Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace's rushing defence is the best in the CFL. (Submitted/Saskatchewan Roughriders)

By CJME Staff

Game day

Riders prepare for Elks’ Ford-Leake rushing threat

Aug 2, 2024 | 3:39 PM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ vaunted rushing defence will face a massive test this week against the Edmonton Elks.

Coming into the game, the Riders have only surrendered 48 rushing yards per game — the lowest mark in CFL history. The current record is held by the Calgary Stampeders, who only surrendered 57.3 yards per game in the 1995 season.

Kickoff for the game against the Elks is Saturday at 5 p.m.

While head coach Corey Mace is aware of the pace they are on, he knows it doesn’t mean anything until the season is over.

“We will talk about it when it’s all done … our scout team gives us excellent looks and our coaches do a great job making sure we are detailed-oriented in drawing up and designing the looks for our look team,” Mace said.

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“It’s a full meal deal to even accomplish that. We are pleased with it thus far but it doesn’t mean nothing unless you do it and prove it every week.”

The Riders will have to prove it this week without one of their top defensive players. Defensive tackle Anthony Lanier II has been put onto the six-game injured list with a knee injury. The 31-year-old defender has two sacks and a forced fumble in seven games this season.

That means more work for Caleb Sanders — a second-year CFLer who has played in three previous games.

Sanders has appeared in two contests this season, recording a sack in Week 7 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a good experience to get into games and show what I can do,” Sanders said.

This week, the Elks will feature one of the most athletic backfields in the league with not only dynamic quarterback Tre Ford starting his first game of the season, but Javon Leake will start for the injured Kevin Brown.

Leake has proven to be a dynamic player in his own right, being named the CFL’s most outstanding special teams player in 2023 with the Toronto Argonauts.

“That’s quite the backfield as far as elite athletes,” said Mace, who was the Argos defensive co-ordinator in 2023.

“(Leake) has gotten the ball on offence quite a bit more than his time in Toronto and he is doing a lot of good things for him and he is holding up in protection as well.”

Ajou Ajou will start his first game of the season, usually coming in off of the bench. National safety Kosi Onyeka also comes onto the game day roster due to the retirement of national defensive end Nic Dheilly.

Left tackle Brandon Council will start his first game of the season due to a hamstring injury to Jacob Brammer.

Running back Frankie Hickson will start in his second straight game as A.J. Ouellette deals with a hip injury. Hickson ran for 117 yards and a touchdown in the team’s 20-16 loss to the Montreal Alouettes last week.