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<\/p>\nHarris has had one of the best starts to a season in his career, having a QB rating of 127.3 (2nd among starters), 75.7% completion rate (2nd), and 10.2 yards per attempt (3rd). He has thrown eight touchdowns to just one interception.<\/p>\n
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What\u2019s helped the 40-year-old quarterback to this start has been his receiver room that features Kian Schaffer-Baker, Sam Emilus and KeeSean Johnson. Schaffer-Baker (384), Johnson (301) and Emilus (246) are all in the top-10 in receiving yards this season.<\/p>\n
That group looked like it might be missing some key pieces as to start the practice week, as Johnson was the only Week 1 starter on the field.<\/p>\n
But as the week went on, not only were Emilus and Schaffer-Baker able to prove they would be good to go, but so is Dhel Duncan-Busby, who missed the loss to the Toronto Argonauts with a shoulder injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was like a little kid in the candy store when I found out I could be back out there. I\u2019m just glad to have the opportunity again and just go have fun with it,\u201d Duncan-Busby said.<\/p>\n
Saskatchewan did add Jaylen Johnson to the one-game injured list. In his place, Johnny Johnson III will make his first CFL start.<\/p>\n
Wide receiver Mathew Sexton will also make his CFL debut as he can provide some kick return capabilities. Returner James Letcher Jr. was added to the six-game injured list.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old Sexton has bounced around quite a bit in his football career. He\u2019s spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins in the NFL, as well as the XFL\u2019s Vegas Vipers and UFL\u2019s San Antonio Brahmas.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s show up every day and do your job,\u201d Sexton said. \u201cNothing has really changed \u2013 just come out here and do what I do,\u201d Sexton said. \u201cI love the game. I love playing this game \u2013 it has blessed me and my family with a lot of opportunities with travelling and stuff like that.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just refuse to quit. I have something to prove still \u2013 I have a lot more to prove. That\u2019s my biggest factor, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Redblacks defence has a lot of familiar faces on it as they signed a number of former Riders, including linebackers A.J. Allen and C.J. Reavis, as well as defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado. Ottawa also signed quarterback Jake Maier and kicker Brett Lauther.<\/p>\n
Head coach Corey Mace said you don\u2019t change your approach just because the opposing team features a lot of their former players.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just having an understanding of the players, as far as a plan of attack,\u201d Mace said. \u201cYou kind of know and have seen them \u2013 some strengths and weaknesses, potentially.\u201d<\/p>\n
The offence with Mair under centre hasn\u2019t been strong to start the season, but it did find a rhythm against the Montreal Alouettes, losing just 37-35 last week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a lot of dynamic players and receivers. An offence kind of similar to the one we faced last week,\u201d Riders linebacker Josh Woods said. \u201cJake\u2019s definitely trying to get more comfortable. I think you\u2019ve seen it in the second half of the game last week \u2026 They have dynamic receivers and a dynamic offence, so we will see how it goes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Riders\u2019 defence is also hoping to start seeing turnovers come their way. The team has only forced one so far \u2013 an interception by Woods.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat needs to be our identity. We need to (get turnovers) to win games, so we need to get it going,\u201d Woods said.<\/p>\n
The Redblacks\u2019 offence features a multitude of weapons, including perennial all-star wide receiver Eugene Lewis, who is back after missing last week\u2019s game. They also have veteran Justin Hardy as well as second-year pro Keelan White, who is listed as a game-time decision.<\/p>\n
Special teams could play a factor in this one, as Ottawa features one of the game\u2019s top returners in Kalil Pimpleton. He leads the CFL in kickoff return yards (466) and is averaging 33.3 yards per return after scoring a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown last week.<\/p>\n
Saskatchewan has given up return touchdowns in back-to-back games this season.<\/p>\n
Lauther has also been solid for the Redblacks so far, hitting on all 10 of his field goal attempts. Meanwhile, Riders kicker Alex Hale has made seven of nine field goal attempts with no makes over 40 yards.<\/p>\n
Mace said as his team takes to the field this week, he wants to see more enthusiasm from his team.<\/p>\n
\u201cCelebrating each other\u2019s success and just some more juice. I felt like we were lacking that last week,\u201d Mace said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know we have great players; we know we can be a great team. Just enjoy and have some fun out there. I thought we were reeling on that last week. The intangibles of complementary football and all that stuff. We are still looking for our best performance. We have not put it out there, which is good. Those are all things we strive for in our process.\u201d<\/p>\n
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