bertrand-Hudon and even fourth-stringer Deon Jackson in the backfield along other starters. Conley has played nine games this season, rushing for 396 yards. Bertrand-Hudon has been used in a variety of situations, including offence and special teams. While Jackson was signed by Saskatchewan Sept. 20 after spending three seasons – 28 games – in the NFL between Indianapolis, Cleveland and New York Giants. He also spent time with the New York Jets and Detroit Lions. “I wouldn’t expect the full onslaught of a punch of people,” said Mace. “But there’s going to be three or four guys but we’ll see. I have another night sleep.”
