With a convincing week one victory under their belt, the Saskatchewan Roughriders perhaps have begun the road of reassurance in Riderville for 2012.
The Riders overwhelmed the Hamilton Tiger Cats in Hamilton's home opener last Friday, this weekend the Riders open up the home schedule with the Edmonton Eskimos arriving in town, no doubt quite aware that Darian Durant will be feeding off of the season debut of last week.
Durant had a fairly impressive kick off to the 2012 campaign, leaving behind the troubles of last season far in the prairie dust, both by air and on the ground the Rider pivot led the charge, backed up impressively by the team's defensive corps which shut down the highly touted Tiger Cat offence .
Both will turn their attention to the Green and Gold on Sunday, a team which while rebuilding in 2012 always proves to be a challenge for the Riders.
Edmonton, which survived an error plagued season opener last week with the Argonauts, will be looking to build on their winning start, Steven Jyles, who has been tasked to help rebuild the Eskimos in the now post Ricky Ray era, had a fairly decent debut in the Eskimo colours, the shadow of Ray looming large upon his return to Commonwealth last weekend.
This week, Jyles will gain a bit of insight into the ancient battles of the Riders and the Esks, should he come out of Mosaic Field with a victory, he'll be adding to the confidence level of a team looking to move forward from last season and return to the days of frequent Grey Cup appearances.
Likewise, should Durant and the Riders prove to carry the day, the ghosts of 2011's disastrous season will be fading further into the background of the Rider landscape.
It may be early in the season, but a Rider / Eskimo match up always seems to bring out the kind of drama that a late season showdown demands, a preview perhaps of what we may see later into November.
Game Time 7 PM ET (5 CT) 4 PT Mosaic Field (TSN)
Edmonton 1 at Saskatchewan 17 (31,459)
Pre Game
Globe and Mail-- Roughriders players and coaches preaching renewal in young season
National Post-- Roughriders have chance to erase poor record against Western foes
Regina Leader Post-- Riders look to re-establish home-field advantage
Edmonton Journal-- Eskimos remain wary of Roughriders versatile defence
Edmonton Sun-- Durant, Dressler a dynamic duo
TSN-- Roughriders hots Eskimos in Home opener on TSN
Team Backgrounders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Edmonton Eskimos
Post Game
CFL.ca-- Game Recap
Globe and Mail-- Roughriders' defence runs wild in 17-1 win over Eskimos
National Post-- Roughriders stifle Eskimos offence in 17-rout
Regina Leader Post-- Roughriders roll over Eskimo
Edmonton Journal-- Eskimos offence can barely muster a sputter in a loss to Riders
Edmonton Sun-- Eskimos serve up a dud
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