The Saskatchewan Roughriders are now focused on the regular season after a 27-20 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday at Mosaic Stadium.
The Riders sat multiple starters in their second loss to the Bombers in as many weeks to close out a winless pre-season, now set to get the regular season underway Thursday in the CFL season opener right back at home against Ottawa. One of the players sitting was starting QB Trevor Harris, giving way to offseason addition Jake Maier for the start. Maier went 9-15 for 113 yards and an interception, before giving way to Jack Coan who impressed with 189 yards on 18/25 passing.
Friday's final whistle of the pre-season marked the end of the road for players looking to play their way onto the Riders roster. That included Daniel Wiebe, a Rosetown born player and eighth round selection by the team in this past year's CFL Draft, who's three catches for 21 yards in the finale was not enough to make the team.
His name was among a lengthy list as the team submitted its final cuts on Saturday with few surprises. Saskatoon Hilltops defensive lineman and Eatonia native John Stevens was another local connection to the team in the pre-season as a territorial junior and is not listed on the Roughriders roster ahead of a return to the CJFL.
The Roughriders are dealing with some injuries entering the season. Two key additions to the offensive line in the offseason Sean McEwen and Phillipe Gagnon are both injured, McEwen out for the season after ACL surgery, those injuries joining some bangs and bruises as the team released their first injury report of the season on Sunday.
The Riders and Redblacks kick the CFL season off Thursday at 7:00 PM. Other Week 1 matchups see Toronto and Montreal playing Friday night out east, and then Hamilton visiting Calgary for the first half of a Saturday doubleheader, followed up by Edmonton visiting BC.