Saskatchewan Roughriders running back A.J. Ouellette (45) hurdles Ottawa Redblacks defensive back Deandre Lamont (33) as teammate defensive back King Ambers looks on during second half CFL action in Ottawa, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

By The Canadian Press

Riders look to lock up first place in West Division as they host struggling Argos

Oct 9, 2025 | 2:38 PM

REGINA — Although the stakes are high, the Saskatchewan Roughriders aren’t looking past Friday’s contest with the struggling Toronto Argonauts.

With a victory over the 5-11 Argos, who have already been eliminated from the CFL’s playoff picture, the 11-4 Riders can clinch first place in the West Division and the right to host the division final on Nov. 8.

The Riders’ approach all season has been to focus on their schedule one game at a time.

“There’s a lot more at stake, and we understand what’s ahead of us. But you can’t get past the fact that we have to win this week, and if we don’t win this week, we have to do it next week. And if we don’t do it next week then we’ve got to do the week after that,” said Riders cornerback Marcus Sayles. “We don’t want to have to rely on anybody to help us win. As long as we take care of our business, we should be fine. This is just another test that’s on our road to the Grey Cup.”

Riders head coach Corey Mace understands the benefits of a first-place finish and home playoff game, but he’s not about to change what has resulted in a successful season so far.

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“It’s cool that we’re in a situation that can lead the one thing to the next, but we just stick to our process of trying to win each week. The rest of it kind of just takes care of itself,” said Mace, who has a record of 20-12-1 as the Riders head coach. “So, would it be really nice? Obviously, I think for our organization, our guys and the fan base, to host a Western final, yeah, I’m sure. But what’s more important right now is going undefeated this week, and that’s honestly how everybody feels.”

The Argos, who are the defending Grey Cup champions, head into the game with a new starting quarterback. Jarret Doege takes over from Nick Arbuckle, who suffered a shoulder injury early in a 47-29 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Oct. 4. Arbuckle reportedly suffered a fractured scapula and is facing an estimated recovery period of eight weeks.

Arbuckle has been the Argos starting quarterback since Chad Kelly suffered a fractured right tibia in last season’s East Division final. Kelly, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2023, has missed the entire 2025 season and is not expected to return to the Argos this year.

Doege, who is 62 of 92 passing for 565 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions this season, joined the Argos after spending two seasons with the Edmonton Elks, where he had limited playing time. Friday’s game will be only the third CFL start for the 27-year-old quarterback.

“I have tremendous confidence myself,” he said. “I’m excited to just get reps in practice. It’s hard to be a backup. You get very minimal reps, and you go out in the game and have to execute the plays. I wasn’t here in camp, like I’m still learning with this offence. So just the more reps I can get, the better I’ll feel.”

Both teams will be missing starters on defence Friday. Argos middle linebacker Wynton McManis is dealing with a groin injury and reportedly will not play in the final two regular season games. Saskatchewan will be missing defensive back Rolan Milligan, the West Division’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2024, and cornerback Tevaughn Campbell.

The Riders will also be without receiver Donte Meyers who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Meyers, who has 1,056 yards receiving this season, was injured in last week’s victory over the Ottawa Redblacks where he had six catches for 158 yards and one touchdown.

The Argos and Riders met earlier this season, with Saskatchewan grabbing a 39-32 victory in Toronto on June 30. The game had a wild finish with the Argos scoring with 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the contest 32-32. The Riders then pulled out the victory when Mario Alford returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.

Should the Argos beat the Riders on Friday, Saskatchewan can still clinch first place this weekend if the Tiger-Cats beat the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday.

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TORONTO ARGONAUTS (5-11) AT SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (11-4)

Friday, Mosaic Stadium

OFF AND RUNNING: Riders running back A.J. Ouellette is currently second in the CFL in rushing with 1,110 yards, 10 behind Dedrick Mills of the Stampeders. Ouellette leads the league with 222 carries, the highest mark by a Riders running back since Kory Sheets had 287 carries in 2013.

LEADING THE 50+ CLUB: Toronto kicker Lirim Hajrullahu has hit nine field goals of 50 yards or more this season, tops in the league.

BALL HAWKS: The Riders are tied for the league lead in interceptions at 21 with the Tiger-Cats. Campbell is the league leader with six interceptions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published October 9, 2025.

Jeff DeDekker, The Canadian Press