A couple of changes to the Saskatchewan Roughriders roster as they head to Winnipeg on Saturday in the Western Final with a berth to the Grey Cup on the line.
Left tackle Trevor Reid will miss this week’s game due to a knee injury. Reid started in each of the Roughriders 18 regular season games and last week’s Western semifinal against BC. Reid was the team’s nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie this season.
Replacing Reid’s spot will be Peter Godber, who returned last week after being sidelined with an ankle since the beginning of September. With Godber back in at centre, Logan Ferland will shift over to right tackle and Trevon Tate will move to left tackle in Reid’s spot. Ryan Sceviour will dress as the team’s sixth offensive lineman. The former Calgary Stampeder has been out since August with an elbow injury.
Defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II will be inserted into the roster as a part of the defensive line rotation. Last week, Lanier II was a healthy scratch as Micah Johnson and Miles Brown were the starters at defensive tackle.
After receiving a bye last week with their first-place finish in the Western Division, they will have safety Brandon Alexander back in their starting lineup. Linebacker Kyrie Wilson is a game-time decision after being sidelined for 11 games.
Saturday’s matchup will mark the fourth time this season Saskatchewan will meet Winnipeg in 2024. On July 19, Saskatchewan defeated Winnipeg 19-9. The Blue Bombers would go on to claim the season series between the prairie rivals after they swept the back-to-back series in the beginning of September.
Since their last defeat in Winnipeg, the Roughriders managed to turn their season around, going 4-1 (including the loss to the Calgary Stampeders on October 26 when the team’s playoff fate was determined).
Even with the reasonable weather forecast in Winnipeg on Saturday, both teams will look to utilize their running attack. Winnipeg will have Brady Oliveria carrying the rock. Oliveria is the Western Division’s nominee for Most Outstanding Player and Canadian this year. While Saskatchewan will counter with their two-headed monster in A.J. Ouellette and Ryquell Armstead.
Kickoff for Saturday’s Western Final is 5:30.
In the Eastern Final, the Montreal Alouettes will host the Toronto Argonauts. The Argonauts advanced after beating the Ottawa Redblacks last week.