By Jamie Nye

Preview: Saskatchewan Roughriders face Montreal in Grey Cup Rematch

Jul 8, 2011 | 5:35 PM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders face the Montreal Alouettes in another Grey Cup rematch on Saturday (Kick-off 2pm, Mosaic Stadium). It's the second straight year the two sides face off in a rematch of the two finalists the year before and again the Riders are hoping to get a sense of revenge for losing in the Championship game.

“I think I hate them the most of all because of the recent occurences against them,” admitted Roughriders defensive back Lance Frazier, “They've kicked our butt when it's really mattered over the last two years and any time we play them it's time to turn it up and focus in a little more.”

Hate is a strong word

While Lance Frazier 'hates' the Alouettes, the Roughriders starting quarterback Darian Durant says too much has been made of the regular season games between these two because it's not as if the Roughriders get awarded the Grey Cup for winning in the regular season.

“It's just two teams that played in last year's Grey Cup. This year is a new year and both teams have a lot of new faces so it's definitly going to be a little different atmosphere.”

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In saying that, the quarterback does acknowledge the growing rivalry between the two non-divisional teams, “To be completely honest you do (get fired up to play Montreal). They're the champs so I'd think every team in the league circles the champs on their schedule. Considering how the past couple of years ended, it's definitely a little added motivation to give those guys your best shot.”

Roughriders need a spark

After losing to Edmonton in Week One, the Roughriders are trying to avoid going 0-2 to start a season for the first time since 2004. Veteran linebacker Barrin Simpson knows the team can't get too far behind the eight ball right off the bat, “The West Division is the most competitive division in the league right now. If you're going to be a playoff team you have to win at home and to get your opportunity to play at home in the playoffs in late November.”

The Roughriders have prided themselves on being able to win most often than not on home turf and losing the first two at home in the season will be a bitter disappointment.

Mutual respect

Both the Roughriders and Alouettes preached how much respect they have for each other before Saturday's game. Alouette defensive lineman Kitwana Jones has now seen it from both locker rooms and admits he was almost shocked to see how much respect the Alouettes actually give the Roughriders, viewing them as the best team in the league.

Als quarterback Anthony Calvillo is now interested to see what kind of defence he'll see with the change at coordinator, “We know the history of both Coach Richie Hall and Coach Greg Marshall, they've been around for a long time and we have a general idea of their philosophy the tough thing is we don't know which philosophy they're going to go with.”

Calvillo admits it was tough to get a feel for the Roughriders defence in Week One believing they were very 'vanilla' with some of their regulars out of the lineup. This week is different as Tad Kornegay and Chris McKenzie will be added to the lineup along with linebacker Jerrell Freeman.

News and Notes

Roughriders Head Coach Greg Marshall says safety James Patrick is a game time decision and he believes they will be able to fit Brandon West on to the roster as a return man and backup running back. Darian Durant is fighting off a cold but it's nothing that will keep him off the field on Saturday.

The Riders have added receiver Ernie Wheelwright to the nine-game injured list, which now is full of nine Roughriders. Hugh Charles has been added to the one-game injured list with a hamstring problem.

Roughriders 46-man roster moves: IN – RB Brandon West, DB Tad Kornegay, DB Elliot Richardson, DE Remond Willis, OL Nick Hutchins. OFF – DB John Eubanks, LB Chris Graham, RB Hugh Charles, DE Mathieu Boulay, WR Ernie Wheelwright.

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