Winnipeg @ Saskatchewan preview
Mosaic Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jun 6, 2019 ) Winnipeg 35, Saskatchewan 29
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers hope to overcome the loss of their starting quarterback and running back when they take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the annual Labour Day Classic on Sunday. The Blue Bombers beat Edmonton 34-28 in their first game without the injured Matt Nichols (shoulder) to move four points clear at the top of the West Division, but will be missing their leading rusher Andrew Harris for the next two contests after he was suspended for violating the league's drug policy.
"Obviously I'm in disbelief and I feel for the guy," Winnipeg coach Mike O'Shea told reporters. "While this is an extremely unfortunate situation I support Andrew and look forward to his return in a few weeks." The Roughriders continued their climb up the West Division standings following an impressive 40-18 victory against the Ottawa Redblacks in Week 11. Saskatchewan has won five consecutive games, including three in a row at home, to move within four points of the Blue Bombers and hope to put some heat on their neighbouring rivals by notching their third straight win in the Labour Day series. "We've got to be able to focus on the task at hand and be able to play our best football against them," Saskatchewan quarterback Cody Fajardo told reporters. "I've heard the fans go absolutely crazy on Labour Day so it's a good chance to get a two-game swing on Winnipeg."
TV: 3 p.m. ET, TSN
ABOUT THE BLUE BOMBERS (8-2): Chris Streveler was limited to 89 yards on 7-of-17 passing with Nichols on the six-game injured list, but rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown in the win against Edmonton to help Winnipeg improve to 8-2 for the first time in 18 years. Defensive end Willie Jefferson was named one of the CFL's Top Performers of the Week after registering four tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles against the Eskimos. Winnipeg released wide receiver Chris Matthews, who won the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie award in 2012, after he failed to make an impact, exiting with 12 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown in six games this season.
ABOUT THE ROUGHRIDERS (6-3): Cody Fajardo threw for 241 yards and a touchdown to go with another on the ground to help lead Saskatchewan to its longest winning streak since 2014. William Powell added 70 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns against Ottawa to keep him on track to becoming the first Saskatchewan running back since Korey Sheets (1,598) in 2013 to go over 1,000 yards while Naaman Roosevelt caught a TD pass for the first time in nine regular-season games. Defensive end Micah Johnson has missed the last two games with an ankle injury but could play after returning to practice while defensive back L.J. McCray was fined an undisclosed amount for landing a punch on Ottawa's Nolan MacMillan.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Saskatchewan has won 13 of the last 14 Labour Day Classics.
2. Jefferson has registered six sacks in his past four games.
3. Powell leads the CFL with nine rushing touchdowns.
PREDICTION: Roughriders 26, Blue Bombers 20