ROUGHRIDERS REPORT FROM WINNIPEG

Chris Jones Friday in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG — The Saskatchewan Roughriders arrived in the Manitoba capital at 2:00 pm local time Friday as they prepare to battle the Blue Bombers in Saturday’s 13th Banjo Bowl (2:00 pm kickoff Sask Time, TSN, 620 CKRM Network).

The Riders have three roster changes from last week’s 28-25 loss to the Bombers in the Labour Day Classic.

Coming onto the roster for Saskatchewan are WR Armanti Edwards, DB Raye Hartmann and LB Marvin Golding.  Coming off are DB Tevaughn Campbell, DB Demetrice Morley and FB Spencer Moore.  Moore has been placed on the 6-Game Injured List with a broken lower leg.

Saturday’s game will mark the CFL debut for Armanti Edwards, the former NFL receiver who spent four seasons with the Carolina Panthers and also had brief stints with the Browns and Bears.  He was a quarterback at Appalachian State.

Roughriders Head Coach and General Manager Chris Jones was asked if they “owe the Bombers one” after last week’s result.

“Anytime you lose a game you’re not happy about it,” Jones told reporters at IG Field.  “Again, you’re playing the same opponent so it’s a short time period.  It’s a quick turnaround and we look forward to playing.”

Jones was asked if it’s a challenge to motivate his players given the team’s 1-9 record.

“No,” Jones offered. “We got great character in our room.  They’re in good spirits.  Even with their record they come out to work every day.  They’re fun to be around.  They respond to our coaches and we look forward to seeing where we are.

“We need to close a game out.  Again, football games are won with turnovers, hits on the quarterback and big plays given up so we need to learn to do those things; to make the big plays when we need to.”

Rider kicker Tyler Crapigna was nearly inconsolable after last week’s game, missing a pair of field goals and a potentially game-winning convert against Winnipeg.  Jones says Crapigna appears to have shaken it off and looked forward.

“He’s been good,” Jones responded.  “Last week we had the unfortunate deal with the snapper going out on Day 3 so we didn’t have a day to really work our snapper.  I think it affected Tyler somewhat.  The timing in kicking – and I’m not a kicker – but they say the timing is one of the biggest things.  But Tyler’s a pro and he’s come back this week.  You’ve got to protect him from himself because he wants to kick too much.  He’ll bounce back.”

Rider returner Kendial Lawrence spoke with reporters as well and the Missouri product was his usual bubbly self.  He said he “got chills” when he walked into IG Field on Friday considering he and the Edmonton Eskimos won the 2015 Grey Cup here last November.

Lawrence was in minicamp with the Blue Bombers a few years ago and was asked what he remembers from that tryout.

“I remember they didn’t sign me!” Lawrence snickered.