The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have a tough task ahead of them Thursday as they try to slow down one of the CFL’s most explosive players, Justin Rankin. The league leader in rushing touchdowns with six, and just two yards behind league leading rusher Dedrick Mills, Rankin has been making magic happen on the field this year. None of this success comes as a surprise to Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace, who faces the question of how to contain Rankin this week. “That’s been kind of the question with this guy for awhile. When [he] first came in the league, even when he wasn’t getting all the stardom that he has now, those were some long film sessions trying to figure that same question out,” said Mace. For the linebackers like Josh Woods, they have seen Rankin’s game elevate with his increased confidence. “It’s almost like a video game to him,” Woods said. “It’s the moves he’s making, the cuts, just the confidence that he’s showing. He’s really taken a step this year.” Aside from Rankin, the Riders defence will have the task of handling Edmonton’s run game that poses it’s own challenge. “They give you a lot of different looks with extra guys outside of the tackles, extra guys coming in behind the tackles. So, I think it’s hard to tell exactly what you’re going to get with them, and I think it helps him get bigger and bigger holes,” said Riders defensive lineman James Vaughters. The Elks’ offence also features quarterback Cody Fajardo, who returns to face his former team, along with receiver Alex Mack. The pair developed chemistry during their time together with the Montreal Alouettes. “There’s a reason Cody wanted him there, almost like an emergency blanket. There’s a lot of times where stuff is going on, and he’s going to try to find him. I mean, that’s his boy,” said Woods. The winner of this early season battle will take sole possession of first place in the west division.
