Cyclists Enter Hostile Environment in Winnipeg | The Canadian News

After opening the season within the friendly confines of Mosaic Stadium, running back William Powell and the Saskatchewan Roughriders head into a very hostile environment.

The Riders (3-1) visit Winnipeg (4-1) Saturday afternoon to complete their Labor Day home and home series with the Banjo Bowl. And IG Field will certainly be rocking out with the Bombers announcing that the contest will be sold out.

“It’s the Banjo Bowl,” Powell told reporters this week. “I hope it’s a hostile environment, I hope it’s a dogfight, I hope it’s a tough football game from kick-off.

“You have to be ready to be physical from the kickoff and you have to be ready to play for four full quarters.”

It will be the first Banjo Bowl game since 2019. The CFL did not host a 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and returned in 2021 with a condensed 14-game campaign.

Winnipeg defeated Saskatchewan 23-8 on Sunday, giving the Riders their first loss of the season. And after starting the year with four home games, the Riders will play seven of their 10 remaining regular-season games on the road.

“We’re just taking it game by game,” Powell said. “We have the same opponent this week, so it’s a great opportunity for us to try to turn the tables.”

Winnipeg’s defense had three sacks and three interceptions against Saskatchewan. The Bombers offense also had the ball for more than 34 minutes and racked up 370 yards at the net, 94 more than the Riders.

“(Winnipeg’s defense) has a lot of versatile guys who have a lot of different abilities,” Powell said. “They just give you a lot of different looks… you have to be prepared for anything.

“We have to raise our game one level and execute.”

Powell said the Riders’ offense had opportunities against the Winnipeg defense on Sunday, but failed to take advantage of them. If the opportunity strikes in the rematch, Saskatchewan must be ready to seize it, Powell added.

“We feel like there are opportunities, whether it’s in the passing game or the running game,” he said. “We feel like we leave behind some opportunities and we feel like there are more opportunities if we plan and execute correctly.

“I wouldn’t say he’s concentrating on the running game or the passing game. We just have to go out there and execute and when those opportunities arise, we have to seize them. “

Choose: Winnipeg.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Toronto Argonauts (Friday night)

In Toronto, Hamilton (2-2) is looking for a third straight win with Dane Evans in center. Evans threw two TD strikes, while Frankie Williams returned a punt for a touchdown and Simoni Lawrence scored on an interception return in the Ticats’ 32-19 home win on Monday. It is the second of four meetings this season between the two teams. Nick Arbuckle makes a third straight start for the Argos (2-2), who return to BMO Field for the first time since defeating Winnipeg 30-23 in their first home game on Aug. 21.

Pick: Hamilton.

Calgary Stampeders versus Edmonton Elks (Saturday night)

In Edmonton, quarterback Trevor Harris earned his first win in 12 career games against Calgary on Monday, throwing four TD strikes in a 32-20 win at McMahon Stadium. That also snapped the Elks’ eight-game losing streak on Labor Day. Rookie Jake Maier had a third straight 300-yard pass effort for the Stampeders (1-4), who have lost three straight games. Veteran Bo Levi Mitchell (fractured fibula) resumed practice last week, but did not dress for Monday’s competition.

Pick: Edmonton.

Ottawa Redblacks vs. BC Lions (Saturday night)

In Vancouver, the Lions (2-2) are out of goodbye. Their last game was a 24-12 road win over Ottawa (1-4) on August 28. The time off should benefit veteran starter Michael Reilly, who has battled elbow ailment all season. Reilly threw for 301 yards and a touchdown in the victory at TD Place. The Redblacks lost at home 51-29 to Montreal on Friday night and are ranked last overall in offensive points scored (14.8 per game) and offensive points allowed (26.0).

Pick: BC

Last week: 2-2.

In general: 8-11.

This Canadian Press report was first published on September 9, 2021.