Ideally, there will be 33,000-plus versions of the beloved 13th Fan for the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ final home game of a smashingly successful season.
Saskatchewan earned hosting privileges by finishing first in the West Division with a league-best 12-6 record.
“The advantage of being at home, specifically in this place, is tremendous,” Head Coach Corey Mace said on Wednesday. “I know our fan base wanted it so badly and we were able to accomplish that.
“I’m unbelievably excited to see Rider Nation show up. Being on the flip side and going to somebody else’s barn last year, it was tough on us as the opponent. I want that to be the exact same environment here.
“That’s our fan base’s job. That’s why we built this place — to bring Rider Nation here for games like this.”
The Roughriders are preparing for their second consecutive Western Final — and their fourth in a span of six seasons.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers visited Mosaic Stadium with a Grey Cup berth at stake in 2019. Saskatchewan travelled to Winnipeg for division finals in 2021 and 2024.
This year, the Blue Bombers — a participant in the past five Grey Cup Games — finished fourth in the West and advanced to the Eastern playdowns as a crossover participant. The Blue Bombers are to face the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday, with the winner to proceed to the Eastern Final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Out West, the B.C. Lions and Calgary Stampeders will collide on Saturday in Vancouver with the common objective of playing at Mosaic Stadium one week henceforth.
“The fans make this thing go,” right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick said. “I’m excited to see this place on November 8th. I’m excited to see the fans. I’m excited to love on ’em.
“Rider Nation has been great to us this year. Let’s do it one more time. Let’s be loud. Hydrate up. Love on us one more time, please.”
Pil Country is already sold out for the Western Final.
Tickets are available in the Co-op Community Zone for only $20 — all taxes and fees included. Those seats, located in Mosaic Stadium’s 600 level, are available exclusively to Co-op members at any participating location in Saskatchewan.
Elsewhere in the stadium, available seats start at just $33, plus tax.
Another option is the “Me + 3” package, which offers four adult tickets for the price of three.
And, as always, there is the Family Pack — two adult and two youth tickets for $99.
TERRIFIC 10
Entering the playoffs, the Roughriders lead the West in victories (12) and divisional All-CFL selections (10).
Three adjacent offensive linemen — Hardrick, centre Logan Ferland and right guard Jacob Brammer — were recognized, along with receivers KeeSean Johnson and Dohnte Meyers, defensive tackle Micah Johnson, middle linebacker Jameer Thurman, cover linebacker C.J. Reavis, cornerback Tevaughn Campbell and defensive halfback Rolan Milligan Jr.
“You’re proud of those guys for getting recognized,” Mace said. “I thought we had a pretty good season and, naturally, what comes with that are guys who stand out and make impactful plays.
“We acknowledged it today and showed love, but we’ve just got work to do.”
The Roughriders boast a double-digit all-star count for the fourth time in franchise history. The magic number was 11 in 1966 and 1976. Ten Roughriders were previously recognized in 1967.
HARRIS HONOURED
Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris made Pro Football Focus’s Honour Roll as the CFL’s top offensive player for October.
He also received player-of-the-month honours in July. As well, he has been named the offensive player of the week on five occasions.
In October, Harris completed 60 of 73 passes — an 82.2-per-cent accuracy rate — for 793 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Roughriders defensive tackle Mike Rose was recognized by PFF as the top defensive player for October. He has also been the top-rated defensive lineman following two games.
Harris (with a player grade of 91.5), Rose (90.4) and Hardrick (77.9) all led their respective positions in October.
SAD NEWS
Val Schneider, a key member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies athletic program for 28 years, passed away on Thursday in Edmonton. He was 81.
Schneider was the Huskies’ head football coach for nine seasons (1974-78, 1980-83) and an assistant coach for the same duration.
He was on the Huskies’ coaching staff during their first two Vanier Cup championship seasons (1990, 1996).
As well, Schneider was the athletic director at the U of S from 1980 to 1991.
As a player, he was a four-time all-star with the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
Schneider was a guest coach at the Roughriders’ training camp in 1977 and 1978.
A former executive director of Canada West, he was the first inductee into the conference’s hall of fame when it was established in 2019.