Many have dubbed the Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-2) as “Canada’s team” and over the next week, the football club will play a pair of games on both sides of  the country.

The Roughriders will kick off their two-game trip this week when they meet the BC Lions (4-1) on Saturday.

Following their matchup with the Lions alongside the Pacific Ocean, the green and white will venture east next week alongside the Atlantic Ocean in Halifax, where they will meet the Toronto Argonauts (4-0).

On top of the miles the Roughriders will accumulate in the air, Saskatchewan will meet the top two teams in the Canadian Football League the Lions and Argonauts leading their respective divisions.

Still, Head Coach Craig Dickenson believes the games on the road present an opportunity for the team to bond with the players and time to relax.

“I think the road games allows our guys to get off their feet a little bit more.”

Last season’s trip to the east coast was an eventful one for the Roughriders, with many players feeling the effects of COVID, including defensive back Amari Henderson.

While Henderson would like to forget last year’s experience out east, he’s excited about this year’s opportunity to travel and build a rapport.

“DBs we get up together, we go eat, watch film, whether there’s a game on, we’ll watch that. That gives us time to hone in and build in that comradery as a unit.”

During his time playing college football at Florida, Bryan Cox Jr. didn’t have many opportunities to compete against teams from across the country. Now, as a defensive end in his first season playing up north, he’s excited about the upcoming trip and the chance to face a new challenge.

“I’m definitely getting adjusted to the travel schedule, different games, different venues we got to go to, it’s all apart of the game.”

A homegrown product from Burlington, Ontario, linebacker AJ Allen is prepared for his first cross-country journey.

“Just excited for another opportunity.”

Even though BC Place should present the Roughriders with a noise problem on Saturday that they haven’t experienced in years past, Saskatchewan has found success on the road in Vancouver. The Roughriders and Lions have met 100 times where BC was the home team. Saskatchewan has emerged with wins in 51 of those contests along with a pair of ties.

In their last matchup in 2022, the Roughriders defeated the Lions in BC Place 23-16. BC was victorious in the head to head matchup with a 2-1 record.

Practice Notebook 

• Thursday’s practice was closed before the Roughriders head out west on Friday.
• Among the players that won’t suit up for the green and white on Saturday, defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II (Leg), defensive back Rolan Milligan (Back/Foot), safety Jaxon Ford (Ankle), linebacker Matt Dean (leg) and defensive back Rodney Clemons (Ankle).
• Offensive tackle Brandon Council has been listed as questionable with a finger injury. Council did practice on Tuesday and Wednesday as the team’s starting left tackle.
• Defensive linemen Pete Robertson and Charbel Dabire don’t carry an injury designation ahead of this week’s matchup.
• Brett Lauther will be the kicker on Saturday, he also doesn’t have an injury designation.
• Defensive tackle Micah Johnson will be in the Roughriders lineup despite not practicing the past couple of days.