Davis: Grading the Saskatchewan Roughriders 1/3 through their CFL season
Article content
'B,' said Riders head coach Corey Mace. 'We're not what we quite want to be yet and I don't think anybody would have anything to say to argue that. I think we know the capability of where we want to go. And regardless of what game you pick, we're just not quite there yet.
Article content
Article content
Article content
'But we're OK with that because we love the challenge of trying to find the solutions to the equations. So we're not afraid of the work. These guys are working their tails off, whether it's in the meeting room, the weight room or on the field. So that would be an honest answer'
Article content
As they prepare for Friday's CFL game against the visiting Edmonton Elks, the Roughriders have a 5-1 record, tied atop the West with the Calgary Stampeders. Slated to play the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday, Calgary also had a 5-1 record and a tiebreaking advantage over Saskatchewan because of a surprisingly easy, 24-10 victory over the hometown Roughriders in their first (of two) regular-season meetings.
Article content
Mace's assessment was fair, but it would be tough to fit into the teacher's comments on a report card. Here's a quick, position-by-position grading of the Roughriders at the one-third mark:
Article content
Quarterbacks: A-. While losing to Calgary, starter Trevor Harris had his worst game of the season and still passed for 425 yards. His ability to quickly find open receivers is legendary. Backup Jake Maier played one cautious game while Harris was injured and didn't give away the victory. Third-stringer Tommy Stevens is virtually unstoppable on short-yardage plays.
Article content
Running backs: B. With a rebuilt physique allowing him to make seam-hitting second cuts, A.J. Ouellette was rambling for 90 yards per game, until he was held to nine yards on six carries by Calgary's stout defence. Backups Thomas Bertrand-Hudon and Ka'Deem Carey were fine fill-ins, until getting hurt.
Article content
Article content
Receivers: B. Playing without Kian Schaffer-Baker, Sam Emilus and Shawn Bane Jr., there have been some surprisingly strong games from Dohnte Meyers, Dhel Duncan-Busby, KeeSean Johnson and Joe Robustelli, all second-year players. Meyers was the latest, catching seven passes for 132 yards and two TDs in a 33-27 victory over the B.C. Lions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Team P.E.I. swimmers dream of winning gold for the Island
Social Sharing The Canada Games isn't just any old competition for Veronica MacLellan — it's a chance to live out a dream. The 14-year-old swimmer is suiting up with Team P.E.I. at the games in Newfoundland in just a few days. "It's really cool," said MacLellan. "I've been looking forward to this for a very long time. I've been training and thinking about Canada Games for, like, the last year and a bit." MacLellan said she's even more pumped about the event because, as a para-swimmer, there are only a handful of other athletes in the Maritimes for her to race against. The competition will be much stronger in St. John's. "P.E.I. is a very small place, and I feel like winning a medal for P.E.I. and being able to represent P.E.I. from the podium would be, like, an amazing experience," she said. MacLellan doesn't mess around during training, either. She's found some effective ways to stay motivated. "There's this one girl I really want to beat, and I'm really excited to try and beat her," said MacLellan. "At other swim meets, I've pretended she's there next to me, and it helps push me." 'Race hard' Ivy Ban is back for her second games, so she knows what it takes to fight for a medal. "Race hard. Don't leave anything in the tank 'cause you'll regret it after," said Ban. "But just have fun and be yourself and enjoy your time with your teammates and coaches." The 14-year-old practices nine times a week, but she's going up against many 16-year-olds, so every training session counts. Winning a medal for P.E.I. and being able to represent P.E.I. from the podium would be like an amazing experience. - Veronica MacLellan, Team P.E.I. "You can probably beat them if you believe in yourself," she said. Ban isn't just focused on winning, though. She plans to take in some of the scenery too. "The cafeteria food looks really good, so I'm really looking forward to that." Nerves and excitement Other members of the Team P.E.I. swim team will be making their first Canada Games appearance. "A little nervous but excited," said Ryan Reid. The 13-year-old qualified for the Canada Games in Niagara back in 2022 but decided not to go. "I want to go this time because I think I'm more mature than I was last time and a little more ready to leave for a week," he said. "I didn't exactly think I was ready to be alone for a week last time, but now I'm ready to go." Reid is racing in seven events over the span of a week, so he hopes his body can handle the workload. "I haven't had a meet that's a week long yet. I don't know how it will hold up, but I hope that it does pretty well," he said. Strength in numbers Even though the athletes might be a little nervous to represent P.E.I. in St. John's, they all really want to have fun. And that's easier to do when everyone has your back. "I have good teammates so we really just motivate each other in practice and just bring a smile to each practice and have fun," said Ban. "I think we've actually gotten really close over the summer," said Reid. "Some people didn't know each other as well, especially since I was coming from Summerside and a lot of them are from Charlottetown, but we've gotten together a lot more than we were, and we're all good friends now." The 2025 Canada Games begin Aug. 8.
CTV News
7 hours ago
- CTV News
CTV National News: Canada's Victoria Mboko beats Rybakina, earns spot in National Bank Open Final
Watch The 18-year-old sensation will play in the National Bank Open's final after defeating Elena Rybakina on Wednesday. Mark Masters reports.
CBC
8 hours ago
- CBC
German ambassador to Canada ecstatic over Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Müller signing
In what must have been the worst-kept secret in Vancouver's sports world, the Whitecaps of the MLS announced Wednesday that they have signed German superstar Thomas Müller from Bayern Munich. Matthias Lüttenberg, Germany's ambassador to Canada, said he was used to having the occasional German playing hockey — but Müller is the first "shining star" to come over in the soccer world.
