The winner of Thursday night’s CFL game — a marquee matchup between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the host Montreal Alouettes —will boast a league-best 6-1 record.
“We don’t really buy too much into ‘the big game,’ because there’s only one big game in our thought process — and that’s at the end of the year,” Roughriders Head Coach Corey Mace said.
“Looking at the week-to-week, we focus on what’s in front of us.”
This week’s objective is to defeat the defending Grey Cup champions on their own turf at Percival Molson Stadium.
“The environment there, I don’t know what it is, but it’s always a tough place to play,” middle linebacker Jameer Thurman said.
“We look forward to the challenge.”
As much as the Roughriders respect their opponents, they don’t assign any additional importance to a game from one week to the next.
“How do we get better?” Mace said. “That’s constantly all we look at and all we focus on.
“If we focus on that and execute that, then the rest should fall where it will.”
With the Roughriders coming off Friday’s 19-9 victory over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers, it would not be a surprise if the looming contest is also a defensive duel.
Montreal has allowed a league-low 22.7 points per game. Saskatchewan, at 23.0 ppg, is the second-stingiest team.
“There are very good teams going into this game,” Thurman said. “There are good defences as well, so I’m just looking forward to the challenge.”
Especially with first place overall being contested.
“Everyone cherishes it when you play against the best,” Thurman said. “Your best has to come out.”
ROLAN TOWARD A RECORD
Roughriders defensive halfback Rolan Milligan Jr. is already halfway toward tying the CFL record for pass knockdowns in a season.
Milligan Jr. has a CFL-best nine knockdowns in six games. Malcolm Frank (1994 Sacramento Gold Miners) and Adrion Smith (1996 Toronto Argonauts) share the record of 18.
Santino Hall (2004) and Ed Gainey (2017) are tied for the Roughriders’ single-season standard (14). Jovon Johnson had 13 pass knockdowns in 2017.
Last Friday, Milligan Jr. tied the Roughriders’ single-game record for pass knockdowns (four). Five other players have accomplished that feat:
• Albert Brown vs. Edmonton, Sept. 20, 1992.
• Greg Battle at Edmonton, Aug. 17, 1996.
• Shannon Garrett vs. Hamilton, Oct. 16, 1998.
• Antoine Hunter vs. Winnipeg, Sept. 3, 2000.
• Santino Hall vs. Montreal, Oct. 2, 2004.
(CFL statisticians Jeff Krever and Steve Daniel provided invaluable assistance with this item.)
FRANK DISCUSSION
After the Roughriders arrived in Montreal on Wednesday, quarterback Shea Patterson was asked whether Frankie Hickson starting in place of injured tailback A.J. Ouellette will alter the offensive strategy.
“Not so much,” Patterson told CKRM’s voice of the Roughriders, Dave Thomas. “Frankie’s an explosive, big-time player as well.
“We’re looking to get A.J. back and he’s pivotal, but Frankie brings some speed to it and I know he has been waiting his turn.”
Ouellette (hip) has been placed on the one-game injured list.
Receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker (shoulder) is on the six-game injured list. His starting slotback’s spot is being filled by KeeSean Johnson.
AMARI ACTIVATED
Amari Henderson, a starting defensive halfback in all 18 games last season, is about to make his first appearance of the 2024 campaign.
Henderson will start at boundary-side cornerback in place of Deontai Williams, who has been moved to the one-game injured list.
“Amari battled an injury in training camp and has been back on the practice field the last few weeks, kind of biding time,” Mace told Thomas.
“It’s always tough in those situations where you’ve been a perennial starter for the team and you’re itching to get back on the field. It’s something where we all understand that and we certainly appreciate his patience.
“We’re looking forward to seeing him in action and seeing what he looks like within our defensive structure. He had a great week of practice and he’s an incredible football player.”
Henderson had two interceptions and five pass knockdowns in 2023.
