2:03 p.m
The Rider Broadcast Network pre-game show is currently on the air, and you can catch Teagan Witko and Wes Cates and all sorts of special guests in the lead-up to game time. The Voice of the Roughriders Dave Thomas and analyst Luc Mullinder take over from there, with kick-off set for 5 p.m.
2:02 p.m.
Games between the Roughriders and Elks in Edmonton in recent years have often seen supporters of the Green and White almost outnumber the home team, but that won’t be the case tonight.
Football fans in Edmonton have finally realized what they have, and a crowd of over 30,000 is expected at Commonwealth Stadium, leading to the upper deck being opened for the first time since 2023.
So we should have a pretty good atmosphere on our hands tonight!
2:01 p.m
It’s going to be another warm one in Edmonton, with a temperature of 27 C and humidex of 31 C expected at game time. Winds will be out of the south at 20 km/h and gusting to 40 k/m, switching to the northwest as the game progresses. There’s also a good chance of rain in the forecast for later in the contest, with a 60 per cent chance of precipitation.
Now for the news we’ve all been expecting and dreading this summer.
While air quality conditions from forest fire smoke are currently at 5 (Moderate Risk) in Edmonton according to the Environment Canada Air Quality Health Index, it’s expected to rise as high as 7 (High Risk) by game time. That puts the contest in jeopardy of being delayed if observable conditions are bad enough, or if things continue to deteriorate and hit the 8 (High Risk) range.
So we’ll have to wait and see how things turn out, but hopefully stay clear enough to get the game in without delay.
2 p.m.
It’s the rematch everyone has been talking about, it’s another battle between the top two teams in the West Division, it’s the Saskatchewan Roughriders taking on the Edmonton Elks tonight at Commonwealth Stadium!
You’d pretty much have to be living under a rock if you have heard about this one.
The two teams engaged in one of the best games you’ll ever see in the CFL last Thursday at Mosaic Stadium, with the clubs combining for nearly a thousand yards of offence in Edmonton’s walk-off 36-34 victory.
Trevor Harris had 386 yards passing and four touchdowns in the narrow loss, with Kian Schaffer-Baker having the best game of his career with eight catches for 185 yards.
Thing is, Edmonton’s Cody Fajardo absolutely went off, throwing for 510 yards and finding Austin Mack for a couple of long-range majors.
Much of the discussion this week in Riderville has been how to stop that passing game from striking again, and we’re only a few hours away from finding out if all the planning and preparation in that direction has had an effect.
Edmonton comes into the contest with a 6-1 record, Saskatchewan is second in the division with a 4-2 mark.
The biggest news heading into the contest is who won’t be playing for the Roughriders, as standout running back A.J. Ouellette has been moved to the six-game ilst with a knee injury. Quali Conley gets his second start of the season in his place.
The Riders will also be without all-star defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr., as he also moves to the six game with a knee injury.
Saskatchewan’s depth chart:
Edmonton’s depth chart:
