Riders, Ti-Cats set to battle at Mosaic Stadium in CFL action

“He’s for sure a leader. He has a lot of reps under his belt by now. He is going to be able to do everything he needs to do to be able to help them win. They have playmakers that are going to be able to help him.

“They have Kenny (Lawler), Kiondre (Smith) and boys like that so we have to do the same thing we do every week — we have to make sure we don’t give up any explosions and make sure he doesn’t get that feel first,” Sayles said.

Dolegala has 2,953 yards, 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his CFL career.

While Dolegala only has 11 CFL starts to his name, Saskatchewan will have veteran quarterback Trevor Harris making his 200th start.

“Aside from age, I would say it’s a blessing. I am very thankful for this country and this league and what it has helped me develop into as a man. I was telling my wife the other day that I think football has taught me so much as a human and helped me grow as a person and a child of god so it’s something I am thankful for,” Harris said.

“It’s a lot of games.”

While Hamilton linebacker Wynton McManis missed the Ti-Cats’ first three games, the group has been one of the best in the CFL. The Tiger-Cats rank first in a number of defensive categories, including points allowed (98) and opponent net offence (376 yards per game).

“They do a lot with not a lot. They mix it up, they bring different flavours of the week and we know they are going to have different looks for us as every team has done this year,” Harris said.

“We’re just going to go out there and do the best we can.”

The Riders defence has struggled when it comes to getting turnovers this season despite being among the league’s best in previous years. Heading into the contest, the group only has one interception.

“We don’t shy away from that fact. We talk about it all the time every day. For us, we know how crucial turnovers are and we are trying our butts off to try to make them happen but we have to understand that if we are not getting them, what can we do defensively to put us in a position to win games,” Riders head coach Corey Mace said.

“For the most part, we’ve been doing that but games look completely different if we do (get turnovers). I know that everybody, myself included, would like to see more turnovers and interceptions and stuff like that but it’s a long season. They will come — just got to be ready when we do.”

Temperatures are expected to be high for the game, with Environment Canada forecasting a high of 36 C with a humidex of 43.

“It’s about winning before the game. Hydrating enough, fuelling enough during the week and getting your cardio in so you’re used to this weather and testing your body as much as you can to prepare for a game like this,” Riders centre Logan Ferland said.

Saskatchewan will also have running back A.J. Ouellette back for the contest. The rusher has missed the past two games due to an ankle injury.

“Excited to have him back there. Regardless of who is back there, we try to do our jobs to the best of our ability,” Ferland said. “Excited to have him back in the group and you can tell the vibe is just a little different with him back there.”

Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.

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by Britton Gray/CKOM

Riders, Ti-Cats set to battle at Mosaic Stadium in CFL action

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