FINALLY! RIDERS SET TO OPEN NEW STADIUM

WINNIPEG at SASKATCHEWAN (Preseason)
WHEN: 7:00 pm Saturday, June 10, 2017
WHERE: Mosaic Stadium, Regina
BROADCAST: 620 CKRM, 680 CJOB (No TV or Livestream)
PREGAME: 4:00 pm
FORECAST: Clear, 23 degrees Celsius, 30 km/h wind

OVERVIEW: It’s finally here! After years of anticipation, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will finally kickoff a game in their new home Saturday night when they host the rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers in CFL preseason action … For any and all game day info about the finest football facility in the country (like the Riders’ innovative Bike Valet Service for fans who pedal to the game) please click here … There will be no pregame fan festivities in Confederation Park adjacent to the stadium for the preseason game … The only broadcast of the game is on radio, and 620 CKRM Regina which is also available on the CKRM and Rider apps, and online at www.620ckrm.com.

ENJOY EVERY SECOND: Hundreds of times I drove to dilapidated Taylor Field thinking the best fans in pro football deserve the best stadium, and to not have to drive down a bumpy grid road to get there. Now we have it! Thanks to all who worked so hard to make New Mosaic Stadium happen.

If you haven’t got your tickets yet for this historic evening, get yours here.

RIDER NOTES; For the Roughriders, for the most part, it’s a matter of “If you’re healthy, you’re playing”. That’s good news for Rider fans who will get to see the likes of Duron Carter, Rob Bagg, Naaman Roosevelt, Nic Demski, Mitch Picton, Willie Jefferson, Eddie Steele, Henoc Muamba, Brendon Labatte, Peter Dyakowski, Linden Gaydosh and a host of other familiar names.

However the bad news is the fans won’t be able to see Chad Owens, Vince Young, Kienan LaFrance, Ese Mrabure, Josh Bartel, Zavian Bingham and other recognizable names who are injured and unable to participate.

BOMBER NOTES: The Bombers left a large number of their big names at home for this clash and that includes Weston Dressler, Andrew Harris, Taylor Loffler and Sam Hurl. However among those who will play for Winnipeg on Saturday night are Kenny Stafford, Clarence Denmark, Justin Medlock Stanley Bryant, Sukh Chung and this year’s #1 pick in the CFL Draft, DT Faith Ekakatie.

Blue Bombers Head Coach Mike O’Shea has yet to name his starting quarterback for Saturday’s game, and veteran Matt Nichols is on the depth chart along with Dominique Davis, Dan LeFevour and Austin Apodaca.

TILL WE MEET AGAIN: O’Shea told Winnipeg reporters that this preseason game is “good timing” since the Blue Bombers will be back here on Canada Day, July 1 for the Roughriders home opener in New Mosaic Stadium. He said Saturday’s game will give the Bombers the opportunity to get a feel for the stadium, the challenges of the wind and crowd noise.

SNAPCHAT: For a behind-the-scenes look at game day including field level views and the broadcast booth, follow my Snapchap Story at: Pedersenmedia.

RP
@rodpedersen