“We want the Cup”! Roughriders determined to deliver after arriving in Winnipeg
WINNIPEG — Touchdown, Saskatchewan!
The Roughriders have arrived in Winnipeg, where they will oppose the Montreal Alouettes in Sunday’s Grey Cup Game at Princess Auto Stadium.
“You work your tail off to hopefully be a part of this weekend,” Roughriders Head Coach Corey Mace said early Monday evening at Richardson International Airport.
“The work has already started but, now that we’re here, I’m looking forward to getting out of this suit, putting on some Rider gear, and going back down into the office at the hotel.
“It’s work as usual but, for us to be here, we’re extremely grateful.”
The Roughriders advanced to the CFL’s championship game by defeating the B.C. Lions 24-21 in Saturday’s Western Final at a sold-out Mosaic Stadium.
Mace has now been a member of a Grey Cup finalist in four capacities — as a defensive tackle (with the Calgary Stampeders in 2012 and 2014), defensive line coach (Calgary, 2016 to 2018), defensive co-ordinator (Toronto Argonauts, 2022) and head coach (welcome to Winnipeg, Corey).
As a seventh-time Grey Cup participant, he knows how to navigate the hectic week and its inevitable detours and distractions.
“You have to adapt and conquer, knowing what the schedule looks like,” he said. “It kind of breaks the routine for us as coaches and as athletes.
“The routine is a lot but, like anything throughout a game, you’ve got to adapt and move from that standpoint.
“Having the experience of being a part of a couple of these, I’m giving some information and some knowledge to the guys about what it’s probably going to look like this week.”
Tuesday’s first order of business — at least publicly — for Mace will be a noon-hour coaches’ media conference that will also feature Montreal’s Jason Maas, who was the Roughriders’ Offensive Co-ordinator in 2021 and 2022.
Full practices are to be held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Princess Auto Stadium.
CFL Awards presentations are slated for Thursday night. Saskatchewan right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick is a finalist for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
Both finalists for Most Outstanding Player — quarterbacks Nathan Rourke (B.C.) and Bo Levi Mitchell (Hamilton Tiger-Cats) — saw their seasons come to an end on Saturday.
Saskatchewan’s Trevor Harris and Montreal’s Davis Alexander will be the starters in the 112th Grey Cup Game.
Meeting with reporters at the Winnipeg airport, Harris was asked about the pressures that theoretically accompany being a marquee player in such a high-stakes game.
“I’ve never really felt pressure,” he replied. “I just go with the moment, play football, and do what I’m supposed to do. I don’t feel like I’ve ever had a moment that’s gotten too big for me.
“Pressure is what you put in tires, I guess. I just go out there and play ball.”
Earlier in the day, Harris and his cohorts received a thunderous ovation from hundreds of fans who waited outside Mosaic Stadium — where three airport-bound buses were parked — to send the team off to the Grey Cup in fine style.
When the fans weren’t applauding the players and coaches, chants were the order of the day.
“We want the Cup!”
“The Cup is ours!”
“Let’s go Riders!”
“Bring ’em out!”
The popular running back stopped to sign autographs, pose for selfies, accept handshakes and dispense high-fives, accommodating everyone for as long as was feasible before there was the imperative of boarding the bus.
There were two Harris sightings at the stadium.
Early in the proceedings, he opened the door and out came his wife (Kalie) and sons (T.J., Trace and Tripp). A proud father stood in the doorway, smiling, and took a video.
When Harris emerged a few minutes later, accompanied by luggage, another chant erupted: “MVP! MVP!”
He was also among a select group of Roughriders who, upon request, approached a microphone to address the fans.
“I appreciate you guys,” Harris told the audience. “Thank you for coming out. It was an amazing victory and you guys were a big part of it this past Saturday against B.C.
“We’re really looking forward to Sunday and representing you guys and the province and doing the best we can to bring home this championship.
“We can’t wait to celebrate with you guys.”
The Roughriders’ second-year field boss echoed those sentiments.
“How are we feeling today?!” Mace said, eliciting another roar from the crowd.
“This is awesome. I know that everybody really appreciates it. We appreciate you guys every day.
“Hopefully we can pack this place a little bit more on the way back. What do you think?”
More applause.
“You can feel the excitement, the buzz around the city, the buzz around the stadium, and how much people want this Grey Cup for this team and this province,” Harris said after the Roughriders landed in the Manitoba capital.
“It’s the first time the Green and White has been in the Cup for 12 years now, so to finish the job is really what motivates me.”
