Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saturday, 7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium
THE FORECAST: Environment Canada is calling for a high of 24 C during the day with a mix of sun and cloud and a wind out of the west at 30 km/h. The evening is expected to be clear with a low of 9 C.
THE LOWDOWN: The Roughriders and Bombers each are playing their first game of the 2017 CFL pre-season, but it isn’t your typical exhibition contest. The meeting between the prairie rivals will be the first CFL game ever to be played at Mosaic Stadium, the Roughriders’ new $278-million home … Saskatchewan is holding off on the grand opening of the new stadium until July 1, when the Roughriders begin the home portion of their regular-season schedule. The Bombers will be the opponents again that night … This will be the second football game ever staged at Mosaic Stadium. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies and University of Regina Rams met at the facility in a Canada West game on Oct. 1.
THE RIDERS’ ROSTER: Quarterback Kevin Glenn will dress for Saturday’s game, but it’s unlikely that he’ll play much (if at all). Brandon Bridge (who’s slated to start), Bryan Bennett (second man in) and Marquise Williams (limited snaps) will get repetitions as the Roughriders try to determine their No. 2 quarterback. Vince Young, who suffered a leg injury in Tuesday’s practice, will not play Saturday … Saskatchewan is still trying to settle on a starting running back. Internationals Anthony Allen and Cameron Marshall currently are in the mix, as is national Greg Morris … The Roughriders’ receiving corps is loaded with potential starters, with players like Rob Bagg, Duron Carter, Bakari Grant and Naaman Roosevelt in the lineup. But rookies such as Antwane Grant and Jenson Stoshak have been impressive in training camp and should get extended looks Saturday … Defensive end Willie Jefferson has been a beast during camp. The Roughriders are eager to see how he’ll do over a full season … Saskatchewan’s secondary is a work in progress. Starters one day were backups the next during camp as the coaching staff tried to find players who can excel in man coverage — the scheme Chris Jones prefers to run … Returner Chad Owens, receiver Caleb Holley and defensive lineman Ese Mrabure are among the veterans who aren’t expected to dress for Saturday’s game.
