Your Bombers briefs ahead of today’s game

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This article was published 27/06/2015 (3760 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Demski right at home in Regina

REGINA — Former University of Manitoba Bisons receiver Nic Demski has quickly found himself a home here in Regina since the Riders drafted him sixth overall in the CFL draft in May.

Demski will be on the Riders 42-man roster when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers tonight and will see plenty of action against his hometown team, running back kicks for the Riders and also seeing reps as a receiver.

Demski — who the Bombers talked openly about possibly drafting with their second overall pick last month before ultimately choosing OL Sukh Chungh instead — said Friday that about 25 friends and family will be making the drive this weekend from Winnipeg to watch him make his professional debut at Mosaic Field.

Asked if all those Winnipeggers would be wearing green, Demski didn’t hesitate. “Yeah,” he laughed. “They better be.”

Demski said he is trying not to let everything going on this week overwhelm him.

“It’s special of course, but at that same time I’ve got to keep it like any other game. If I let the emotions get ahead of me, that won’t be good for me. So I just have to settle down and act like it’s just regular season Week One.”

Riders head coach Cory Chamblin said he’s been thrilled how quickly Demski has transitioned from the university to pro game.

“He’s been phenomenal. He’s done some good things in the last couple of pre-season games and he’s done some good things in practice. He’s versatile and has explosiveness.

“It will be good to see him in a live game.”

Rowdy Mosaic Crowd

The Bombers flew into Regina on two small charter planes.

The team was late arriving for a scheduled media availability at Mosaic Field due to some stormy weather across the prairies that delayed the flights.

Bombers QB Drew Willy, who played for the Riders for two seasons before joining the Bombers prior to the 2014 season, was asked what the Mosaic crowd was like when he switched sidelines last season.

“There’s always people talking. Most people were pretty respectful to me… but there’s always a few fans who’ve been drinking all day and getting after it. Which is fine. I totally get it. It’s their fan experience, they’re allowed to do what they want.

“It makes it fun. It’s a fun environment to be in. You’ve just got to enjoy it as a player.”

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Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said receiver Rory Kohlert — who missed the last two days of practice with an undisclosed injury — made the trip and was “feeling better.”

O’Shea said he remained hopeful Kohlert would play. Kris Bastien would step into the starting job if Kohlert cannot go.

DB Lin-J Shell — acquired just this week — is also on the roster in place of Don Unamba. O’Shea said he’s been impressed how fast Shell learned the defence and special teams this week. “He’s very versatile,” said O’Shea.