RIDERS TAKE ON BOMBERS
New stadium hosts first Classic
Weston Dressler is a true-Blue Bomber.
The extent to which the veteran slotback has moved on from his tenure with the Saskatchewan Roughriders was evident when he was asked for a favourite memory from the Labour Day Classic. Dressler didn’t list any of the eight Labour Day Classics in which he played with the Riders before being released early in 2016 and eventually signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“Yeah, last year,” Dressler said in advance of Sunday’s 54th Labour Day Classic (2 p.m., Mosaic Stadium). “It was just a special day for me and it was unlike any other game that I had played in. We came in and we won a football game in a rowdy environment. For me, that was a pretty special memory.”
A 42-yard field goal by Justin Medlock on the final play gave the Blue Bombers a 28-25 victory over the Riders, snapping the Green and White’s 11-game winning streak in the Labour Day Classic.
Dressler did his part in his first and only game as a visitor at old Mosaic Stadium, registering seven receptions for 77 yards.
There was some uncertainty about whether Dressler will take part in the first Labour Day Classic at new Mosaic Stadium due to an undisclosed injury he suffered July 27 against the Montreal Alouettes.
However, Dressler has been activated from the six-game injured list — after being sidelined for four contests — and is expected to play Sunday in Regina.
“I targeted every game that I
missed as the game that I was going to come back,” Dressler said. “After I couldn’t play last week in the game against Montreal, I targeted this game. It was every week that it was the next game and this week wasn’t any different.”
The Blue Bombers are familiar with new Mosaic Stadium, having already played there in the preseason and on July 1.
On Canada Day, Dressler had six receptions for a game-high 124 yards and scored two thirdquarter touchdowns 25 seconds apart as the Blue Bombers edged the Riders 43-40 in overtime.
The Riders were a different team then. For example, the secondary was still coming together, as evidenced by the breakdowns that led to Dressler being wide open for both touchdowns.
“We know what we did wrong there and they were simple mistakes that turned into big problems for us,” Riders defensive back Ed Gainey said.
“We’re far away from that. There isn’t any point in looking back. We want to look forward and continue to get better.”
The entire defence has taken huge strides since that regularseason home opener, especially in the Riders’ victories over the B.C. Lions (41-8 on Aug. 5) and Edmonton Eskimos (54-31 on Aug. 25).
The Riders had five interceptions (including a franchise-record four by Gainey) versus the Lions and two picks against the Eskimos. During the two-game tear, the Roughriders have returned three interceptions for touchdowns — by Gainey (against B.C.), Jovon Johnson and Kacy Rodgers II. Johnson and Rodgers both had a pick-six during the third quarter in Edmonton.
Saskatchewan had league lows in turnovers (five) and quarterback pressures (31) while winning just two of its first six games. The Riders have since improved their record to 4-4 while forcing 12 turnovers and registering 20 quarterback pressures over the past two games.
“Our secondary is far more experienced than we were in the first couple weeks of the season,” Johnson said. “It has helped us because guys understand route concepts and defensive philosophies and how to play with one another. It gives us a better chance of winning.”
Dressler expects tighter coverage on Sunday.
“I’m sure they have corrected those mistakes because the defence is playing at a really high level right now,” said Dressler, whose Blue Bombers carry a 7-2 record and five-game winning streak into the Labour Day Classic.
Johnson concurs, noting it is unlikely Dressler will be wide open for touchdowns this time.
“I don’t foresee that happening, especially leaving him uncovered,” Johnson said, “Dressler is a heck of a player and he’s been a tremendous player throughout his career. We have nothing but the most respect for Dressler and the Blue Bombers, but we still have a game to play and we believe in ourselves.”
I’m sure they have corrected those mistakes because the defence is playing at a really high level right now.