Kickoff delayed as Rider back-ups wait for chance to prove themselves in preseason finale

Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace looks down during the first half of CFL football action in Regina, on Sunday, June 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace has decided to sit the majority of his starters for Friday preseason finale at home against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“[We] want to have all your guys playing for home games but for us too, we want to make sure we’re healthy going into week one,” Mace told reporters after Thursday’s team walkthrough. “We are on a quick turnaround after [Friday’s] preseason game and getting ready for the Thursday game after that. It did definitely have something to play.”

Among Rider regulars not even dressing are Trevor Harris, A.J. Ouellette, Samuel Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker and Logan Ferland on offense. C.J. Reaves, Rolan Milligan Jr., Jameer Thurman, among others will also remain on the sidelines not in uniform.

“Saying that, we’re still trying to formulate the back end of the roster,” Mace added. “[There are] an unbelievable amount of reps for guys to make those decisions tough for [the coaching staff]. It played out healthy for us.”

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With Harris out of the lineup Friday evening, newly acquired back-up quarterback Jake Maier will get the start.

Maier was moved to Saskatchewan via a trade Dec. 23, 2024 after he spent four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders.

“We have a pretty good plan for how we want to approach this next preseason game,” the pivot said Thursday. “There’s no excuses for us. We’re at home. We should feel really good about our plan.”

Maier entered last week’s preseason game in Winnipeg with about seven minutes remaining in the second quarter, playing five series.

He would throw eight completions on 13 attempts for 80 yards while throwing one interception in what would be a 15-9 loss for Saskatchewan.

“Anybody playing in [Friday’s] preseason game, the outcome absolutely matters,” Maier said. “It’s how you earn a job in this league. I’ve never really believed in playing in any sort of competition or game and not feeling like the winning or losing aspect doesn’t matter now.”

Friday’s matchup will also serve as one of the best chances for roster bubble players to prove themselves to the Rider coaching staff.

“We always make the decision what we feel is best for the team,” Mace said. “We just want to see them go out there and execute.”

With the high of getting the opportunity, also comes the potential low for some players as the team will make their final roster cuts Saturday.

“It’s the unfortunate part of the business and you hate to see it,” Mace added. “We just want to make these guys understand how much we appreciate the effort. There is an opportunity. What we’ve seen all the time is, it might not be us, but it could be somebody else. So, put your best foot forward when you have your opportunity in.”

Kickoff for Friday preseason finale was scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

Kickoff delayed due to air quality

Due to poor air quality, the CFL announced at 5:30 p.m. that the game will be delayed to 8 p.m.

In a statement from the CFL, the decision to delay the game was made by the league, the competing team, and the CFL Players’ Association.

An air quality statement came into effect for Regina on Friday afternoon due to wildfire smoke. According to the CFL’s weather protocol, if the air quality health index reaches an eight (8) or higher, the game will be automatically stopped.

As of 2 p.m. Friday, Regina’s air quality health index from Environment Canada was listed at a seven (7). By 2:45 it had moved up to (10+).

In a statement to CTV News around 2 p.m., the Roughriders said the team did not expect any delays to kickoff but would provide updates as required.

“Per league policy, the air quality at Mosaic Stadium is being actively monitored by the CFL and will continue to be throughout game day,” the statement read.

Collaros dressing for Winnipeg

According to the Blue Bombers’ roster sheet released Thursday, QB Zach Collaros is slated to dress Friday night.

However, Chris Streveler is listed as the team’s starter.

Collaros, who is entering his 13th season in the CFL, was suspended by the league at the beginning of the month for failing to make himself available for drug test.

Under terms of his suspension, Collaros will be allowed to practice and participate in all team activities, including exhibition games, besides one regular-season game.

The two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player will serve the suspension during Week 2 of the season, because Winnipeg has a Week 1 bye.

The Blue Bombers are leaving 13 regulars in Winnipeg for the final preseason game in DEs Willie Jefferson and James Vaughters, DT Jake Thomas, LBs Tony Jones, Kyrie Wilson and Shayne Gauthier, defensive backs Deatrick Nichols, Evan Holm, Terrell Bonds and Michael Griffin II, running back Brady Oliveira and right tackle Eric Lofton.