By Jamie Nye

Desperate Roughriders need win in Calgary

Sep 30, 2011 | 4:57 PM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-8) are hoping to find an Alberta advantage to get into the playoffs.

Four of the team's final six games will be played in the province to the West, beginning with Saturday's tilt at McMahon Stadium against the Calgary Stampeders (7-5).

Both teams are coming off big losses, although the Stampeders are the ones who have been struggling since Labour Day, with only one win in the month of September.

The Roughriders however have been one of the hottest teams in that time with a 3-1 record under the direction of Ken Miller.

Stamping out the competition

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The Roughriders know only wins will do as they sit six points out of playoff spot.

Despite the Stampeders struggles Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant knows it'll be a tough test going into McMahon Stadium.

“They always say a wounded dog is the most dangerous one. We know they're back at home. Throughout the league teams have been struggling at home somewhat and they want to redeem themselves.”

Trips to McMahon have been interesting of late. The team has had incredible comeback wins, most recently in the 2010 West Final.

Redemption time

The Roughriders 42-5 loss to B.C. is still weighing heavy on the minds of the team as they fielded questions about that loss all week.

Defensive back Lance Frazier is hoping to see a different team on Saturday and there's no better place to try to turn it around.

“It's a great start to the stretch. It will be an exciting one over at McMahon as usual. Hopefully we just have the correct game plan and we have the ability to execute it. That's been the biggest thing this year is our inability to execute it when the time comes.”

When asked what to expect from two inconsistent teams, Ken Miller predicted, “I don't really know what to expect from them. I think we're going to play a lot more disciplined, play with tremendous effort and I think our execution will be much better than what we have demonstrated.”

News and Notes

Darian Durant is 388 yards shy of passing Frank Tripucka for most passing yards by a Roughrider quarterback. Tripucka is third behind Ron Lancaster and Kent Austin. Durant is one yard shy of 14,000 for his career.

The Roughriders have been shutout in the first quarter seven times in their first 12 games, while the Stampeders have outscored their opponents 60-49 in the first quarter. The Roughriders are almost just as bad coming out of the locker room in the 3rd quarter, scoring just 43 points this season.

The Roughriders have a 5-5 record at McMahon Stadium in their last 10 trips to Calgary.

news@panow.com