It will be a fresh crop of local depth for the Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-6-1) when they head to Winnipeg to meet the Blue Bombers (6-6) on Saturday.
Noah Zerr will start at left guard, a void vacated with an injury to Zach Fry. The former University Saskatchewan Huskie signed with the Roughriders during the off-season, after beginning his career in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the B.C. Lions and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Langenburg product was selected by the Lions in the second round (12th overall) of the 2022 CFL Draft.
Melfort product Logan Ferland starts at centre with the injury to Peter Godber. Due to injuries, Ferland has seen action at left guard, right guard, right tackle and now centre this season.
Nick Jones is back on the roster at right guard.
Safety Jaxon Ford will make his season debut on Saturday. Last season, the former University of Regina Ram saw time as the team’s starting safety and blocked the pass from Blue Bomber Zach Callaros on a failed attempt in the Roughriders 2023 Labour Day Classic 32-30 victory. Ford will back up former U of S Huskie Nelson Lokombo at safety.
Another former Huskie that will make his CFL debut on Saturday. Linebacker Nick Wiebe will be on the Roughriders roster for the first time as he recovers from an ACL injury he suffered last November.
Canadian rookie receiver Ajou Ajou starts in place of Dohnte Meyers, giving Saskatchewan three starting national receivers this week.
The Roughriders head into the rematch of the Labour Day matchup, trailing the Blue Bombers by one point in the Western Division. Saturday will mark the third and final time Saskatchewan will meet Winnipeg, with each team winning one contest in 2024.
The last time the green and white tasted victory was the first encounter with the Blue Bombers on July 19. At the time, the Roughriders were in first place at 5-1, now they find themselves in third spot, one point back of the Blue Bombers and BC Lions (6-6). Along with a surging Edmonton Elks (4-8) team three points along with the Calgary Stampeders (4-7).
Saskatchewan will attempt to avenge a heartbreaking loss on Sunday, with the game going down to the wire, as kicker Brett Lauther’s 60-yard field goal attempt fell short by a few yards on the final play of the game.
Following Saturday’s game, the Roughriders will head into their second bye week of the 2024 season and will return to action on Friday, September 20 in their first game against the Stampeders in Calgary.