A lon-n-n-n-n-n-ng wait is nearly over for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
A 34-day gap between home pre-season action and the team’s regular-season home opener is to conclude on Sunday, when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats provide the opposition at Mosaic Stadium (5 p.m., TSN, CKRM).
Practices aside, the Roughriders have not been showcased at Mosaic Stadium since May 20, when they defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 25-12 in the CFL’s first pre-season game of 2024.
Saskatchewan has subsequently played in Edmonton (where the Roughriders concluded their pre-season slate on May 25 and opened their regular season on June 8) and Hamilton (June 16).
Last Sunday’s 33-30 victory at Tim Hortons Field has enabled Saskatchewan to carry a 2-0 record into its home opener for the first time in franchise history.
This weekend’s game will also mark Corey Mace’s regular-season home debut as the Roughriders’ Head Coach.
“I want this thing roaring,” he said at Mosaic Stadium.
“I’ve heard crazy stuff about our fan base. Rider Nation, we’ve been feeling you for months. We’re just freakin’ pumped to be here.
“That first Bring ’Em Out, I can’t wait to just listen to it. I’m really excited. I’m hoping this place is as packed as possible.
“Like I’ve said before, we’re going to do this thing together as a province. It’s going to take every single one of us.”
Until this year, the Roughriders had not gone more than four weeks between pre-season and regular-season home games. The highest days-between-games totals are as follows:
34 — May 20-June 23, 2024
28 — May 31-June 28, 2003
27 — June 26-July 23, 1988
25 — June 6-July 1, 2019
24 — June 22-July 16, 1980
24 — June 29-July 23, 1999
The lowest? Seven.
The 2018 Roughriders concluded their pre-season on June 8 at Mosaic Stadium and opened league play at home one week later.
VICTORY WOULD BE SWEEP
A victory on Sunday would give Saskatchewan a fifth successive sweep of a home-and-home set versus Hamilton.
In a back-to-back scenario, the Roughriders have won their past nine games against the Tiger-Cats.
Aug. 19, 2006: Hamilton 15 at Saskatchewan 46 — Kenton Keith had 148 rushing yards and 101 receiving yards.
Aug. 26, 2006: Saskatchewan 51 at Hamilton 8 — Three TD passes for Rocky Butler; Darian Durant’s first career completion (14 yards) and rushing attempt (20).
Oct. 14, 2007: Saskatchewan 40 at Hamilton 23 — Seven receptions, 240 yards and three TDs by Andy Fantuz.
Oct. 21, 2007: Hamilton 11 at Saskatchewan 38 — Kerry Joseph ran for two scores and threw a TD pass to Fantuz.
July 21, 2013: Hamilton 0 at Saskatchewan 37 — Four TD passes by Durant.
July 27, 2013: Saskatchewan 32 at Hamilton 20 — Three TD passes by Drew Willy.
July 5, 2018: Hamilton 13 at Saskatchewan 18 — 34-yard, game-winning TD run by Marcus Thigpen with 1:29 left.
July 19, 2018: Saskatchewan 31 at Hamilton 20 — Thigpen’s only carry produced an 80-yard TD.
June 16, 2024: The Roughriders trailed 30-20 with 5½ minutes left before scoring 13 unanswered points.
The Roughriders and Tiger-Cats split home-and-home sets in 1981 and 2002.
A.J. WILL PLAY
Roughriders running back A.J. Ouellette did not participate in Thursday’s practice. He was also a bystander on Wednesday.
But expect to see him on Sunday.
When Mace was asked whether he was concerned about Ouellette’s availability for the home opener, the response was: “A.J. … he’s Thor. I’m not worried about it. He’ll be just fine.”
Centre Peter Godber was excused from his second successive workout for personal reasons. According to Mace, it is “50-50” as to whether Godber will play on Sunday.
“The plan, if he is there, is easy,” Mace noted. “We’ve got to make sure we cross our T’s and dot our I’s in case he’s not.
“For him right now, the importance is his family and his personal life.”
