Rod Pedersen
CFL.ca
Roughriders vs. Stampeders Part IV.
The Green & White will host their archrivals from Calgary one more time this season and the stakes have been raised another notch.
Saskatchewan will host the Stampeders this Sunday in the CFL Western Division Final with a trip to the Grey Cup on the line. By finishing in first place in the CFL West for the first time since 1976, the Riders earned a bye during semifinal weekend.
The Stampeders on the other hand, had to beat Edmonton 24-21 Sunday in the Eastern Semi-Final to get back to Regina one last time.
Would the Eskimos have been a better match-up for the Riders in the West Final? It doesn’t matter now, but at least Saskatchewan will be well-rested for the clash.
“The week off was huge,” said Rider President & CEO Jim Hopson. “At this point, you’ve played 18 games plus exhibition games and everybody’s got a nick whether it’s reported or not. Somebody’s got a sprained thumb, a sore shoulder or nagging injuries and we just got over the flu too.”
The Riders now have a 50/50 shot at getting to the Grey Cup, but history is not on their side. In the past 20 Western Finals the road team has been the winner in 12 of those games. The Riders know they’ve got their work cut out for them.
“You know you’re one game away from the Grey Cup so it’s really big,” Hopson continued. “And the other factor you cannot underestimate for us is the 13th man and the impact that our crowd has on games. Some people say that really isn’t a factor but believe me, our players know that it’s a factor and I think our fans understand that as well too.”
The Stampeders come in on a roll after their win over Edmonton and are brimming with confidence as the defending Grey Cup champions. They know it’ll be tough for Saskatchewan to continue their three game unbeaten streak against the Red & White.
“They’ve had our number all year, that’s for sure,” said Stampeders running back Joffrey Reynolds. “We’re going in there and we’re gonna know what their crowd will be like and what type of game it’s gonna be. But we expect to win and get back here to Calgary.”
History will be made Sunday in Regina. It just remains to be seen who comes out on top.
MILLER TIME
Rider coach Ken Miller spoke to the media Monday afternoon regarding the upcoming West Final against Calgary. Here’s the transcript:
Q. Now you know it’s Calgary … how’s it feel?
MILLER: It was a tremendous football game yesterday between Calgary and Edmonton and we’re pleased with the outcome. We’ll prepare now and get ready to take on Calgary.
Q. Why are you pleased?
MILLER: We now know. Now we have a specific opponent and our preparation can be directed in that way.
Q. Is there an advantage that your last game was against Calgary?
MILLER: There might be an advantage there but I know that they’ll have some twists and views on what they’ll do. A lot of what we prepped for them will be of use, but we’ll have to adapt as well.
Q. Will you have some new bullets?
MILLER: We’ll do some tweaking. We won’t change radically, but we’ll put in some complimentary wrinkles you might saw.
Q. Are there any surprises left?
MILLER: We have some thoughts about them and they’ll have some about us which will go into the game plans. They’re a talented offense. There’ve been times where they haven’t fired on all cylinders but you can say that for every offense. Certainly Joffrey Reynolds is a tremendous athlete and a tremendous runner but really you have to account for Henry. He’s what makes the offense go.
Q. Is it business as usual this week? No closed practices?
MILLER: Certainly. We try to me consistent in every way, including practice. Regarding closing practice, I haven’t given that any consideration whatsoever.
Q. Will it be tough to beat Calgary again? Did you cheer for either team yesterday?
MILLER: It would’ve been tough to beat Edmonton. Regardless, I didn’t cheer for one or the other. I watched with great interest at how the game unfolded and now I’m just happy to have a specific opponent.
Q. How’s your health as a team?
MILLER: I think we’re as healthy now as a team as we’ve been in a considerable period of time. I don’t that exactly, because I haven’t seen the players since last week. There were a few in and out today and everybody seemed healthy. And Ivan hasn’t got any phone calls to lead us to believe anything different. I think we’ll all be healthy tomorrow.
RIDER NOTES: WR Johnny Quinn tore knee ligaments in the Riders’ Week 19 win over Calgary and is gone for the season … DB Eddie Davis missed the team’s last two games with a knee injury but will be back for the Western Final … The Riders placed nine players on the West Division All-Star Team: QB Darian Durant, SB Weston Dressler, C Jeremy O’Day, OG Gene Makowsky, DE John Chick, DE Stevie Baggs, LB Sean Lucas, LB Tad Kornegay and DB Lance Frazier … Chick was named the West Division Most Outstanding Defensive Player … The Grey Cup game will be played Sunday, November 29 at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium.
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