STORYLINES TO WATCH
1 Major Problems
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offence is having trouble finding the end zone this season — and that’s putting it mildly. Entering Friday’s game against the host Edmonton Eskimos, the Roughriders were averaging a league-low 18.1 points per game. Through eight games, Saskatchewan has scored a CFL-worst one rushing touchdown and a CFL-worst nine passing TDs. The Roughriders currently are enduring a touchdown drought of 90 minutes, dating back to the final play of the first half of a 19-10 loss to the Calgary Stampeders on Aug. 13. Saskatchewan’s only points in Saturday’s 53-7 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats came courtesy of two Tyler Crapigna field goals and a punt single by Josh Bartel.
2 Dynamic Duo
Eskimos receivers Adarius Bowman and Derel Walker were 1-2 in the CFL’s receiving derby entering the week. Bowman was leading the league in receptions (59) and receiving yards (875) while Walker was second in both categories (58 catches, 837 yards). Bowman is on pace for 1,969 receiving yards this season, while Walker is on pace for a 1,883-yard campaign. The duo must be salivating at the notion of facing a Saskatchewan defence that entered the week ranked eighth in opponents’ passing yards (329.3 yards per game) and ninth in opponents’ average pass (9.7 yards) this season.
3 Road Weary
Saskatchewan is the only CFL team that has yet to win a road game this regular season; it’s 0-4-0 entering Friday’s contest. The Roughriders have been outscored 168-61 in their away games this season, having allowed 53 points in Hamilton on Saturday, 41 in Montreal on July 29, 39 in Edmonton on July 8, and 35 in Calgary on Aug. 4. The Roughriders are 1-17-0 in their last 18 road games (including a playoff loss in 2014) dating back to the 2014 Banjo Bowl.
4 Familiar Territory
Several ex-Eskimos return to Edmonton for the second time in the 2016 regular season and the third time overall. The contingent is led by head coach-GM Chris Jones, whom the Roughriders hired just days after he led the Eskimos to the 2015 Grey Cup title. The list of returning players includes offensive linemen Thaddeus Coleman and Andrew Jones, running back Kendial Lawrence, receiver Shamawd Chambers, defensive lineman Gregory Alexandre, linebacker Otha Foster III and defensive back Kacy Rodgers. Meanwhile, Eskimos receiver Chris Getzlaf faces Saskatchewan for the second time since he was allowed to leave in free agency.
5 Ch-ch-ch-changes
The Roughriders have made six changes to the roster that faced Hamilton on Saturday. The changes include: Cornerback Fred Bennett, who was acquired from Calgary on Aug. 16, making his Roughriders debut in place of Tevaughn Campbell; offensive tackle Xavier Fulton, who hasn’t played since July 22 due to an injured right shoulder, returning to the starting lineup in place of Kennedy Estelle; Nic Demski moving inside to play slotback in place of the injured Rob Bagg; Shane Herbert starting at safety in place of Kevin Francis; and, defensive end Tony Criswell coming off the practice roster to replace the injured A.C. Leonard.