Brooks expects Mosaic to be ‘rocking’

VANCOUVER Mic’hael Brooks has always been a spectator when it comes to the CFL’S Labour Day weekend festivities.

The veteran defensive tackle spent three seasons with the B.C. Lions (201517) before signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders June 24. The Lions don’t have a natural rival for Labour Day weekend games, so Brooks hasn’t been able to experience the excitement.

That changes Sunday when the Riders square off against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium in the sold-out Labour Day Classic.

“It’s going to be fun and I can’t wait to get in front of that crowd,” Brooks said after Saturday’s 24-21 win over the host Lions. “We know that Mosaic is going to be loud and rocking.”

The Labour Day experiences of Riders quarterback Zach Collaros have been limited to his time with the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-cats, whose rivalry is traditionally accentuated during the long weekend.

He is looking forward to his first taste of what it’s like to be involved in a Reginabased Labour Day Classic.

“(The Riders-blue Bombers) game seems to be a whole different animal,” Collaros said. “I’ve been hearing about it for the last couple of weeks around town and it’s going to be really cool. I’m sure the gameday atmosphere is going to be incredible.”

The atmosphere will be enhanced by the fact the Riders head into the contest with impressive wins in their last two games.

They beat the Calgary Stampeders Aug. 19, handing them their first loss of the season. Then came the win in Vancouver.

“Beating B.C. is bigger than beating Calgary because that’s two games in a row,” Riders offensive tackle Thaddeus Coleman said. “It’s also the way we beat the Lions (with a lastminute defensive stand) and this might be the momentum boost we need for the rest of the season.”