By Joel Gasson

GAME DAY: Riders, Eskimos set to clash at Commonwealth

Sep 26, 2014 | 7:11 AM

Finally, after weeks of waiting the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Eskimos are set to renew their rivalry this evening at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

The CFL regular season may be heading into its 14th week but this will be the first match-up between the Green and White and the Green and Gold since the final week of the regular season last year, a game that didn't mean anything in the standings.

This one, it does mean something in the standings as the Eskimos sit just one game back of the Riders heading into the weekend. A sharp contrast from last season when the Eskimos finished last in the West Division.

“I can tell you, it will be a like a parking lot football game,” said Chamblin. “It'll be like two little kids playing parking lot football and playing until our mom's call us home because no one is going to quit on this football game. It is one of those that's going to be electric.”

Leading the way for the Eskimos this season has been their defence, especially their defensive line, which is currently being anchored by former Rider Odell Willis.

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“They're athletic, they're strong, they're fast,” said quarterback Tino Sunseri when asked about the Eskimos defensive line, one that is actually quite similar to what the Riders put on the field each and every week. “I think they do a lot of things for their defence to be disruptive to the quarterback.”

A few weeks ago it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Riders defensive end John Chick was going to win the sack race, but suddenly Willis is right there behind him with 10 on the season, tied with another Rider in defensive tackle Tearrius George. Chick currently has a four-sack lead on Willis and George.

The Riders offensive line will definitely be tested in this one as they will try their best to keep Sunseri clean in this third CFL start, and first against a rival Western opponent.

The o-line feels practicing against Chick and company will get them ready for this heavyweight match up.

“Iron sharpens iron; any time you go out to a competitive periods against our guys, we feel like we're getting a look that will transfer to any d-line out here,” said offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte. “In terms of the variety we have on our d-line, it gives us a feel for what we could expect from Edmonton.”

The flattery was definitely flying both ways on Saturday before the game, as Eskimos head coach Chris Jones likes what he sees from the Riders defensive as well.

“They're very well coached,” said Jones. “They do a tremendous number one, putting the proper personnel on the field. Their defensive front is certainly not if tops one of the tops in the league. They've got some big name guys that really produce week in and week out.”

Coach's reunion

There could be a pretty good reason why both teams have fairly similar defences: both head coaches know each other quite well.

Chamblin and Jones both go way back, as Jones actually first met Chamblin when he was still playing the game.

“He's a great guy, I've known him since college,” said Jones. “He was at Tennessee Tech, Corey was playing and I was one of the coaches.”

Jones said earlier in the week that he got Chamblin his first job in the CFL, but Chamblin's version of the story is that he helped him out.

Either way, Chamblin remembers working with Jones in the past and discussions often got passionate between the two when it came to the game of football.

The Green Zone Game Day kicks-off at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon with Game Day with Wray followed by the Green Zone pre-game show. During the game, stay tuned for the Fan Zone with Scotty and the King and once the final whistle blows it's the Green Zone post-game show featuring thoughts from the guys, the players and you at 1-877-300-7275 and by text at 306306.

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