The west division leading Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-3-1) host the East Division leading Montreal Alouettes (8-1) tonight at Mosaic Stadium. (Pre-Game 620-CKRM 4pm, Kick-off 7pm)
The Roughriders will start Quarterback Trevor Harris for the first time since he suffered a knee injury June 23 against Hamilton. Harris tested the knee all week and says he is ready, “early on in the week there were just a couple of things that you can’t replicate without a pass rush and getting through progressions and flicking your hips. We were able to take care of that day one, came back day two and I really started feeling a lot more like myself so we’ll give it a go.”
Harris admitted that he was emotional when he arrived at the stadium prior to the team’s walk-thru on Thursday knowing that he was going to return to action, “I was crying in the car on my way here — just thankful, just grateful.”
“It’s just one of those moments of gratitude. I was tearing up on the way in, thinking, ‘I get to do this again.’ I’m insanely grateful that we get to play this game. I grew up loving this game.”
The Roughriders are 5-3-1 atop the west division entering tonight’s game and with Shea Patterson at the controls of the Marc Mueller offence the Riders went 2-3-1, in Harris’ absence.
Joining Harris and returning to the Rider roster tonight is running back A.J. Ouellette, receiver KeeSean Johnson and linebacker Jameer Thurman.
For the Alouettes, they will be without starting Quarterback, and former Rider, Cody Fajardo. The pivot is listed as the back-up to Alexander Davis. Fajardo has been out since July 11 when he injured a hamstring.
Kick-off Friday night is at 7pm.
Here’s a look inside the numbers and what to watch in this week 11 match-up:
Saskatchewan Roughriders:
- Trevor Harris will make the 105th start of his career tonight. He has an all-time record of 54-48-2 AND is 8-4 in his career against Montreal.
- Since signing with the Riders, Harris has missed 19 of their 27 games due to injury. However Harris is 6-2 in 8 starts with the Riders, #17 all-time with 30,756 career passing yards and #2 A/T in career completion % at 70.6%.
- The two teams are first and second in the league in turnover ratio. The Riders are a +12 the Als are a +9.
- Through 40 games this season, home teams in the CFL are a combined 27-12-1 for a .688 winning %. That is the highest home winning percentage in league history.
- The Riders blocked 2 Ottawa Field Goal attempts last week. The last club to accomplish that was in 2017. Hamilton blocked 2 Toronto Field Goal tries (both by Will Hill) on June 25, 2017.
- In his first 24 career games, Rolan Milligan Jr. made just 3 interceptions. In his last 7 games, he has 6 interceptions to lead the CFL. He is also #1 with 10 Pass Knockdowns on pace to break the CFL record of 18
- Shawn Bane and Samuel Emilus have consecutive game reception streaks well underway. Bane's current run is at 33 games in a row, Emilus' is at 27 straight games.
- The Riders defence leads the CFL at the halfway point of the season with 22 Sacks made. They last led the CFL in a season in 2019 with 56.
Montreal Alouettes:
- Montréal has won the last two and 3 of the last 4 meetings with the Roughriders but since 2014 Saskatchewan has a slight edge at 9-8. Earlier this year, Montréal overcame a 13-point deficit at half-time shutting out the Riders in the 2nd half to win 20-16.
- Davis Alexander will make the third start of his career. He is 2-0 in his limited playing time. He made his CFL debut against Saskatchewan on July 25 when he came on in relief of an ineffective Caleb Evans.
- Historically, Regina has been the Alouettes' most successful stopping point out West. All-time they are 19-21-1 in visits to Saskatchewan.
- The Alouettes' have dominated 2024 in part by excellent starting points to their drives. They are #1 in the CFL starting possessions on average at their own 40-yard line.
- Running Back Walter Fletcher has 415 rushing yards - just 71 fewer than his previous career season high of 486 in 2022.
- The Als' limit deep throws made against them - thus far Montréal has allowed only 10 completions on throws of 20+ yard depth downfield. The other 8 clubs on average have allowed 22 deep 20+ completions.
- This game features the Top 2 players in Total Defensive Plays. Tyrice Beverette leads with 76, Rolan Milligan has 73. They rank #1-2 in Pass Knockdowns.
