Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-5-0)
at Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-4-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Mosaic Stadium
CKRM, TSN
THE FORECAST: Environment Canada is calling for a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 21 C and a wind out of the west at 20 kilometres per hour.
THE LOWDOWN: The Roughriders and Bombers are to meet for the first time this season, but for the 54thtime on the Labour Day weekend. Saskatchewan has won 35 of the previous 53 Labour Day Classics, including 12 of the past 13. The Roughriders have outscored the Bombers 1,513-1,106 in the series … This is the first time since 2014 that both teams enter the Classic with at least five wins … Saskatchewan enters the contest on a two-game winning streak, having defeated the Calgary Stampeders and B.C. Lions in consecutive weeks. The Bombers, meanwhile, have lost two straight after falling to the Ottawa Redblacks and Stampeders.
THE RIDERS’ ROSTER: Quarterback Zach Collaros got off to a great start in Saskatchewan’s game in Vancouver last Saturday, completing seven of eight pass attempts for 113 yards in the first quarter. He cooled off after that, though, going 12-for-24 for 102 yards over the final three quarters, but it was enough to earn him his third win of the season … Tre Mason, who has led the Roughriders in rushing in each of the past four games, has taken over as the starting tailback. He’ll be joined in a rotation Sunday by Marcus Thigpen, who missed the game in Vancouver due to injury. Thigpen replaces Cameron Marshall, who has been placed on the one-game injured list … Saskatchewan’s receiving corps features starters Shaq Evans, Kyran Moore, Naaman Roosevelt, Josh Stanford and Jordan Williams-Lambert, with Rob Bagg, Brian Jones and Christion Jones as the backups. Devon Bailey, who had a key 39-yard catch against the Lions, has been placed on the one-game injured list … Guard Brendon LaBatte once again proved to be indestructible in Vancouver, returning to the game after missing only a few plays with an injured ankle. It was reminiscent of the game July 19 in Hamilton, where LaBatte kept playing despite suffering a knee injury … The offensive line features the usual six, with Dan Clark at centre, LaBatte and Dariusz Bladek at guard, Thaddeus Coleman and Takoby Cofield at tackle, and Josiah St. John as the sixth man … The Roughriders’ defensive line will be without defensive tackle Mic’hael Brooks, who has been put on the one-game injured list. Curt Maggitt has been activated to take Brooks’ roster spot … The D-line welcomes back tackle Makana Henry, who has been out of the lineup for the past six games. The rotation at tackle will feature Henry, Maggitt, Zack Evans and Eddie Steele. The group of ends still comprises starters Charleston Hughes and Willie Jefferson, with Tobi Antigha, Chad Geter and Jordan Reaves as the backups … Weak-side linebacker Sam Eguavoen continued his all-star-calibre season in Vancouver with five tackles. He now has 41 tackles, seven special-teams stops, five tackles for losses, two sacks, two forced fumbles, a blocked punt and the recovery of said punt for a touchdown … Eguavoen is joined in the starting linebacking corps by Matt Elam and Sam Hurl … Safety Mike Edem also is having a fine season without receiving much fanfare. Edem had six tackles and a fumble recovery against the Lions and now stands fourth on the team in defensive plays this season … Will Blackmon comes off the practice roster to make his first start of the season at cornerback. He replaces Crezdon Butler, who has been placed on the one-game injured list … The rest of the starting secondary comprises corner Nick Marshall and halfbacks Ed Gainey and Loucheiz Purifoy, with Jovon Johnson backing up at corner … Punter Josh Bartel, kicker Brett Lauther, long-snapper Jorgen Hus and returner Christion Jones remain the Roughriders’ specialists.
Click for the full depth chart
Click for the game notes
