Riders rest starters for preseason finale against Bombers; poor air quality delays kickoff. Roster hopefuls get final shot before Saturday cuts.
As the Saskatchewan Roughriders prepare for their final preseason clash against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, head coach Corey Mace is taking no risks with his core lineup.
We want to have all your guys playing for home games but for us too, we want to make sure we’re healthy going into week one,” Mace stated following Thursday’s walkthrough. With a short turnaround before their regular season opener, the coaching staff has opted to rest key players, including Trevor Harris, A.J. Ouellette, Samuel Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker, and Logan Ferland.
Defensive regulars like C.J. Reaves, Rolan Milligan Jr., and Jameer Thurman are also sidelined. Mace emphasized that the focus now shifts to finalizing the back end of the roster.
“[There are] an unbelievable amount of reps for guys to make those decisions tough for [the coaching staff]. It played out healthy for us.”
Backup QB Jake Maier Gets the Nod
With Harris out, recently acquired quarterback Jake Maier will lead the offense. Maier, who joined the Riders in a December 2024 trade after four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, welcomes the responsibility.
“We have a pretty good plan for how we want to approach this next preseason game,” Maier said Thursday. “There’s no excuses for us. We’re at home. We should feel really good about our plan.”
Maier saw limited action in last week’s loss to Winnipeg, completing 8 of 13 passes for 80 yards with one interception. He knows Friday’s game carries significant weight.
“Anybody playing in [Friday’s] preseason game, the outcome absolutely matters,” he affirmed. “It’s how you earn a job in this league.”
Last Chance for Fringe Players to Make the Cut
For those on the roster bubble, Friday’s game presents a crucial opportunity to impress the coaching staff before final cuts on Saturday.
“We always make the decision what we feel is best for the team,” Mace explained. “We just want to see them go out there and execute.”
But the looming cuts also bring a tough reality for many aspiring players.
“It’s the unfortunate part of the business and you hate to see it,” Mace admitted. “There is an opportunity. What we’ve seen all the time is, it might not be us, but it could be somebody else. So, put your best foot forward when you have your opportunity in.”
Kickoff Pushed to 8 P.M. Due to Hazardous Air Quality
Originally scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium, kickoff was delayed an hour after air quality conditions worsened Friday afternoon.
In a joint decision by the CFL, the competing teams, and the CFL Players’ Association, the game was pushed to 8 p.m.
Wildfire smoke prompted an air quality advisory in Regina, with the health index jumping from 7 to 10+ in under an hour. Under CFL protocol, any reading above 8 requires postponement.
“Per league policy, the air quality at Mosaic Stadium is being actively monitored by the CFL and will continue to be throughout game day,” the Riders said in a statement to CTV News.
Bombers Rest Key Players; Collaros Will Dress
The Blue Bombers, too, are holding back several starters, including defensive ends Willie Jefferson and James Vaughters, linebacker Kyrie Wilson, and running back Brady Oliveira.
Veteran quarterback Zach Collaros is listed as dressing for the game but won’t start. Chris Streveler will take the opening snaps.
Collaros, entering his 13th CFL season, is currently under suspension for missing a mandatory drug test. However, he is permitted to participate in team activities and exhibition games, with the suspension set to be served in Week 2 of the regular season due to Winnipeg’s Week 1 bye.
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