Roughriders believe they're ‘on the clock' ahead of 2025 season

CTV News

a day ago

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris (7) throws against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the second half of CFL Western Conference final action in Winnipeg Saturday, November 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have set their team motto for the 2025 season that kicks off Thursday night against the Ottawa Redblacks at Mosaic Stadium.
'We're one the clock,' head coach Corey Mace told reporters Wednesday. 'We think it's our time.'
'What are we going to do with it?' he added.
In 2024, Saskatchewan finished second place in the CFL's West Division with a 9-8-1 record, before falling to the rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the division final.
Much of the team's core has returned to Regina and are hoping to take the next step towards becoming a Grey Cup contender in 2025.
'Everybody's hungry,' Mace said. 'But it's one thing to say – it's another thing to do it every day. And certainly, [Thursday's] another day that we have to answer the bell.'
Quarterback Trevor Harris is known to wear several wristbands with various slogans on his arm throughout the season - which he also gives to his teammates as reminders.
This year, 'S.R. Time' is written on one of the wristbands.
'For Saskatchewan Roughrider time,' Harris said. 'But I think there's a little bit more to that. And if you say it fast enough, 'it's our time.'
'It is our time to be on the clock. And hopefully this year is our time,' the quarterback added.
TSN's Dave Naylor picked the Roughriders to win the West Division and make it to the 112th Grey Cup.
'This was not a team that needed an overhaul,' he told CTV Saskatchewan Morning Live Wednesday. 'On paper, they might be the best lineup.'
'I look at the roster and I go around them position group by position group – I just see consistency. I see some improvements from a year ago,' Naylor added.
Cohesion has been the word of the season so far in 2025.
Harris believes 2024 was a year of setting the foundation. With so many core players returning, it is time to build something great.
'Now it's time to see what we've done,' he said. 'Hopefully we can make it happen. But we know every week is going to be a tough test.'
Saskatchewan kicks off their season Thursday night at 7 p.m. against the Ottawa Redblacks.
OL injuries spark first pro start for Collins
Due to injuries on the offensive line, one Saskatchewan Roughriders rookie will get his first pro start Thursday night.
'I didn't expect to call it up week one,' Payton Collins said after the team's walkthrough Wednesday. '[I] just have to be ready for whatever and have a chance to help the team this weekend. I'm excited to see us go out and compete.'
Collins slots in at the left tackle position Thursday after the team announced Jacob Brammer was out for Week 1 with a back injury.
The Eastern Kentucky University Colonel was signed by the Riders just prior to the start of training camp.
The All-American set a program record by starting 56 consecutive games, beginning in 2020. As a senior in 2024, he helped lead an offence which rushed for over 2,400 yards, the third-highest total in the conference and produced more than 4,500 yards of total offence and 36 touchdowns.
Collins said it has been a transition to learn the CFL-style of game.
'[There are] a lot of different rules with 12 people on the field and stuff like the yard off the ball,' he admitted. 'But at the end of the day, it's football. Football is football and it's a physical game. So just come out there and be physical, play hard and the rest will take care of itself.'
Due to his bright red hair, Collins has already earned the nicknames 'Big Red' and 'Clifford'.
Mace says Collins has built trust in his short tenure with the Riders.
'Big Red is a really good football player,' the head coach said. '[We were] really excited when we had the opportunity to sign him. When he came in, he kind of validated our thoughts.'
Saskatchewan started 14 different offensive lineman in 2024 – mostly due to a high number of injuries.
Harris also reaffirmed his confidence in the men protecting him in the pocket.
'We've been here before,' the pivot said. 'The bad thing about starting 14 guys on the O-line is you had to start 14 guys. The good thing is you got a lot of faith in a lot of those guys.'
'I know those guys will do a great job,' Harris added.
'[It] means a lot they put their trust in [me] to be the starting left tackle this week,' Collins said. 'But also puts a lot on my mind. I gotta make sure I know what I'm doing and go out there and, make them say, 'hey, we made the right decision by starting this guy.'
Only one other Roughrider rookie made the main roster. 2025 CFL Draft fourth overall pick Ali Saad will back up on the defensive line to start the season.