Week 5 of the Canadian Football League season will kick off in Regina on Thursday night. The Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-0) host the Toronto Argonauts (2-1) at Mosaic Stadium on ERAs night.
The hometown Riders are as of this moment a 4.5 point underdogs in this one, primarily due to the unknown that is new starting Quarterback Shea Patterson. Patterson, will be making his first ever CFL start, as the Green and White placed Trevor Harris on the six-game injured list over the weekend after suffering a moderate MCL sprain.
The Riders will also be without receiver Shawn Bane Jr. who is away from the team dealing with a personal matter this week.
Defensively the Riders are healthy and are dressing the same starting 12 that stymied Hamilton last time out.
For Toronto, Quarterback Cameron Dukes remains at the helm of the boatmen’s offence. He has completed over 76% of his passes this season, however, he has thrown the ball fewer times than any other QB-1. That said, you don’t have to throw the ball when you have a back like Ka’Deem Carey in the backfield. The first year Argo, after signing from Calgary in the off-season, leads the league in rushing with 230 yards on the ground in 44 opportunities.
Defensively the Argos are nicked up. Toronto will be without Leonard Johnson and Quincy Mauger in the secondary while also out with injury is defensive lineman Derek Parish and Ralph Holley.
Let’s Go Inside The Numbers:
1 – first career CFL start for Rider Quarterback Shea Patterson.
1-4 – the last five Roughrider Quarterbacks are 1-4 in their first starts with Saskatchewan. Trevor Harris won his debut.
1 – this is the first meeting for Rider RB A.J. Ouellette against his former team.
1 – also the first meeting for Corey Mace vs. Ryan Dinwiddie as head coaches in the CFL. Of course, both worked together on the Toronto staff prior to working together in Calgary.
1 – this is the first game away from BMO Field for Toronto this season.
1 – the Argos are first in rushing yards with 136.3 yards per game this season.
1 – the Riders defence has allowed the fewest rushing yards this season. 98 yards cobined in all three games.
2 – Toronto’s defence is second best at stopping the run allowing only 40 yards per game against on the ground.
2 –Two other Rider Quarterbacks have won their debut after being elevated to the starters job. Kent Austin and Darian Durant.
2 – number of sacks in week 3 for Charbel Dabire. He leads the Riders.
3-0 – Corey Mace is 3-0 as the Head Coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The last Rider Head Coaches to start 3-0 were Corey Chamblin and Ken Miller.
4 – number of sacks combined for the Argos Jake Ceresna and Jared Brinkman. Half of Toronto’s team sack total.
4 – The Riders are looking to start a season 4-0 for the first time since 2013.
4 – Toronto has won the last four meetings between the two teams.
5-3 – East Division teams are 5-3 vs. West Division teams this season. Saskatchewan is 2-0 vs. the East. Toronto is 2-0 vs. the West.
5 – The Riders are +5 in turnovers this season. Second only to Montreal.
7 – the number of drives that Shea Patterson lead the Riders on after taking over from Trevor Harris late in the first half of week 3.
8-3 – the Riders are 8-3 coming off of a bye week since 2018.
9 – the Riders are last in penalties in the CFL averaging 9.3 against per game.
10-2 – Ryan Dinwiddie’s coaching record after a loss. He has only had consecutive losses on two occasions.
10 – number of receptions for Ka’Deem Carey this year. The most on the Argos.
17 – number of receptions for Jerreth Sterns leading the Riders this season.
56 – A.J. Ouellette needs 56 rushing yards for 2000 in his career.
83 – Saskatchewan’s Touchdown percentage in the Red Zone. That is tops in the CFL.
102 – this is the 102nd meeting of the two franchises, Saskatchewan is 55-45-1 vs. Toronto all time.
7pm – That’s kick-off tonight at Mosaic Stadium for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts.
AND be sure to WATCH the entire pre-game, halftime and post-game coverage RIGHT HERE!