Mitchell Blair
When the Saskatchewan Roughriders hit the road, the team knows whenever they hit the field they are met by a solid contingent of fans wearing green ready to cheer their team on. However, the team ventures into a place they haven’t been to for a long time and quarterback Darian Durant admits he doesn’t know how much green will be in the stands at TD Place when the Riders make their first visit to Ottawa since the 2006 season for a game against the expansion REDBLACKS.
“I don’t know what to expect to be honest with you.” Durant said with a raised eyebrow. “I know how passionate Rider Nation is and how they travel with us no matter where they go, but I know this game has been sold out for quite a while so I’m not sure how many of our fans have a ticket to the game. Knowing the Rider Nation though, I’m sure a lot of them will find their way inside and do their thing.”
Those entering will be happy to see number 89 back on the field as Chris Getzlaf returns after missing the last three games with a lower-body injury. It’s an injury that has plagued him since training camp, but the local product feels as if he is over that and ready to get back in there.
“I can’t wait,” Getzlaf proclaimed. “I missed a few games at the end of last year and I didn’t like that even though I liked the way the season ended. You train all off-season and you’re excited to get back out there, but then you go down and miss a month. It hasn’t been fun and it gets on your nerves a little bit, but I am excited to get back out there and start contributing.
Without Getzlaf, the offence has sputtered somewhat. He is hoping his return can help end some of the problems.
“I’d like to hope so, but if there’s one thing that will happen for sure it’s the continuity and chemistry I have with Doubles (Durant). “ Getzlaf said. “If we can get that showing again. I think we will be a little more successful.
Durant is in agreement with that assessment.
“It’s very important.” Durant said. “He’s a huge part of our offence. He’s one of the better receivers in our league, not just Canadian, and he’s had a lot of success. He’s a guy who I know his body language and exactly where he’s going to be.
Defensively, the team is hoping to bring the same intensity to the table in Ottawa that they brought to last week’s one-sided win over Toronto. Linebacker Sam Hurl, who was named the top Canadian in the CFL for his efforts against the Argos last week, says the REDBLACKS may be an expansion team, but they don’t have an expansion quarterback and that Henry Burris can slice and dice a defence as well as any other veteran pivot in the league.
“Hank’s no spring chicken. He’s been in this league for a long time and he’s been on some good teams. He’s won a Grey Cup and he led his team to one last year.” Hurl said. “He’s one of the top players in this league and you have to be careful against him. They are trying to come together as a team and they are doing that with each week. We just have to make sure they don’t get a rhythm.
This is the first of two games in five days for the team as they will be in Winnipeg on Thursday. Hurl relishes the road trip saying it will be a bonding experience.
“Personally, I’m looking forward to spending a lot of time with the guys. “ Hurl admitted. “It will be a good experience as everyone gets stuck together spending time in the hotel and bunking out with some guys. We’ll have a lot of fun with it. We can’t look at it negatively and we won’t if we can get out here and get a win. We know it’s a business trip and we know losing isn’t fun. We think we have found a successful formula and we have to bring that to the table again and hope for the best. “
Saturday’s game begins at 5 o’clock and will be shown on TSN. 620 CKRM will once again have radio coverage starting with “Roughrider Gameday’ at 2:30. That program will once again be streamed live on Riderville.com from the Four Seasons Sports Palace on Arcola Avenue East. Following that, Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri will bring you “Rider Nation Pregame” followed by the play-by-play.
GAME NOTES:
- Since 1961, the Riders are a combined 38-23-0 against Ottawa’s other two CFL teams—the Rough Riders and the Renegades
- After going 2 of 4 to start the season, Chris Milo has made 5 of his last 6 FG’s
- Darian Durant is one 300 yard game away from having 30 of those in his career
- The Riders have the CFL sack leader after five weeks as John Chick has six. The Riders are 2nd in the league in getting to the quarterback as they have 18. The only team better is Edmonton at 19.
