The Saskatchewan Roughriders are set to face a friendly foe when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats visit on Sunday.
Tiger-Cats coach Scott Milanovich has named former Rider Jake Dolegala as his starting quarterback for this weekend’s tilt. Dolegala, who appeared in 15 games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, replaces the injured Bo Levi Mitchell behind centre for Hamilton.
“Another quarterback who can push the ball down the field,” Roughriders coach Corey Mace told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. “He’s had some experience playing here.
“One of the livest arms across the league. He can make all those throws. You’re just going to have to see him now in Scott’s system. Scott’s done an incredible job with a multitude of quarterbacks throughout his career. We’re expecting the best version of Dolegala.”
Dolegala, 29, had his best CFL campaign in 2023 for the Riders when he completed 216 of 333 passes for 2,641 yards, throwing 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The 6-foot-7, 242-pound native of Hamburg, N.Y., then moved on to the B.C. Lions before spending last season with the Ti-Cats.
“Lots of arm strength,” said Roughriders counterpart Trevor Harris, Dolegala’s teammate in 2023. “Smart football mind. He moves around better than maybe you think. A big fella as well.”
Mitchell was stretchered off the field in the third quarter of the Tiger-Cats’ 14-13 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last Sunday, a defeat that dropped them to 2-2 on the season.
Mitchell, the eighth-leading passer in CFL history, had ankle surgery the next day. Milanovich told reporters in Hamilton on Wednesday that Mitchell’s injury might be season-ending.
“Across the country, anybody watching that game, it was tough,” said Mace, Mitchell’s teammate in Calgary during his playing days. “As a competitor, you never want anything bad to happen to anybody. But as somebody that you shared a locker room with, it’s just as tough to see. You feel for him. You feel for his family. You feel for his teammates and everybody that’s involved. You never want to see that. You obviously hope that he’s OK.”
Added Harris: “It’s unfortunate for the CFL and for them. Your heart goes out to him. As a competitor, I know how much work you put in. It’s frustrating, but I know he’ll rehab hard and get back to the field as soon as possible.”
The Riders had been planning for a couple options for Hamilton’s starting pivot until Dolegala was tabbed on Wednesday.
Former Edmonton Elk Tre Ford entered the game against the Blue Bombers following Mitchell’s injury and connected on three of seven passes for 12 yards, while making an interception. Dolegala also got playing time and had two incomplete passes.
Despite Dolegala being scheduled to start, Mace isn’t scrapping his plan of attack of Ford.
“Any time Tre’s on the roster, you should probably prepare for him to come out and done the things he’s capable of, which is obviously a very unique skill set,” Mace said. “We’ve got to be prepared for everything. But it’s not just those guys. They’ve got really good players.
“We’ve got to be at our best.”
