The Saskatchewan Roughriders last played a home playoff game in 1988, when Kent Austin was a quarterback for the team.
Austin was injured and didn't get an opportunity to compete, but the Riders head coach could play an even bigger role 19 years later.
"Things sometimes work out in a weird way," said Austin. "I'm proud of the way our guys have played."
The Calgary Stampeders' loss on Friday allowed Saskatchewan to clinch second place and its first home playoff game in almost two decades. The West Division semifinal will take place Nov. 11, unless the Riders (10-5) are able to overtake the B.C. Lions (12-3-1) for first place in the CFL's West Division.
"We're not completely satisfied with second," said Kerry Joseph, who has started every game at quarterback for the Roughriders this season. "It's good to have a home game. Now we want it with a bye week."
Saskatchewan will have to beat the lowly Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday (12:30 p.m. MT) at Mosaic Stadium in Regina to have a chance. The matchup looks to be advantageous for Saskatchewan as the Ticats have yet to win on the road.
Hamilton head coach Charlie Taaffe said his young team needs time to adjust to playing away from home.
"There's a process you have to go through," Taaffe said. "I wish it wasn't necessarily this long of a process."
Hamilton came close to winning a few more contests this season, but was never able to finish strong in the fourth quarter. The Week 12 signing of quarterback Casey Printers was part of the rebuilding process for the Ticats.
"I see real progress there and a lot of potential," Taaffe said. "But potential doesn't mean a whole lot; it's results that count, and performance. I do see it starting to come together … this late in the season we're trying to salvage what we can."
Printers played the first quarter and part of the second in Hamilton's home loss against Saskatchewan last week. He left the game with a shoulder injury, but is expected to start in Sunday's game.
"We'll see how it goes. You never really can tell until you're out there playing," said Printers of how he feels physically. "I've pushed my body very hard since February.
"It's starting to take its toll, but hopefully it can withstand the next three games."
There are also some players just hoping to play a full game this time around. Tony Tiller of the Ticats and Mike Abou-Mechrek, Jermese Jones and Mike McCullough of the Roughriders were all ejected.
"Last week was last week, this week is this week," said Abou-Mechrek. "We need to finish the season on a high note, this isn't Survivor. We're going to go out there and play every game to win. We need this game. We need to finish on a roll and we need to beat Hamilton."
Crosby's western tour wraps in Vancouver
With wins in Edmonton and Calgary under their belts, Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins head to the left coast to face the red-hot Vancouver Canucks on Saturday (CBC, 10 p.m. ET).
Thrashers sign Angelo Esposito
The Atlanta Thrashers signed forward Angelo Esposito to a multi-year contract on Friday.
McMahon Stadium, Olympic Plaza to hold Grey Cup rallies
Calgary Stampeders fans will have two chances this week to congratulate the team on its Grey Cup victory over the Montreal Alouettes.
Contact Us About Us HomeTuesday, January 6th, 2009