ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
If you were to poll any Argos player, past or present, he would likely choose Hamilton’s Ivor Wynne Stadium when asked which CFL destination has the most hostile crowd. Perhaps challenging the barn on Balsam is Mosaic Stadium in Saskatchewan – which dates back to its days as Taylor Field – as one of the toughest places to play football as a visiting team in the country. Football rabid fans from across the province pack the 28,000-seat stadium every home game and loud noise is about as frequent as a fan with a watermelon helmet.
Offensively, the Riders have and will continue to rely on their non-import depth at receiver with the likes of Rob Bagg, Andy Fantuz and Jason Clermont. In 13 games this season, the three have combined for 1,283 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Riders enter Saturday’s contest with the Argonauts after dropping a heartbreaker to the B.C. Lions. However, if there is one thing that the Green and White have shown this season it is their resiliency. Sitting second in the CFL West Division, the Riders have shown an ability to bounce back after losses, only suffering an ‘L’ in consecutive games once this season.
Led by a defensive line that features rush ends Stevie Baggs and John Chick, the Riders defence has undoubtedly been their bread and butter this season. They’re near the top of numerous defensive categories including most team sacks. Not to be outdone, veteran linebackers Sean Lucas and Tad Kornegay are both sitting in the league’s top 15 in total tackles.
Offensively, the Riders have and will continue to rely on their non-import depth at receiver with the likes of Rob Bagg, Andy Fantuz and Jason Clermont. In 13 games this season, the three have combined for 1,283 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The man delivering the football to the aforementioned receivers is QB Darian Durant, who has established himself as a true starter, posting a record of 11-6 as a starter in his CFL career. Durant has passed for solid numbers, eclipsing the 3,000 yard mark so far this season and has added 313 yards on the ground as he scrambles out of the pocket. There is, however, talk of Ken Miller going back to his strategy from the beginning of the season this week. The strategy involved starting Durant then replacing him mid-way through the game with backup Steven Jyles – to change the pace – then finishing with Durant.
Durant and the Riders will look to pull even with the West-leading Calgary Stampeders when they face the Argos on Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff is at 9:00 p.m. ET.
» QB Darian Durant
» RB Wes Cats
» SB Andy Fantuz
» WR Rob Bagg
» DB Omar Morgan
» DB James Patrick
» LB Sean Lucas
» K Luca Congi
» Can Durant continue to find his go-to targets in Bagg and Fantuz?
» Can the Riders continue to compete for top spot in the west with the Calgary Stampeders?
» Can defensive ends Stevie Baggs and John Chick turn loose to get to teh Argos QB such as their last meeting with Toronto?