The Saskatchewan Roughriders are starting veteran quarterback Trevor Harris in the team's CFL preseason open.
The Riders were on the field one final time in Saskatoon then travelled to Winnipeg for an exhibition match-up with the Blue Bombers.
“Anytime you get to play football — it's a kid's game and I'm 38, almost 39 years old — It's a blessing.”
Head coach Corey Mace and offensive coordinator Marc Mueller have a game plan to give all the quarterbacks some playing time and Harris will play as long as his coaches let him.
“I often times ask if I can play three-and-a-half quarters and if it's close to leave me in, but I understand what it is. Everybody needs to get reps, you've got to evaluate and whatnot. I'm in the same boat, I'm evaluated as well.”
Mace is excited to see what the team can do against an opponent not wearing green or white.
“Making sure they're in the right spots and then effort, we preach that. I think a lot of the guys coming in, not necessarily just rookies, but guys coming in from different teams, are meeting the expectations of what we're looking for. That's the main thing, execution, communication and effort.”
Mace wants to find playing time for everyone, including his franchise QB.
“Ideally, everybody who's on the roster we'd like to see in the game, but Trev's played a game or two in his life. I'm not going to say it's going to be extensive, but we definitely want to see what he looks like.”
Kick-off in Winnipeg goes at 2 p.m. Catch the most comprehensive game day coverage in the CFL with Countdown to Kick-off, featuring Justin Dunk, Teagan Witko and Wes Cates on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network at 11 a.m.