The smiling face of Corey Mace says it all.
“I’m super excited for these guys to get that feeling — walking down the tunnel and just waiting for the crowd and the Bring ’Em Out,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Head Coach said of Friday’s pre-season finale against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
“It’s a special moment for everybody who gets to do that. I’m really excited for those guys who are able to play to have that moment, because they’ve earned it.
“I’m really happy that we’re back to playing home football here in Saskatchewan.”
Friday’s game will take place 209 days after the Roughriders triumphantly concluded their 2024 home schedule by defeating the B.C. Lions 28-19 in the CFL’s Western Semi-Final.
Although last season was one in which the Roughriders enjoyed immense progress, Mace underlines the need to concentrate on the 2025 calendar as Friday’s final tune-up looms.
“It’s a competition,” he emphasized. “That’s just what it is.
“I told everybody, ‘Nine All-Stars … that’s last year.’ It’s a ‘what have you done for us lately?’ kind of business and it’s competition.”
For some, it will be a final audition for a roster spot after an intensive period of preparation that began with rookie camp on May 7th at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.
Coors Light Training Camp, which commenced on May 11th at the University of Saskatchewan, was a prelude to last Saturday’s pre-season opener in Winnipeg.
Now we are merely a week shy of the CFL’s regular-season opener — the Roughriders’ June 5th home date with the Ottawa REDBLACKS — and so much remains to be determined.
“We are on a quick turnaround after this pre-season game, getting ready for the Thursday game after that, so (the tight schedule) definitely had a role to play (in constructing Friday’s roster),” Mace said.
“In saying that, we’re still trying to formulate the back end of the roster. There’s an unbelievable number of reps for guys to make those decisions tough for us.”
Accordingly, precisely half of the 62 players who are on Friday’s roster will be wearing Green and White for the first time under game conditions at Mosaic Stadium.
“I would say that for anybody who is playing in tomorrow’s pre-season game, the outcome absolutely matters,” stated Friday’s starting quarterback, Jake Maier. “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.
“Are you focusing on things that are more process-oriented in these types of settings? Absolutely. But I’m telling right now, anybody who is going to suit up tomorrow is going to have the intention of winning.
“They’re going to do everything they can to make sure that happens, because when you get to a second pre-season game, it’s a lot of younger guys and a lot of guys trying to prove themselves and earn a roster spot.
“You’ll see some high-intensity stuff, for sure, especially from the younger guys.”
Maier got the nod as the starter after the Roughriders decided not to dress reigning divisional All-CFL quarterback Trevor Harris. He is one of several veterans who is being rested for the regular-season opener.
“You want to have all your guys playing for home games (under ideal circumstances),” Mace said, “but, for us, we want to make sure that we’re healthy going into Week 1.”
They also want to ensure that the best roster decisions are made within an unavoidably tight time frame. Final cuts are due by Saturday at 10 p.m.
“It’s unfortunate,” Mace said. “Yet, we all know what it is. We chose this game, right?
“But there is an opportunity and we see it all the time. It might not be us, but it might be somebody else, so put your best foot forward when you have the opportunity.”
