Roughriders seeking to end road woes in Ottawa

“That’s the key for us: We have to start playing well because the playoffs are getting closer.”

The road hasn’t been kind to the Riders recently, with four straight losses. In those games, Saskatchewan has been outscored 142-40.

Derrick Moncrief, who will play safety instead of strong-side linebacker in Friday’s contest, said he doesn’t believe there’s a trend that has caused the Riders to have the road setbacks.

“Every game is different, whether it’s the location or not,” Moncrief said. “We just have to come out and play football at the end of the day. We are looking forward to this opponent and we’ve got to turn it up going into the playoffs.”

Saskatchewan’s rushing defence has been a big part of the team’s two most-recent losses.

The team gave up 263 yards on the ground in a 51-6 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sept. 9 and followed that up by giving up 265 yards in a 36-27 loss to the Edmonton Elks on Sept. 15.

“It’s all about focus,” Moncrief said. “It’s all about the will to impose your will on the other team and we just have to come out and do that.”

The Riders’ rush defence, which has given up 121.8 yards per game, will take on a Redblacks team that’s averaging 131.1 yards per game, third-most in the CFL. Saskatchewan’s defence will need to find some new contributors due to injuries.

Defensive end Anthony Lanier II (hip), defensive tackle Miles Brown (groin), defensive back Deontai Williams (hamstring), linebacker Justin Herdman-Reed (quads), defensive end Nic Dheilly (foot), defensive back Nelson Lokombo (knee) and linebacker TJ Brunson (ankle) all out for the game.

Canadian Lake Korte-Moore will start at one defensive end spot opposite Pete Robertson, with Demarcus Christmas lining up next to Micah Johnson on the inside.

“That’s pro football. It’s where careers are made,” Johnson said. “That’s the sad part about it. We play the most violent sport there is and injuries are going to happen.

“It’s not a matter if you get a turn, it’s when you get your turn (and) what are you going to do with it.”

On offence, the Riders’ rushing attack will be dealing with a big injury of its own.

Starting running back Jamal Morrow will miss the game due to a knee injury so Frankie Hickson will get the start.

The running game has struggled all season, only averaging 83.4 yards per game, the second-lowest average in the CFL.

“It’s one of those things that is a work in progress and I think the moment you feel like something in your team is not a work in progress is when things start to fall off,” Hickson said. “Ultimately all we are trying to do as an offence and defence and special teams and a team as a whole is improve every single week.”

Hickson and Canadian Thomas Bertrand-Hudon could have some trouble getting the rushing attack going against a tough Ottawa defence that only gives up 77.6 yards per game.

“They are definitely stout. They are a bunch of guys who work hard and a bunch of guys who do their assignment,” Hickson said. “At the end of the day, it’s just another team and anyone can win on any given game day.

“At the end of the day, if you don’t take care of what you’re supposed to during the week, that’s what comes out on game day.”

Helping clear the way this week will be Philip Blake. The 37-year-old veteran missed most of the season with a pectoral injury but was the team’s sixth offensive lineman last week. This week, he’s the starting left guard with Evan Johnson as the sixth man.

The Riders’ passing attack would be happy with a repeat performance from quarterback Jake Dolegala, who threw three touchdowns in the loss to Edmonton.

In four starts this season, Dolegala has thrown for 891 yards, six touchdowns and one interception.

by CJME News

Roughriders seeking to end road woes in Ottawa

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