REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are well aware of Chad Kelly’s gunslinger style, and they’re planning to use it against the Toronto Argonauts quarterback on Friday.
Kelly has opened the season with a bang, topping the 400-yard passing mark in each of Toronto’s first two games. But a closer look at the statistics — 869 yards on 53-of-78 passing with seven touchdowns — reveals Kelly’s gambling style does lead to interceptions. He’s thrown five picks in the two games, including four in last week’s 44-24 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks.
Part of the Riders game plan is to use Kelly’s aggressive play against him.
“I know his makeup, he’s had some really good games moving the ball down the field, but there’ll be some opportunities anytime the ball is in the air,” said Riders head coach Corey Mace. “It’s not exclusive to the offence, so it’s just about being in the right position and capitalizing on our opportunities defensively.”
Turnovers have been a topic of conversation for the defending Grey Cup champs. After leading the CFL last in defensive takeways (39) and interceptions (23), all the Riders have to show for their first two games is one fumble.
Riders middle linebacker Jameer Thurman is confident the defence will return to form on Friday.
“I see opportunity for us as a defence to have our coming out party, get a lot of turnovers, and get a lot of stats,” said Thurman said. ”The opportunities have been there, but guys just haven’t capitalized, honestly. Those are those are game-changing plays that we need, and what better time to do it when we’re at home.
“There’s opportunities. Guys know that they’re going to be there, they’ve just got to take advantage of it when it comes their way. We expect them to happen, and you know, we just got to go out there and make the plays that come to us.”
Mace, who turned over the defensive co-ordinator role to Josh Bell this season, isn’t worried that takeaways haven’t been coming at the 2025 level.
“No concern. Just this, let’s capitalize. I think we probably should have about five of them right now. Maybe to a detriment sometimes for myself, the glass is half full, we’re there. We’ve just got to make the plays . . . Those are game-changing plays, right? So you know, hopefully Chad’s feeling generous. That’d be really nice,” Mace said with a smile.
Riders starting tailback A.J. Ouellette, who suffered an ankle injury in last week’s victory over the Calgary Stampeders, didn’t practice this week and likely won’t play against the Argos. He was put on the reserve list which means he could be activated up to the league mandated deadline of 30 minutes before kickoff.
Mace is leaning to keeping Ouellette on the sidelines this week.
“We looked at some things yesterday and I was thinking maybe we can try to get him out there at game time. But where it’s at right now, I just don’t know if it’s really worth the risk. So, as we put it out, that’s how we’ll roll,” said Mace.
Ouellette played a major role in the Riders winning the Grey Cup last season, rushing for 1,222 yards on 248 carries in his second season with the team.
If Ouellete can’t go, rookie Quali Conley, who was signed by Saskatchewan on May 16 after being released by the Montreal Alouettes, will make the start.
Conley knows he has big shoes to fill but he says he’s prepared for the challenge.
“As coach (Andrew) Harris teaches us, you never know when your number’s going to get called. Just stay ready, whether you’re on scout team, doing (individual work), act like you’re the guy. That’s your mentality,” said the 23-year-old Conley.
Friday’s game, while being played at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, is a home game for the Argonauts who have moved three of their home games due to scheduling conflicts with the 2026 World Cup. In addition to moving this contest to Regina, the Argos will also play home games in Winnipeg on July 10 and in Hamilton on July 18.
Toronto won’t play its first home game at BMO Field until Aug. 6.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS AT (1-1) AT SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (2-0)
Friday at Mosaic Stadium
HIGH OCTANE OFFENCE: The Argos and Riders rank first and second respectively in both points per game (Toronto 37, Saskatchewan 35.5) and offensive yards per game (Toronto 501, Saskatchewan 471.5). One major difference between the offences is yards gained on first down — Toronto leads the league an average of nine yards while Saskatchewan is eighth at 6.3 yards.
QUICK STARTS: Toronto’s Kevin Mital and Saskatchewan’s Kian Schaffer-Baker have put up big receiving numbers in the first two games of the season. After opening the campaign with 109 yards on seven receptions against Montreal, Mital had a career-high 178 yards on eight catches last week against Ottawa. Schaffer-Baker caught 11 passes for 165 yards in the season opener against B.C. and added 130 yards on eight catches against Calgary last week. Schaffer-Baker is averaging 147.5 receiving yards per game, four yards more than Mital.
HOT HAND: Riders quarterback Trevor Harris heads into the game with an interception-free streak of 189 passes. He thrown for over 300 yards in five of his last six regular season games, including both games this season. He has 57 career games of 300-plus yards passing, second among active players behind Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (60).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2026.
Jeff DeDekker, The Canadian Press
