Team focuses on upcoming game
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are preparing for their upcoming CFL game against the Edmonton Elks on Thursday, while processing the recent death of teammate Jayden Dalke. Dalke and Bhishma Rajyaguru, a 22-year-old from Regina, died in a two-vehicle collision on Saturday evening near Lumsden, approximately 30 kilometres north of Regina.
RCMP reported that Dalke, 30, was driving a silver SUV northbound in the southbound lane of the divided highway when it collided with Rajyaguru’s black SUV. No passengers were in either vehicle. RCMP also noted that alcohol and cannabis were found in Dalke’s vehicle, and autopsies and toxicology tests are currently being conducted.
The team was informed of the accident and Dalke’s death on Sunday, during their first practice following a bye week. Practice was subsequently cancelled, but the team returned to the field on Monday to prepare for the game against the Elks, which will determine first place in the West Division.
Quarterback Trevor Harris commented on the challenging week, stating, “It’s been a lot. It’s been quite a rolling week. It’s been a heavy week, but we also know we have a job to do. We know what Jayden would like us to do, as we kind of alluded to all week.” He added that there has been a strong spirit within the team regarding their objectives.
The Riders made three players available to the media on Monday: Harris, along with linebackers Nick Wiebe and Jameer Thurman.
Tributes planned for Dalke and Rajyaguru
Jameer Thurman, who was Dalke’s teammate, spoke about honouring Dalke, a linebacker who was in his fifth season with the Riders. Thurman emphasized the importance of players supporting each other while still performing on the field against the Elks. “We’ve got work to do at the end of the day. I know he would want us to be here. He wouldn’t want us walking around, moping around, and stuff like that,” Thurman stated.
Thurman also shared a personal connection, saying, “I’ve been, for the last two years, sitting next to him in all our meetings. It was tough. But I know he’s always watching over us, making sure that we are being held accountable for each other.” He highlighted the team’s collective motivation: “Not only are we playing for him, we’re playing for each other as well. You’re not just out there for yourself. You’re playing for the guy next to you, playing for their families and different things like that. The Dalke family, we love them.”
The Riders announced on Tuesday night that they will honour Rajyaguru in a pre-game ceremony at Mosaic Stadium. The team is also collaborating with Rajyaguru’s family to determine the best way to support them. A statement from the CFL club described Rajyaguru as “a gifted percussionist with a deep love of music,” whose “passion and presence left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
General manager Jeremy O’Day has confirmed that the team plans to hold a tribute for Dalke before Thursday’s game.
Elks and Riders prepare for divisional battle
The Edmonton Elks enter the upcoming game with a two-point advantage over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Elks’ strong start to the season is attributed to a balanced offence and a revitalized defence.
The Elks’ defence leads the league in points allowed per game and turnover ratio. Their secondary has shown strong performance recently, recording 10 interceptions in their last three games. This includes four picks in a victory over the Ottawa Redblacks on July 9 and another four in a win against the B.C. Lions on July 17.
Defensive back Kenneth Logan Jr. commented on the secondary’s recent success, attributing it to a group effort. “We’re just focusing on the details,” Logan said. “The guys up front are getting it done, getting pressure on the quarterback. Then it’s us just believing in the coaching and then it’s the little things we’ve been doing at practice, like catching or different ball drills, just to make sure we’re locked in when the ball comes.”
Logan further explained the team’s cohesion, stating, “We’ve all been playing next to each other for multiple games. We all believe in each other. We all trust each other.” He highlighted the importance of creating turnovers: “It definitely feels good to get our offence back the ball and see those guys work because that’s a high-power offence. But any chance we can get our hands on the ball and create a turnover and create a spark for our team, that’s what we’re willing to do.”
Rolan Milligan is set to return to the Saskatchewan lineup after sustaining a shoulder injury in the season opener against B.C. The Elks are currently experiencing their best start since 2017, when they began the campaign with a strong record. This impressive start could mark the end of their playoff drought, which has lasted for five seasons, the longest in the franchise’s history.
In Riders history, Trevor Harris surpassed former Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo last week, moving to sixth on Saskatchewan’s all-time passing yards list. Harris has accumulated 10,716 yards with the Riders, while Fajardo totaled 10,632 yards during his three seasons in Saskatchewan from 2019 to 2022. The combination of Saskatchewan receivers KeeSean Johnson, Kian Schaffer-Baker, and Samuel Emilus accounts for a significant portion of the team’s passing yards this season.
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Source: globalnews.ca
Chloe Tremblay is the Sports Reporter at CasinoNews, covering basketball, tennis and athletics with nine years of reporting experience. She reported on the Raptors' rise and two Olympic cycles. She holds a degree in Journalism from Concordia University. Based in Montreal, she plays recreational basketball and follows track athletics. “The best stories come from the athletes everyone overlooks.”
