CFL Game Day: Calgary at Saskatchewan (September 23)

The Stampeders will be playing to keep in the race for the CFL Western title, the Riders are playing for jobs.

That is the narrative, at least on the Saskatchewan side, that previews the Stamps and Riders at Mosaic Field on Sunday. Rider head coach Corey Chamblin, sending a shot across the bow of his squad that the lack of effort of some over the last month or so has been noted and change could be in the chilly fall winds of Saskatchewan.

The Riders have suffered a worrisome skid through August, with only a pair of victories over the struggling Blue Bombers as one of the few bright spots, an offense that went cold when the race in the West was a competitive war, the Rider having since fallen back of both the Stamps and Lions in the race for first.

Calgary on the other hand has grown stronger as the summer came to an end, a 4 game winning streak allaying the fears of Stampeder fans that the season was all but lost, the Stamps now nipping at the heels of the West leaders BC, Sunday they'll be looking to put a bit of distance between themselves and the Riders who at 5 and 6 on the year are now four points off of Calgary's second place pace.

The Riders should have Darian Durant back in the lineup, the Saskatchewan QB had been sidelined with injury for the last few weeks, leaving Drew Willy to gain his first start in the CFL last week, a 28-17 loss to Montreal a score that seems closer than the actual game provided for.

The Rider comeback was more a case of Montreal getting lazy and making mistakes than any kind of Rider gut check, still, for a rookie QB the valuable playing time could come in handy later on this year and on into the next.

The West is a two tier race at the moment, the Stamps and Lions looking very strong week in week out, the Riders and Eskies more of a hit and miss thing, one is never really sure which team is going to show up when kick off arrives.

The key thing for the Riders at the moment should be preserving third place and a playoff spot, a battle they seemingly will wage with the Eskimos through til November.

There is the chance of course for a crossover spot in the east, considering the struggles of Winnipeg and Hamilton of late, but a secure spot is clearly preferable than the seemingly lottery like odds of the crossover path.

The Riders can aid their own cause with a strong game Sunday in front of the usual packed house of the faithful.

Game Time 2 PM ST, 4 ET, 1 PT Mosaic Field TSN

Calgary 25 at Saskatchewan 30  (33,427)

Pre Game

CFL.ca-- Video Preview

Globe and Mail-- Stampeders star Cornish not bothered by Chamblin's brash guarantee
National Post-- Roughriders coach Corey Chamblin putting jobs on the line against Stampeders
Calgary Sun-- Stamps expect Roughriders' Durant to be 100%
Calgary Herald-- Glenn has a case to be Stamps' MVP
Regina Leader Post-- Durant, Riders ready to roll against Stampeders


Team Backgrounders

Calgary Stampeders
Saskatchewan Roughriders

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights

Globe and Mail-- Riders victory over Stamps tightens the race in CFL West
National Post-- Roughriders contain Jon Cornish en route to fulfilling victory
Calgary Herald-- Riders stymie Stamps, halt Horsemen's winning streak
Calgary Sun-- Missed call may have cost Calgary Stampeders against Saskatchewan...
Regina Leader-Post-- Defence comes through for Riders' head coach