ROSTER | GAME NOTES | TORONTO DEPTH CHART (print version) | SASKATCHEWAN DEPTH CHART | VIDEO: DON MATTHEWS’ PRESS CONFERENCE
Opponent: Saskatchewan Roughriders
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2008
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Rogers Centre
Television: TSN/TSNHD
Radio:FAN590/FAN590.com/SIRIUS
Last Meeting: July 27, 2008 – Toronto 28 @ Saskatchewan 22
Records: Toronto (4-13); Saskatchewan (11-6)
Toronto Injuries: LB Jean-Nicolas Carriere, WR Obed Cétoute, RB Dominique Dorsey, RB Tyler Ebell, LB Kevin Eiben, LB Michael Fletcher, DB Kenny Heatly, LB Chuck Winters, OT Jonta Woodard.
Saskatchewan Injuries: DL Stevie Baggs, DL Dek Bake, QB Dalton Bell, WR Carl Berman, WR Adarius Bowman, RB Henri Childs, WR Matt Dominguez, DB Lance Frazier, DB Brandon Lynch, WR David McKoy, DB Leron Mitchell, OL J.F. Morin-Roberge, OL Steve Morley, OC Jeremy O’Day, DL Keith Shologan, WR Gerran Walker.
Starting Quarterbacks: TOR – #4 Kerry Joseph; Saskatchewan – #17 Michael Bishop
What to Look For:
– 5 of the last 11 meetings between Saskatchewan and Toronto have been decided by 5 points or less.
– The Argos narrowly lost to the Riders this season 28-22, a margin of just 6 points.
– The Argos are 7-10-0 vs. Saskatchewan in their past 17 meetings since 2000, but 5-4-0 in theirlast nine games against the Roughriders.
– When Mike O’shea dresses this week, it will be his 205th game in Double Blue, putting him in
sole possession of second-place for games played by an Argonaut. He is currently tied with All-Time Argo Danny Nykoluk for the second-most games played by an Argo (204). All-Time Argo Don Moen is first in team history with 222 games played.
– Arland Bruce III is the first Argos receiver since 2006 (also Arland Bruce, 1,370) to catch for
1,000 yards in a season. He was at 1,117 yards entering Week 18.
– Bruce is once again the team-leader in touchdowns scored with 8. If he hangs onto the team
lead, it then will be the fourth straight season he has led the Argos in that category.
– Toronto-native Andre Talbot has already set a new career-high for receptions in a season (70)
and last week set a new personal single-season receiving yards mark with 836 yards. His previous career-high was 803.
Preview:
Argos QB Kerry Joseph is playing his best football of the season, having thrown 6 touchdown passes and 992 yards in his last three starts while rookie receiver P.K. Sam scored his first two CFL touchdowns last week in B.C. after consecutive 100+ yard games. Arland Bruce turned in his 14th 100-yard game as an Argo last week while chipping in 2 touchdowns of his own to take the team lead. RB Jamal Robertson has rushed for a total of 156 yards in each of the last two games and continues to give the offence a legitimate ground attack.
Argos Outstanding Defensive Player LB Willie Pile will lead a young defence against a potent Rider team that scored 55 points last week against the Eskimos. Watch for the Argonauts’ defensive line to get a lot of work as Riders’ RB, and West Division Outstanding Player candidate, Wes Cates makes his second start since returning from injury this week.
The only change in the Double Blue lineup is veteran DS Chris Hardy returns to the lineup from the IR and DT Adrian Davis returns to the PR.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Rogers Centre for Fan Appreciation Night. Three lucky fans will compete at halftime for the chance to win a brand new 2009 Gridiron Edition Nissan Titan. In celebration of Fan Appreciation Day, the first 10,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive an Argos t-shirt courtesy of Nissan and THE FAN 590.
For tickets, please call 416.872.5000 or CLICK HERE to purchase online.