Roughriders announce 2018 schedule

MURRAY MCCORMICK

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have delivered an early Christmas present to Rider Nation.

The Riders and the CFL revealed their 2018 schedule on Thursday. The league has typically announced its schedule between mid-February and early March.

“For years, our fans have asked to have the schedule released as early as possible, preferably in time to consider buying season tickets as gifts for family and friends,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said.

“We are pleased today to deliver on that request.”

This year’s schedule will include three bye weeks for the first time — hence the earlier start.

The 2017 regular season began on June 22.

The Riders’ 2018 schedule is as follows, with Saskatchewan times listed:

PRE-SEASON

Sunday, May 27: Saskatchewan at Edmonton, 3 p.m.

Friday, June 8: Calgary at Saskatchewan, 7:30 p.m.

REGULAR SEASON

Friday, June 15: Toronto at Saskatchewan, 7 p.m.

Thursday, June 21: Saskatchewan at Ottawa, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 30: Montreal at Saskatchewan, 7 p.m.

Thursday, July 5: Hamilton at Saskatchewan, 7 p.m.

Thursday, July 19: Saskatchewan at Hamilton, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 28: Calgary at Saskatchewan, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 2: Saskatchewan at Edmonton, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Aug 19: Calgary at Saskatchewan, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 25: Saskatchewan at B.C., 8 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 2: Winnipeg at Saskatchewan, 1 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 8: Saskatchewan at Winnipeg, 2 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 15: Ottawa at Saskatchewan, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 22: Saskatchewan at Toronto, 5 p.m.

Sunday, Sept, 30: Saskatchewan at Montreal, 11 a.m.

Monday, Oct. 8: Edmonton at Saskatchewan, 2 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 13: Saskatchewan at Winnipeg, noon.

Saturday, Oct. 20: Saskatchewan at Calgary, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 27: B.C. at Saskatchewan, 5 p.m.

Grey Cup is Nov. 25 in Edmonton.

NOTE: Jarious Jackson, who spent the past two seasons as the Riders’ quarterbacks coach, was named the B.C. Lions’ offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach Thursday.