{"id":8929,"date":"2025-07-19T20:57:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-19T20:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/8929\/"},"modified":"2025-07-19T20:57:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-19T20:57:09","slug":"emilus-campbell-return-roughriders-look-to-rebound-saturday-against-lions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/8929\/","title":{"rendered":"Emilus, Campbell return Roughriders look to rebound Saturday against Lions"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Kayle Neis\/Regina Leader-Post<\/p>\n

Saskatchewan Roughriders running back A.J. Ouellette (45) runs the ball during the first half of CFL action at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Regina.<\/p>\n

Taylor Shire<\/p>\n

Regina Leader-Post<\/p>\n

After suffering their first loss of the season last week, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are looking to respond on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

In Week 7 of the CFL season, the Roughriders (4-1) are set to visit the B.C. Lions (3-3) at B.C. Place (5 p.m., TSN, CTV) in the second meeting of the season between the two teams.<\/p>\n

In Week 4, the Green and White beat the visiting Lions 37-18 at Mosaic Stadium. Following a bye week, Saskatchewan lost its first game 24-10 to the Calgary Stampeders last week while the Lions have rattled off two straight victories with wins against Montreal and Edmonton.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re on a great streak right now,\u201d said Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris. \u201cThey\u2019re playing well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lineup changes<\/p>\n

The Roughriders are getting a big weapon back this week as receiver Samuel Emilus returns to the lineup after suffering a foot injury in Week 2 of the season.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, with returner Mario Alford (hip) and left tackle Daniel Johnson (shoulder) heading to the one-game injured list, two CFL rookies will make their first career starts on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Drae McCray, who dazzled for the Riders in the pre-season, will come on to the roster as the primary returner while American Darius Washington, who was signed by the Riders on June 9, will draw the start at left tackle.<\/p>\n

Additionally, cornerback Tevaughn Campbell and defensive lineman Caleb Sanders return to the lineup this week while Canadian receiver Tommy Nield makes his season debut.<\/p>\n

Defensive back Antoine Brooks Jr. and receiver D\u2019Sean Mimbs head back to the practice roster while receiver Mitch Picton is on the one-game injured list.<\/p>\n

Quarterback battle<\/p>\n

The last time these two teams met, Harris was sidelined as he was going through concussion protocol as Jake Maier drew the start for Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n

On the other side, the Lions had Jeremiah Masoli in the game as starter Nathan Rourke was sidelined with an injury of his own.<\/p>\n

This week, Harris, who threw for 425 yards last week, and Rourke, who is coming off a second straight 300-yard game, are both expected to play, which means both defences will have to be ready for new looks.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a different team,\u201d said Roughriders middle linebacker Jameer Thurman. \u201cTheir confidence is up right now on a two-game winning streak, but at the same time, they felt what we did to them last time.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose guys are not going to forget. They\u2019re going to want revenge. They\u2019re playing inside the dome and all that other stuff. But they know who we are.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, yeah, they\u2019ve got their quarterback back, but that doesn\u2019t change anything as far as us preparing to go against them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to go out there execute. That\u2019s all that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Running strong<\/p>\n

While the returning quarterbacks will play a big factor in Saturday\u2019s game, each teams rushing attack could also play a big role.<\/p>\n

In their last meeting, Roughriders running back A.J. Ouellette had a career game with 139 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries while B.C.\u2019s James Butler had 123 yards and a touchdown of his own.<\/p>\n

While Ouellette was limited to nine yards on six carries last week, Butler is coming off a career-high 171 yard performance against Edmonton as he enters this week as CFL\u2019s leading rusher.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve established quite the heck of a run game,\u201d said Roughriders head coach Corey Mace. \u201cAnd we saw that firsthand ourselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re a dangerous team and they\u2019re coming off of two really good wins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bounce back<\/p>\n

Not only are the Lions hoping to avenge their loss a few weeks ago against the Riders, but Saskatchewan is hoping to respond in their own right after losing to Calgary last week.<\/p>\n

Each team has had to watch film from both of those games this week, which might make for some extra motivation for both sides.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt always rubs you the wrong way,\u201d said Mace. \u201cI know they got to watch the tape so I\u2019m certain just kind of how we felt this last week, they probably feel kind of the same way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s going to be another big matchup for both teams \u2026 I think everybody knew (the West Division) was going to be tight, and it certainly is. These are all big games.\u201d<\/p>\n

tshire@postmedia.com<\/p>\n

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