Aug 31, 2007, 17:00 GMT
Regina, SK - The Saskatchewan Roughriders have taken their fans into unchartered waters.
The Roughriders head into the CFL's Labor Day weekend standing first in the West Division standings with a league-best 6-2 record. If the Riders can finish the regular season either in first or second place, they will host a playoff game.
Doesn't sound like much, right? But consider Saskatchewan football fans haven't seen a playoff game at Mosaic Stadium since 1988 when the Riders lost a 42-18 decision to the B.C. Lions, who went on to face Winnipeg in the Grey Cup that year.
In fact, the last time the Roughriders opened a season with six victories in eight games was 1976. The club finished first in the West Division that year -- the last time they've accomplished that feat -- and went on to represent the conference in the Grey Cup before losing a heart-breaking 26-23 decision to Ottawa on Tony Gabriel's touchdown catch with less than a minute remaining in the game.
The Roughriders will play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday in a matchup of the CFL's two division leaders.
ESKIMOS REVENGE: The Edmonton Eskimos will finally have a chance to gain some revenge on Calgary kicker Sandro DeAngelis.
DeAngelis drew the ire of the Eskimos following his game-winning field goal on August 4 that earned the Stampeders a 34-32 win at Commonwealth Stadium. After making the kick, DeAngelis raced down the field and attempted to slide in a puddle located in the end zone.
Many Eskimos players thought DeAngelis' theatrics were over the top and unnecessary, given that it was just a regular season game.
Of course, emotions always run high when the Alberta rivals get together, and this game was no different.
Earlier, Edmonton linebacker A.J. Gass was ejected from the game for ripping the helmet off Calgary offensive lineman John Comiskey and firing it downfield. Gass said he simply lost it after Stampeders lineman Jeff Pilon grabbed his groin in the middle of a pileup.
Gass received a one-game suspension by the CFL for his actions, but that penalty was reduced to an unspecified fine by an arbitrator, allowing Gass to play in Monday's game.
Edmonton will have three starters back for the game in Comiskey, running back Tyler Ebbell and cornerback Omarr Morgan. But guard Kevin Lefsrud has been placed on the nine-game injured list with a concussion. Also missing the game will be receiver Pat Woodcock (knee) and linebacker Antico Dalton (spine), while receiver Jason Tucker is doubtful with a knee injury and Rahim Abdullah (arm) is questionable.
STANLEY CUP RIVAL: The Getzlaf family already has one championship ring to its credit, but now faces the possibility of adding a second.
Ryan Getzlaf was a member of the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks this spring. His younger brother Chris was dealt to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, along with running back-kick returner Corey Holmes last week.
The Roughriders are first in the West Division and have the CFL's best record at 6-2 heading into the league's Labor Day weekend.
RECORD PACE: Running back Jesse Lumsden of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats has a chance to become the most prolific Canadian-born running back in CFL history.
Lumsden currently has 627 yards rushing to stand third in the CFL. At his present pace, Lumsden would finish with 1,411 yards, leaving him within striking distance of Normie Kwong's record of 1,437 set in 1956 with Edmonton, which is the most in CFL history in a regular season by a Canadian-born player.
Orville Lee of the Ottawa Rough Riders was the last Canadian to lead the CFL in rushing, running for 1,075 yards in 1988.
SPECIAL GUEST: The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have a special guest on hand Sunday when they face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium.
George Reed, the former Roughriders running back, will be there to not only sign autographs but also pay tribute to Winnipeg receiver Milt Stegall, who surpassed Reed and former CFL running back Mike Pringle as the league's all- time touchdowns leader. Reed spent his entire 13-year career in Regina. Pringle and Reed shared the record heading into this season with 137 touchdowns. Stegall now owns the mark with 140...and counting.
LUI LEAVING LIONS: Luis Passaglia, the former B.C. Lions kicker who has been the club's community relations director since retiring in 2000, will be leaving the CFL club at the end of the season.
Passaglia will be joining the family's construction firm, working with his brother Walter and father Loris.
Passaglia has spent 32 years with the Lions as a player and member of the front office. But he will remain associated with the club, but as a season- ticket holder.
Jamie Taras, a former fullback and offensive lineman with the Lions, will replace Passaglia as the team's community relations director.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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