INSIDE THE Xs AND Os

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/09/2009 (5926 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VEGAS LINE: The Roughriders are favoured by 7 points.

BLUE VS. RIDERS

Since 1946: The Bombers are 112-80-8 vs. the Riders over the last 63 years but are just 3-7 in their last 10 meetings.

ROSTER UPDATE:

The Bombers have made a couple of roster adjustments with DE Fred Perry (broken arm, gone for season) and DE Riall Johnson (ankle) both out. Dorian Smith returns, but will move out to end after playing seven games at D-tackle. Replacing Johnson on the roster is Canadian WR Michael Hyman, who makes his first CFL start. Also on the mend are WR Arjei Franklin (ankle), S Ian Logan (hamstring) and CB James Johnson (turf toe).

JUICY NUMBERS:

Bomber kicker Alexis Serna opened the season two of four in field-goal attempts, but has hit 15 of his last 16. All three of his misses have been from 46 yards and longer… The Bombers are 24-4 when leading at halftime over the last four years… Saskatchewan has won its last five vs. Winnipeg in Regina… The Riders have 11 players on their roster who were born and raised in Saskatchewan… The Bombers are 3-2 with LB/S Siddeeq Shabazz in the lineup, 0-3 without him… Winnipeg’s turnover ratio has made a dramatic turnaround since this point last year. The Bombers were sitting at minus-8 through eight games last season, but are now at plus-10… Today will mark the first start for Darian Durant against the Bombers. Michael Bishop started both games last year for the Riders, leading them to back-to-back wins over Winnipeg.

FYI:

Former Bomber return man Jason Armstead will return kicks for the Riders today and management hopes he can provide a spark for a kick-return game that has been horrible this season.

"We brought in Jason just to do that very thing," said Rider head coach Ken Miller. "We feel like he is a talented young man. He’s motivated and has a lot of confidence. We’re counting on him to change our field position and our return game."

QUOTABLE:

"You come out on this grass field with the feathers and mosquitoes and it’s just ugly out here. It’s an adverse situation. It’s a hostile environment. Nobody wants you to be here, even the insects and the birds leaving all their droppings on the field. Everything here just says, ‘Get the hell out of our province and our town. There’s nothing we’d rather do than make this as short and sweet a trip as possible. We don’t want to be here, either." — Bomber defensive tackle Doug Brown in an interview with Regina’s CJME radio station on Saturday.

OLD HOME WEEK:

The Bombers have nine former Riders on their 46-man roster: QB Michael Bishop; O-linemen Glen January and Steve Morley, WR Adarius Bowman, LS Chris Cvetkovic, LB Shawn Gallant, CB James Johnson, DE Fred Perry and CB Jovon Johnson.

A no-go: Rider star receiver Andy Fantuz will likely not suit up today, although head coach Ken Miller wouldn’t confirm as much at his press conference. Fantuz, who has been at the centre of a few headlines this week amid reports he hasn’t signed a contract extension because he wants to pursue the NFL — which he denies — will miss his fifth game with a torn hamstring.

— Tait