Roughriders ‘starving’ for a win in Thursday’s game against Argonauts

The Saskatchewan Roughriders aren’t just hungry for a win – they’re famished.

“More starving than anything,” said quarterback Trevor Harris.

Harris said he believes the Riders were the better team in Friday’s game against the Montreal Alouettes, even though Saskatchewan ultimately fell 27-24.

“We just have to make sure we tighten up a few things here and there and not make it to a point where it comes down to a last second or a last drive.”

The team will get a chance to tighten things up with a CFL showdown against the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday. Kickoff for the game at BMO Field is set for 5:30 p.m.

The Riders are currently stuck in a winless streak, going 0-3-1 in their last four games while managing to remain on top of the league’s west division.

But while it was a loss last week to the Alouettes, the team was glad to have Harris back in the lineup. The veteran quarterback missed the last six games due to a knee injury. In his return, he threw for 355 yards and two touchdowns in a performance that saw Harris named Pro Football Focus’ top quarterback of the week.

Head coach Corey Mace echoed the sentiments of his players, saying he’s hungry for a win.

“Just smashed some tacos and a doughnut, and I’m starving,” Mace said. “We’re itching just to get it off of our back. We don’t have the feeling that we are a bad team – the confidence is still really high. We just have to find ways to get it done.”

This will be the first time the Riders will face the Argos at BMO Field since September 28, 2019 – a 41-16 win for the Riders.

While the Riders welcomed back their starting pivot last week, the Argos (5-4) will welcome back their own starter this time around, with Chad Kelly making his 2024 debut. The CFL’s 2023 most-outstanding player was suspended for the first nine games of the season after violating the league’s gender-based violence policy.

Mace, who was the Argos defensive co-ordinator from 2022-23, said he and his team know what to expect from Kelly, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy.

“The number-one thing is that he is a big-time competitor, even down to practice reps and stuff like that,” said Mace.

The Riders’ defence will try to put some pressure on the quarterback – something they have been good at this season. Saskatchewan leads the CFL with 26 sacks.

“We’re resilient. We persevere through challenges. We take on challenges and we respond well,” said defensive end Malik Carney, who has four sacks so far. “Does that say we are where we want to be? No. Are we satisfied with what we have done? No. There is always work to be done.

“But we know who we are and we know what we are capable of and just having that humble mindset to affect quarterbacks and get the quarterbacks down.”

The Riders have also been the league’s best when it comes to interceptions, picking off opposing quarterbacks 14 times. Defensive back Rolan Milligan has led the way for the Riders with six interceptions so far – the most in the CFL.

“It’s fun, just seeing hard work paying off,” Milligan said. “I’m getting opportunities and I’m just capitalizing on them. I’ve had opportunities in the past that I didn’t capitalize on in previous seasons, so when I get a chance to get a play on the ball, making sure I make it.”

Milligan has also been one of the league’s best special-teams players, with a CFL-high 15 special teams tackles.

This week a big challenge awaits in Argos returner Janarion Grant. Grant leads the CFL with four kick return touchdowns, including an 84-yard punt return touchdown against the Riders earlier this season. The Riders ended up winning that game 30-23.

“He’s fast, and he’s strong too,” Milligan said. “He breaks through arm tackles and he’s very instinctive and trusts his instincts and his blockers, so you can’t really hesitate. If you hesitate, he is going to beat you.”

Frankie Hickson will get the start at running back for the Riders due to AJ Ouellete being added to the six-game injured list due to a hip injury. Hickson has 229 yards in three previous starts this season.

Kian Schaffer-Baker will return to the lineup Thursday after missing four games due to a shoulder injury.

Mitch Picton (ankle) was also added to the six-game injured list.

Trevon Tate, who just signed with the Riders earlier this week, will start the game at right tackle. He played in Toronto from 2021-23 before signing with Calgary this offseason. He was released on August 14.