WINNIPEG – With the Winnipeg Blue Bombers selling out Investors Group Field for the first time since the 2013 Banjo Bowl, players are looking forward to the advantage of the 13th man when they face the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday.
“It should help us out.” said head coach Mike O’Shea. ” “When they step out onto the field they’ll be excited. A lot of these guys have played in front of some pretty big crowds and some guys have never played in front of a crowd this size.”
WATCH: Mike O’Shea Media Briefing Raw
“You can just feel the energy around the city.” Matt Nichols said. “And there’s a lot of people very excited about this game.”
With 5 straight wins the Bombers are eyeing their first six game win streak since 2001. In the 12 years they’ve staged the Banjo Bowl each the Bombers and the Roughriders have six wins apiece. But the Bombers haven’t swept the Labour Day Classic and the Banjo Bowl since the 2004 season.
“It doesn’t really matter what happened last week.” said Weston Dressler. “With this group we’re focused on the next game. So we were fortunate to come away with the win last week so we want to do that again.”
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This will be the ninth straight Banjo Bowl for Dressler, but his first on the home side.
“Looking forward to being on this side of it this year.” said Dressler. “Witnessing it first hand from the other side, it’s always a rowdy environment.”
WATCH: Weston Dressler Raw
The Bombers made two changes to their 46-man roster this week as receiver Ryan Smith returns from the six game injured list. Linebacker Nick Temple also gets on the active roster. Sam Hurl was moved to the one game injured list and CJ Roberts was placed on the six game injured list.
The Banjo Bowl begins at 3:00 pm on Saturday.
WATCH: Matt Nichols Raw
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