After a disappointing loss at the Labour Day Classic, the Saskatchewan Roughriders returned to practice on Tuesday with a renewed determination to bounce back.
The Riders fell to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a close 23-8 game on Sunday, leaving fans frustrated and players eager to make improvements.
Head coach Craig Dickenson addressed the team’s performance during practice, emphasizing the need for better execution and consistency.
“We need to be more disciplined and focused on the details,” Dickenson said. “We have a talented group of players, but we need to work together as a team to achieve our goals.”
Quarterback Cody Fajardo, who threw for 212 yards and one interception in Sunday’s game, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and expressed his determination to improve.
“We need to be more efficient on offense and make smarter decisions,” Fajardo said. “We have a lot of work to do, but I have faith in my teammates and our coaching staff to turn things around.”
The Riders will have a chance to redeem themselves in a rematch against the Blue Bombers on Saturday. The team is using this week’s practices to fine-tune their strategies and make necessary adjustments.
“We know what we need to do to win,” said defensive back Ed Gainey. “We just need to execute and play with intensity for the full 60 minutes.”
Despite the loss, the Riders remain in second place in the West Division with a 4-3 record. With the playoffs approaching, the team is determined to bounce back and make a strong push for the Grey Cup.
“We have a resilient group of players and we’re not going to let one loss define our season,” said Dickenson. “We’re going to learn from our mistakes and come back stronger.”
Fans can expect an intense and competitive game on Saturday as the Riders look to avenge their Labour Day Classic loss. Kickoff is at 4:00 PM at Mosaic Stadium.
