The Saskatchewan Roughriders are giving offensive lineman Braydon Noll his first chance to start in the CFL against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday.
“It's awesome,” Noll told voice of the Green and White, Dave Thomas. “I've been working towards this goal for a long time, it's really special to get to do this, especially, a rivalry game, in a hostile environment. It's gonna be a lot of fun.”
The six-foot-four, 297-pound offensive lineman began his CFL career in 2022 when the Toronto Argonauts selected him in the fourth round, 35th overall during the CFL Draft. He stayed with the team through 2023 and came to the Riders in 2024. The Orangeville, ON native won a Grey Cup with the Argos in 2022.
When it comes to playing different offensive line positions, Noll believes he can be a Swiss Army Knife.
“It's a lot of work, but it all ties together,” Noll said. “When you learn in one position, you end up having to know what all other positions seem to do already. It is meticulous, but it's not as bad as you'd think.”
The Riders defeated the Toronto Argonauts 27-19 in Week 19 to clinch first place in the West Division. That win gave Saskatchewan the right to host the West Final for the first time since 2019.
“It's a step along the way that we wanna accomplish, but the main goal is still the main goal. We still gotta put in that work and get to where we really wanna be,” Noll explained "We're definitely happy about it, but it's on to the next week.”
When it comes to head coach Corey Mace, it is business as usual for the team on what he expects for them against the Bombers in Week 20 at Princess Auto Stadium.
“The exact same thing that we see and try to achieve every week: detail oriented football, energy, juice, passion, and a physical brand,” Mace said. “ We're still trying to become the team that we wanna become and it doesn't matter who's out there. You're in that locker room, you're part of this team, so the standard doesn't change.”
Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates bring you the pre-game show at 3 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 6 p.m. Listen to our comprehensive coverage on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
