an Aug. 16 matchup with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).<\/a> A sellout would be an appropriate salute to the Green and White for its performance to date.<\/p>\n\u2022 Saskatchewan is 7-1 even though Samuel Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker have been limited to a combined five starts. Without those elite pass-catchers, the Roughriders\u2019 aerial attack has still been potent. Harris has been the top-rated CFL quarterback, in the assessment of Pro Football Focus, in three of the Roughriders\u2019 past four games. Enjoy watching a master at work.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ideally, Emilus and Schaffer-Baker will both be back in the lineup by season\u2019s end. This oldster remembers 1989, when two other Canadian-born pass-catchers \u2014 Ray Elgaard and Jeff Fairholm \u2014 returned from injuries during the playoffs and were unstoppable as Saskatchewan surged toward the second Grey Cup championship in franchise history.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Then, as now, depth was invaluable. With Elgaard and\/or Fairholm sidelined, the Roughriders used James Ellingson, Rob Bresciani and converted quarterback Jeff Bentrim as inside receivers. Bentrim also returned kickoffs.<\/p>\n
\u2022 When Saskatchewan defeated Hamilton 43-40 in the 77th Grey Cup Game, the left offensive tackle for the winning side was Ken Moore \u2014 one of the most under-rated players in Roughriders history.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Other under-rated Roughriders: Jason Armstead, Larry Bird, Jacob Brammer, Albert Brown, Ken Carpenter, Mike Dirks, Garner Ekstran, DaMarcus Fields, Jack Hill, Nelson Lokombo, Jocelyn Frenette,Terrell Maze, Angie Mitchell, Dominic Picard, Bob Ptacek, Vic Stevenson, Bobby Thompson, Terry Irvin, Cleveland Vann and Paul Williams. (Nominations from the floor are welcomed.)<\/p>\n
\u2022 Angie Mitchell started at quarterback for the Roughriders in three Grey Cup games (1929, 1930, 1931). He is tied for second with Durant (2009, 2010, 2013) in the category of most Grey Cup starts by a Roughrider. Ron Lancaster leads the way with five (1966, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1976).<\/p>\n
\u2022 FAST FACT: A.J. Ouellette has rushed for 1,243 yards in 18 regular-season or playoff games with Saskatchewan, dating back to 2024.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Barney Shynkaruk was kind enough to chat with me on CKRM\u2019s SportsCage on Friday. Early in the interview, he asked me if the 2025 Roughriders remind me of another team in franchise history. I pointed to the 1981 edition, which went 9-7 under first-year Head Coach Joe Faragalli. That was such a close-knit team. The camaraderie of 1981 can be compared to 2025. Mace has had a Faragalli-like effect on the players.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Another 1981 flashback: Dohnte Meyers has registered 100-plus receiving yards in each of his past three road games. The team record of four in a row was set by Joey Walters in 1981.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Barney also referenced a movie, Rain Man, that I have yet to see. Rain Man has quickly been added to the bye-week bucket list. Good idea? Any other suggestions?<\/p>\n
\u2022 In 1977, I was the only member of my Grade 8 class who hadn\u2019t seen Star Wars. No wonder I wasn\u2019t popular. (I did see Smokey and the Bandit three times, however.)<\/p>\n
\u2022 Revisiting the Emilus\/Schaffer-Baker note: In their absence, the Roughriders have continued to start three Canadian receivers. The offence has continued to produce. Consider, too, that the Roughriders have had to replace Ajou Ajou, who enjoyed a fine rookie season after being selected in Round 7 of the 2024 CFL Draft. Now with the Indianapolis Colts, the affable Ajou caught three passes for 18 yards in Thursday\u2019s NFL pre-season game against the Baltimore Ravens. He was targeted five times while wearing No. 9.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Fifty years ago tomorrow, there was a notable doubleheader at Taylor Field. The Roughriders faced the B.C. Lions in the afternoon. That evening, an estimated 18,000 spectators watched the opening ceremonies of the inaugural Western Canada Summer Games. The back-to-back events attracted nearly 40,000 good citizens to Taylor Field.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Roughriders versus Lions, 1975, took place on what may have been the calmest day in the history of professional football in Saskatchewan. The official stats sheet shows that the wind was two kilometres per hour. Unsurprisingly, all 10 placement attempts were successful.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Nice people who deserve a plug: Peter Malone, Nancy Malone, Carol Gay Bell, John Lipp, Gracie Baynton, Lee Jones, Barney Shynkaruk, Colson Schulz, Craig Smith, Cathy Smith, Juris Graney, Johnathon Stevens, Ajou Ajou, Larry Dean, Ezra Raines Grzyb-Dore, Buck Martinez and Sheriff Buford T. Justice.<\/p>\n
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