Mitchell Blair
On the eve of a much-anticipated Western Final, Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant is fully aware of what it would mean for a passionate fan base to have an opportunity to cheer for their team in the 101st Grey Cup in their stadium and what a week it would be leading up to the big game, but he also cautions the present is much more important.
“I don’t even want to think that far ahead, because if you overlook any moment, any second, of this game, then you’ll find yourself at home.” Durant explained “We have to make sure we take care of business at hand. That’s the only way we’ll be able to visualize how the city will be.’’
Durant has been to three Grey Cups—two as a starter and he knows how tough it is to get to that game whether or not it’s played in his own backyard. He feels there is no added emotion, but there is an urgency to get to a spot eight teams want to be at, but only two can be,
“Not emotion. Just ‘want to,’ I guess. You want to be able to play the Grey Cup game in front of your home fans. You don’t get that opportunity much, let alone going to a Grey Cup” Durant said. “It’s a special game, a special opportunity, and hopefully everyone realizes that and we seize the moment.’’
Durant was smiling on Friday when he learned all-star slotback Chris Getzlaf would be in the lineup. Number 89 was questionable after missing the last two games of the regular season with a knee injury suffered in Calgary late in the regular season. Head Coach Corey Chamblin was very coy about Getzlaf’s status all week before finally revealing he would play. Getzlaf is obviously happy knowing his football season has at least four more quarters in it and that he won’t watch this game from the Rider sidelines.
“It’s a good feeling.” Getzlaf said. “You always want to be out there helping the team and the last two weeks weren’t fun so now I have a chance to get back out there. There was a lot of hope, a lot of treatment and a lot of extra work, I’m feeling pretty good and I’m confident I can go out there and make plays when my number is called.”
The two teams have been careful not to say anything this week to inflame their opponents and Chamblin wasn’t about to try in his last gathering in front of the Regina media Friday. Like many others who follow the CFL on a daily basis, he feels it will be a game that will bring everything.
“It’s going to be a great football game, an exciting football game with two evenly matched teams vying for a division title and an opportunity to play in the Grey Cup.” Chamblin said. “I’m looking forward to it and I’m guessing they are too. We know this is a big game and the guys are focused.
If the Riders are to win, they will likely have to neutralize the Western Division nominee for Most Outstanding Player and Top Canadian—Jon Cornish. The Calgary running back is the key to their attack. Defensive lineman Ricky Foley knows that and shared his thoughts as to how to stop him.
“Make him stop his feet.” Foley said. “If he gets a head of steam and he gets rolling downhill than he is very tough to bring down. We’ve got to do a good job up front of penetrating, getting in the backfield and making him stop his feet. If we do that, everybody rallies to the ball and gets a lot of helmets on him.’’
While the Riders practiced for what arguably could be the last time Friday at Mosaic Stadium, Foley is intent on making sure his work year has one more week of practices scheduled.
“I really don’t care how much snow there is. It can be whatever out here and I want to be a part of it. “Foley stated, “Day 3 is always a little weird before a game, and especially a playoff game. It’s like the quiet before the storm, You don’t want to get too excited and too emotional out there, but you can kind of feel it. You have to do a good job of keeping your emotions in check, and just locking in and focusing — dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s. You’re kind of keeping the best inside for the next 48 hours.’’
The two teams will kick it off at MacMahon Stadium at 330 pm Saskatchewan time. 620 CKRM will present the longest and most comprehensive game day coverage in the CFL starting at 1 o’clock with “Roughrider Gameday”. That show can also be seen live on www.riderville.com. Once that is over, Rod Pedersen will bring you “Rider Nation Pregame Show” before saddling up besides Carm Carteri to bring you every tackle and touchdown. TSN will have the television coverage.
GAME NOTES:
- In each of the last 10 seasons, at least one road team has won a division final including last year when both road teams advanced to the Grey Cup.
- Darian Durant is 2-0 in Western finals
- In the three games between the two this season, neither team missed a field goal
- This will be the 11th time that the Riders and Stampeders have collided in the Western Final, but the first time since 1971. The series is tied at five games apiece.
