Bombers expecting usual battle against Riders

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This article was published 01/09/2018 (2610 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

REGINA — The buildup to today’s Labour Day Classic between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders has fans of both teams expecting a heated battle between the Prairie rivals.

But though that excitement started to spill into the streets Saturday, as thousands took part in the festivities around town, there was a much more subdued mood for those taking the field. Both teams understand the magnitude of this weekend, with the winner earning sole possession of third place in the West Division, but neither seem all that interested in adding any extra pressure to what should already be an emotionally charged game.

“It’s going to be absolutely mayhem in here,” Bombers running back Andrew Harris said Saturday at Mosaic Stadium. “I’ve got a bunch of friends coming in from Winnipeg as well and a lot of Bombers fans will be here. Just the blend of the rivalry and the crowd noise and the excitement and the fact that it’s well into the season now, it’s definitely something that we’re looking forward to.

“The biggest thing though is it’s between two Western opponents that are closely ranked up in the standings. Getting a win tomorrow would be huge for us. All the rivalry and the hype leading up to this week has to be set aside.”

The Bombers (5-5) are coming off back-to-back losses, blown out by the Ottawa Redblacks and Calgary Stampeders. While Winnipeg’s defence has been torched for more than 1,000 combined net yards of offence the past two games, it’s Harris and the Bombers’ offence that remain under the microscope heading into today.

Winnipeg still averages the most points per game as an offence, but in recent weeks, the inability to move the chains — let alone find the end zone — is a troubling sign, especially in a league where offensive production outweighs any other aspect of the game. The Bombers have scored just 21 and 26 points, respectively, in their past two games.

“It’s such a cliché thing, but this game is a game of inches,” Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols said. “You can take four or five plays, even in last week’s game, and the outcome is completely different. It’s really what this game at this level comes down to and so it’s just staying focused for four quarters and making sure that you don’t make those mistakes or you don’t make those plays that are the game-changing ones and make sure they go your way. You come out, play hard and do your job and you never know when that game-changing play is going to be, so be ready at all times to make it when it’s available for you.”

The Bombers are likely to be without veteran receiver Weston Dressler for a third straight game. Dressler has been sidelined with a lower-body injury he suffered in a Week 9 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He didn’t participate in practice this week but has been progressing well. Head coach Mike O’Shea ruled out the possibility that Dressler might be eased back in with a limited role against the Roughriders, meaning if he does play, he’ll be starting.

“If Weston’s available, he’s on and going,” O’Shea said. “You don’t take a guy who has as much experience as he has and keep him down. He’s got to play.”

If Dressler is unable to go, that will mean Corey Washington will earn his first CFL start — and first professional game since suiting up for the New York Giants in 2014. At 6-4 and 208 pounds, Washington brings size to the receiver’s group and is expected to line up on the outside, meaning Darvin Adams would move inside.

“We have faith in all of our guys. Whoever is in there is going to go out and win their battles and make plays,” Nichols said. “That’s what you play this game for and what you’re paid to do and whatever crew is out there, that’s who we’re riding with. We’re going to go out and guys are going to have opportunities to make plays and it just comes down to that: just make them.”

The Roughriders are playing some of their best football of late and will push for a third straight victory after wins over the B.C. Lions and Stampeders.

General manager and head coach Chris Jones still doesn’t feel his team is where it needs to be. He also doesn’t put too much stock into the fact the Roughriders have won 12 of the past 13 Labour Day games between the two clubs.

“We have not arrived. Don’t anoint us the Grey Cup champions,” Jones said. “We’ve got a lot to do. We’re at the midway point and we’re one game over .500. We’ve got a tough stretch down the next half of the year.”

BOMBERS STILL A CONFIDENT GROUP

Nichols insists that despite a two-game losing streak, the Bombers remain a confident group

“I think everybody else on the outside comes up with a ton of different storylines or whatever everyone wants to talk about, but this team is extremely focused and we worked hard all week,” the Bombers quarterback said. “Everyone understands what this game is and understands that we need to come in and play a complete team game to come out of here with a win. Obviously, it’s an important game — we treat every game as the same importance level. You want to walk out of there with a win with your teammates and it’s for sure it’s going to take everyone doing their job tomorrow to get that done.”

NICHOLS BETTER THAN TAPE SHOWS

Nichols has taken his share of licks over the past couple weeks for his inconsistent play on the field. The Bombers No. 1 pivot has yet to throw for 300 passing yards in a game, and over his past two outings, has as many touchdowns as interceptions, with three apiece.

Not only does Nichols have the confidence from his own teammates, but a few Roughriders players also believe he’s capable of turning things around.

“Look at Winnipeg’s record before Matt Nichols got there,” Jones said. “They’ve done some good things since he’s been there.”

Nichols is 25-12 as a starter for the Bombers. Roughriders linebacker and former Bombers teammate, Sam Hurl, saw first hand just how good Nichols can be, watching him guide the Bombers to 23 wins, compared to 13 losses over the past two seasons.

“He’s a great quarterback and they’ve got a good offence over there. They run it well and they’ve got good communication between that group,” Hurl said.

“It’s just a matter of them getting things clicking a bit more and it’s a matter for us to make sure that doesn’t happen this game.”

WALKING WOUNDED

Offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick (knee) and Jackson Jeffcoat (lower body) will miss today’s game. Both occupy a spot on the six-game injury list, with Jeffcoat added this week, and will likely be out for the next couple of weeks.

Maurice Leggett will also miss the game. Leggett was listed on the 46-man roster for the game, but O’Shea said he never made the trip, before downplaying his injury.

“Something happened in practice and he couldn’t finish,” O’Shea said. “Not anything (serious) that I know of.”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

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