Saskatchewan Roughriders veteran midfielder Jamir Thurman hasn't forgotten how his team's 2024 season ended.
The Green and Whites lost 38-22 in the Western Final to the rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Princess Auto Stadium on Saturday, November 9th. Thurman wants the Riders to use that as motivation for their Week 20 game in Manitoba's capital and play a spoiler for the Bombers and their playoff hopes in 2025.
“Absolutely. You have to remember they ended our season last year. We have the option to end their season or continue to force them to continue to fight for theirs.” Thurman said.
Winnipeg lost on the road to Edmonton in Week 19 and still haven't made the playoffs, something they may not be able to do this week even after beating Saskatchewan. The Bombers have made the postseason every year the CFL has played football since 2015, eight straight seasons. Thurman believes even with the ignition key turned off due to load managementSaskatchewan can win.
“You're still playing ball no matter what. You put out a movie and you never want to put out a bad movie. This game is about winning. You're not going out there just to show up on game day. You're trying to find a way to win,” Thurman said.
“There should be no downfall at all and everyone should take responsibility for it. This is an opportunity to get a win against a team that is fighting for a playoff spot.”
The 30-year-old captain won the Gray Cup with the Calgary Stampeders in 2018. Saskatchewan has other players with CFL championship titles on its roster, including quarterback Trevor Harris, running back AJ Ouellette, wide receiver Tommy Nield, offensive linemen Jermarcus Hardrick and Philippe Gagnon, defensive linemen Micah Johnson and Shane Ray, defensive lineman Marcus Sales and special team players. Benoit Marion and Kerfalla Exume, although they all came with other teams.
“That's all in the past. We don't have a championship as a team. We have to win here,” Thurman said. “You have to make sure that come playoff time you're hot, the hottest teams are the ones that go out there and get things done.”
The Roughriders (12-4) will face the Blue Bombers (8-8) on Friday, October 17, with tipoff scheduled for 8:00 pm ET. Riders beat Toronto which took first place in the Western Division, and Bombers lost to Edmontonfailing to reach the playoffs.
The weather forecast for Winnipeg calls for temperatures of up to 11 degrees and rain. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in to 620 CKRM in Regina and 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.
