The Saskatchewan Roughriders are ready for Winnipeg Blue Bombers' star running back Brady Oliveira in the West Final.
The Canadian RB lead the CFL in rushing yards for a second straight season. He carried the football 239 times for 1,353 yards, 5.7 per carry, and three touchdowns while adding 57 receptions for 476 yards and one major. The 27-year-old had 32 carries for 134 yards, 4.1 per carry, and posted 16 catches for 149 yards in three regular season meetings against the Green and White.
"Brady is unbelievably talented, we want to get all our guys that have that level of talent involved in helping us win a football game," Bombers' head coach Mike O'Shea said.
"They get turnovers, that's a key point of emphasis this week, take care of the football, play a clean game and don't give them opportunities to get takeaways. Watching tape this week, there's lots of holes on that defence that I think we can attack," Oliveira said.
Winnipeg lost in Week 7 at Mosaic Stadium 19-9 but won the Labour Day Classic 35-33 and rematch at Princess Auto Stadium 26-21. It's the fourth meeting between prairie rivals in 2024. Mace and his defence are expecting Oliveira to be featured in the playoff match-up.
"Brady's had a heck of a year. He's the best in the last couple years to do it. It's a challenge and I know the guys like challenges here. If that's going to be their game plan, I don't think our guys are going to shy away from that," Saskatchewan head coach Corey Mace said.
The Riders stifled rushers in the regular season, leading the league in rush yards per game allowed (80.3) and ranked second in yards per rush attempt (4.8) through 18 games. Saskatchewan limited the B.C. Lions to 41 yards on 11 carries, 3.7 per attempt, in the West Semi-Final win.
"We take pride in trying to defend the run, no doubt," Mace said.
The Riders travel to Winnipeg to take on the Blue Bombers in the West Final on Saturday. Countdown to Kick-off begins with Justin Dunk and Wes Cates live at 2:30 p.m. Luc Mullinder and I join at 4:30 p.m. with the kick-off to follow at 5:30 p.m. on the Co-operators Roughrider Radio Network.
