CFL Game Day: Saskatchewan at Winnipeg (September 11)

If you listen carefully you probably can hear the notes, some solid some a little off key, it's time for the Banjo Bowl  and fans in Winnipeg are hoping that the song today is rather different than that of last Sunday.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders, showing off for their returned head coach Ken Miller put a stomping on the swaggering Bombers last week, a convincing victory for the faithful at Mosaic Stadium and a victory that turned around, for a week anyways the despair that was washing over the province at the fate of their Riders.

It's probably way too early to decide if Labour Day weekend was the pivotal point of the season for Saskatchewan, they have quite a bit of ground to make up in a season half gone, but the victory certainly went a good ways towards bringing the Riders back onto the same page.

They come into Winnipeg adding to the arsenal as well, Andy Fantuz who was released by the Chicago Bears a week ago, has decided that his football heart is in Saskatchewan, signing on with the Riders just in time for the trek to Winnipeg, another target for a seemingly rejuvenated Darian Durant to play pass and catch with.

The Bombers will be anxious to put their mistakes behind them from last week and slow down the wild thoughts of Rider Nation that the future is once again theirs to conquer. With a record of 7-2 thus far on the season, the Bombers are still atop the top of the pack in the CFL, they no doubt will wish to add to their win column and continue on in their current placement.

All in all it offers up all the makings of  a good football game, played in front of yet another huge Winnipeg crowd, some of whom may have some musical instruments to share with their visiting acquaintances from the West.

Game time 3 PM MT (4 ET, 1 PT) TSN

Pre Game

Winnipeg Sun-- Blue eyes on Fantuz
Winnipeg Free Press-- Big Blue still true believers
Regina Leader Post-- Riders ready for rematch in Banjo Bowl
Globe and Mail-- Bombers not fazed by Fantuz return to Riders
National Post-- Bombers staying course in Banjo Bowl rematch

Quicks Snap Saskatchewan Roughriders
Quick Snaps Winnipeg Blue Bombers


Post Game


Saskatchewan 45 at Winnipeg 23
Attendance-- 30,518


Winnipeg Sun-- Bombers bowled over
Winnipeg Free Press-- Swaggerville to Swaggernil
Regina Leader Post-- Turnovers spark Roughriders' turnaround
National Post-- Miller leads Riders to second straight win
Globe and Mail-- Bombers QB Pierce hurting after loss to Riders