The Saskatchewan Roughriders haven’t won since July 19th and that doesn’t sit well with Melfort native and veteran offensive lineman Logan Ferland.
"It slowly chips away at a guy. And you know, you get more and more frustrated as the games go on, especially them being as close as they are. We can't keep having these close games end in this way,” Ferland said.
The Riders have looked focused and determined during their on-field sessions but off the field there is frustration, despite being in first place in the Canadian Football League’s West Division. Ferland agreed they may be the unhappiest first-place team in league history.
“Every single guy in that room cares, every single guy in the stadium cares, cares about our record, cares about how we approach each week, and we need to be better.”
Three of Saskatchewan’s last four losses have been decided by four points or less.
The Riders should get a boost from a sold-out Mosaic Stadium on Sunday and Ferland admits that excitement also comes with expectations to win which increases pressure.
“We try to treat each game the same as we go into it. So no matter what game it is, we will obviously be pressured to win.”
Early in the week, alumni addressed the team and delivered a great reminder about the importance of winning on Labour Day. The Riders have won 15 of the last 18 Classics.
“The message was how much this football team means to the community,” Ferland said.
“How much we have to come out and play for them and realize how much of a sacrifice they made for us to have a stadium like this. We have to come out and play for them and play like they’re behind us.”
The Riders host the Blue Bombers Sunday at 5 pm at Mosaic Stadium with the 620 CKRM Countdown to Kick-off starting at 2 pm. You can watch the pre-game show LIVE on YouTube and listen to the game with yours truly and Luc Mullinder on the Roughrider Radio Network.
