FIVE KEY MATCHUPS

MITCHELL GALE VS. REDBLACKS DEFENCE

As a CFL quarterback, Roughriders starter Mitchell Gale has completed 26 of 51 pass attempts for 347 yards and three touchdowns ... in his career. He also didn’t have the benefit of training camp with the Green Riders, as he was acquired from the Argos less than three weeks ago. Expect Redblacks defenders to present multiple alignments and to blitz frequently.

GREG ELLINGSON VS. ED GAINEY

Eight months ago, Gainey became “the other guy” in a bit of CFL playoff history. He was the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ defensive back who was assigned to cover Ellingson on the deep pass that the Redblacks receiver turned into a game-winning 93-yard touchdown pass that won the East Division final. He signed with the Roughriders as a free agent during the off-season. Ellingson is coming off a nine-catch, 218-yard performance against the Argos last week.

TRISTAN JACKSON VS. ROUGHRIDERS SPECIAL TEAMS

Jackson last week became the first Redblacks player to return a kick for a touchdown with his 75-yard runback of a punt against the Argos. He’s averaging 14.8 yards per punt return and 15.8 yards per kickoff return. The Roughriders’ corresponding figures are 10.8 yards per opponent’s punt return, fourth-best among the nine CFL teams, and a league-worst 28.9 yards per kickoff coverage return.

CURTIS STEELE VS. DAMASO MUNOZ AND DAVID HINDS

Steele is averaging a creditable 5.4 yards per rush for Saskatchewan, but he has just 22 carries in three games, reflecting the Roughriders’ playing-from-behind style in late-game situations. Linebackers Munoz (22 tackles) and Hinds (16) have primary run-stopping responsibility for the Redblacks

SIRVINCENT ROGERS AND JAKE SILAS VS. JUSTIN CAPICCIOTTI AND A.C. LEONARD

The Redblacks offence depends on having time for the quarterback and for receivers to run open, so tackles Rogers and Silas must do their part again. Pass rush has been a Roughriders weakness, though. Capicciotti, who had double-digit sack totals in two seasons with Ottawa, has zero, and both sacks by fellow defensive end Leonard came in the season opener against Toronto.