The 2017 Saskatchewan Roughriders season was the 60th season for the team in the Canadian Football League (CFL). It was the club's 108th year overall, and its 102nd season of play. The Roughriders improved upon their 5–13 record from 2016 and clinched a playoff spot with a win over the Calgary Stampeders on October 20, 2017. They finished in fourth place in the West Division and crossed over to the East Division playoffs for the third time in franchise history. They won their first ever East Semi-Final game by defeating the Ottawa Redblacks, but lost the following week to the Toronto Argonauts 25–21 in the last minute of the game.
This was the first season that the Roughriders were playing at their brand new stadium, Mosaic Stadium, following the previous 95 years at the site of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field. This was the second season under head coach and general manager Chris Jones. For the fifth consecutive season, the club held their training camp at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon with the main camp beginning on May 28.Rider to hold 2017 Coors Light Training Camp in Saskatoon
Offseason Player transactions On November 15, 2016, Regina was announced as the host city for the inaugural CFL Week, which took place in March 2017. Regina was the only place besides Toronto to host the CFL's National Combine. On November 28, 2016, the Roughriders announced the signings of Bryan Bennett, Terrance Campbell, Kenny Horsley, and Thomas Mayo.
On December 1, 2016, Roughriders running back Joe McKnight was fatally shot in Terrytown, Louisiana in a road rage incident.
On December 6, 2016, Roughriders defensive end Eric Norwood announced his retirement. On December 7, 2016, defensive back Justin Cox signed an extension with the Roughriders. On December 19, 2016, Roughriders linebacker Marvin Golding was suspended two games for violating the CFL's drug policy. On January 3, 2017, the Roughriders announced the signings of Daniel Thomas, Jordan Reaves and Kelvin Muamba. On January 6, 2017, the Roughriders announced the extensions of kicker Tyler Crapigna and defensive back Ed Gainey through the 2019 season. On January 11, 2017, the Roughriders announced the extension of defensive lineman Jonathan Newsome through the 2018 season.
On January 13, 2017, the Roughriders traded the rights of quarterback Darian Durant to the Montreal Alouettes in exchange for a fourth round selection in the 2017 CFL draft and a conditional second round selection in the 2018 CFL Draft. The Alouettes would then re-sign Durant to a three-year contract on January 19.
On January 14, 2017, the Roughriders released linebacker Jeff Knox, Jr. so he could sign a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. On January 20, 2017, the Roughriders announced the extension of defensive lineman Willie Jefferson. On January 23, 2017, the Roughriders announced the signing of quarterback Kevin Glenn, who was released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on January 6. This will be Glenn's third stint with the Roughriders.
On January 26, 2017, the Roughriders announced the signing of wide receiver Duron Carter.Fresh start: Riders confirm signing of Duron Carter The following day, the Roughriders released Dylan Ainsworth, Shamawd Chambers, Mitchell Gale and Curtis Steele. Later in the day, the Roughriders signed defensive back Erick Dargan, and released defensive back Otha Foster so he could sign an NFL contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
On February 14, 2017, the Roughriders signed offensive lineman Derek Dennis. That same day, they signed Canadian running back Kienan LaFrance.
On February 15, 2017, the Roughriders signed Canadian safety Marc-Olivier Brouillette, running back Aaron Milton, offensive lineman Ryan White and 2012 CFL Most Outstanding player, international wide receiver Chad Owens. The next day, the Roughriders signed running back Cameron Marshall and released offensive lineman Andrew Jones.
On February 17, 2017, the Roughriders re-signed offensive lineman Thaddeus Coleman. On February 20, 2017, the Roughriders released linebacker Korey Jones.
CFL draft The 2017 CFL draft took place on May 7, 2017. The Roughriders had the 2nd overall selection after a 5-13 season in 2016. The Roughriders had nine selections, as they gained three picks and lost one pick in trades.CFL Draft Tracker The team also forfeited their 3rd round selection when taking safety Kevin Francis in the 2016 Supplemental Draft.
Round Pick Player Position School/Club team Hometown 1 2 Cameron Judge LB California, Los Angeles Moorpark, CA 2 11 Dariusz Bladek OL Bethune–Cookman Kissimmee, FL 4 30 Antony Auclair TE Laval Notre-Dame-des-Pins, QC 4 32 Eddie Meredith OL Western Toronto, ON 5 37 Mitchell Picton WR Regina Regina, SK 6 46 Danny Sprukulis OL Toronto Oakville, ON 7 55 Alexandre Chevrier LB Sherbrooke Pointe-Claire, QC 7 57 Emmanuel Adusei DT Carleton London, ON 8 64 Marc Glaude OL Montreal Beaconsfield, QC
Preseason
Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results TV Venue Attendance Summary Score RecordA Sat, June 10 7:00 p.m. CST vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers T 25–25 0–0–1 None Mosaic Stadium 33,350 RecapB Fri, June 16 8:00 p.m. CST at BC Lions L 10–42 0–1–1 TSN BC Place 15,632 Recap 2017 Schedule
Games played with white uniforms.
Regular season
Standings
Schedule Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results TV Venue Attendance Summary Score Record1 Thurs, June 22 5:30 p.m. CST at Montreal Alouettes L 16–17 0–1 TSN/RDS/ESPNews Molson Stadium 20,129 Recap2 Sat, July 1 7:00 p.m. CST vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers L 40–43 (2OT) 0–2 TSN/RDS/ESPNews Mosaic Stadium 33,350 Recap3 Sat, July 8 8:00 p.m. CST vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats W 37–20 1–2 TSN/ESPN2 Mosaic Stadium 33,050 Recap 4 Bye5 Sat, July 22 7:00 p.m. CST at Calgary Stampeders L 10–27 1–3 TSN McMahon Stadium 30,274 Recap6 Sat, July 29 4:30 p.m. CST vs. Toronto Argonauts W 38–27 2–3 TSN Mosaic Stadium 33,350 Recap7 Sat, Aug 5 5:00 p.m. CST at BC Lions L 15–30 2–4 TSN BC Place 23,415 Recap8 Sun, Aug 13 6:00 p.m. CST vs. BC Lions W 41–8 3–4 TSN/ESPN2 Mosaic Stadium 33,350 Recap 9 Bye10 Fri, Aug 25 7:30 p.m. CST at Edmonton Eskimos W 54–31 4–4 TSN Commonwealth Stadium 41,738 Recapǁ11ǁ Sun, Sept 3 2:00 p.m. CST vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers W 38–24 5–4 TSN Mosaic Stadium 33,350 Recap12 Sat, Sept 9 1:00 p.m. CST at Winnipeg Blue Bombers L 28–48 5–5 TSN Investors Group Field 33,134 Recap13 Fri, Sept 15 5:00 p.m. CST at Hamilton Tiger-Cats W 27–19 6–5 TSN/RDS Tim Hortons Field 23,604 Recap14 Sun, Sept 24 2:00 p.m. CST vs. Calgary Stampeders L 9–15 6–6 TSN/ESPN2 Mosaic Stadium 33,350 Recap15 Fri, Sept 29 5:00 p.m. CST at Ottawa Redblacks W 18–17 7–6 TSN TD Place Stadium 24,893 Recap16 Sat, Oct 7 2:00 p.m. CST at Toronto Argonauts W 27–24 8–6 TSN/RDS2 BMO Field 15,102 Recapǁ17ǁ Fri, Oct 13 8:00 p.m. CST vs. Ottawa Redblacks L 32–33 8–7 TSN Mosaic Stadium 33,350 Recap18 Fri, Oct 20 7:00 p.m. CST at Calgary Stampeders W 30–7 9–7 TSN McMahon Stadium 27,316 Recap19 Fri, Oct 27 7:30 p.m. CST vs. Montreal Alouettes W 37–12 10–7 TSN/RDS Mosaic Stadium 30,083 Recap20 Sat, Nov 4 5:00 p.m. CST vs. Edmonton Eskimos L 13–28 10–8 TSN Mosaic Stadium 31,627 Recap 2017 scheduleMarquee moments highlight 2017 CFL schedule in Canada's 150th year2017 RDS CFL ScheduleCFL, ESPN unveil 2017 U.S. broadcast schedule
Games played with primary home uniforms. Games played with white uniforms. Games played with retro alternate uniforms.
Post-season Schedule
Game Date Kickoff Opponent Results TV Venue Attendance Summary Score RecordEast Semi-Final Sun, Nov 12 12:00 p.m. CST at Ottawa Redblacks W 31–20 1–0 TSN/RDS/ESPN2 TD Place Stadium 24,107 RecapEast Final Sun, Nov 19 12:00 p.m. CST at Toronto Argonauts L 21–25 1–1 TSN/RDS/ESPNews BMO Field 24,929 Recap
Games played with white uniforms.
Roster 2017 Saskatchewan Roughriders final roster Quarterbacks
Running backs
Receivers
DB
Offensive linemen G T C T G/T G G
Defensive linemen DE DT/DE DT DE DE DT/DE DTLinebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams P K LS
Practice roster T FB LB LB G WR WR G QB DB DB
Suspended list DE/DT WR LB Injured list WR RB DE DB SB DB LB SB SB LB DT LB C/G LB DE LB DB RB LB T DT LB RB K QB T Italics indicate International player Bold indicates Global player
Coaching staff Saskatchewan Roughriders Staff Front office President and ceo – Craig Reynolds General manager and director of football operations – Chris Jones U.S. Scout – Ron Selesky Manager of Media Relations & Football Communications – Ryan Pollock Director of athletic therapy – Ivan Gutfriend Manager of equipment – Gordon Gilroy Manager of football research and development – Chad Hudson Manager of football administration – Aaron Thompson
Head coaches Head coach – Chris Jones Assistant head coach – Stephen McAdoo
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Stephen McAdoo Quarterbacks & Passing Game Coordinator – Jarious Jackson Offensive line – Mike Scheper Wide Receivers - Markus Howell Running backs – Craig Davoren Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Chris Jones Defensive line – Ed Philion Defensive backs – Jason Shivers
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Craig Dickenson Special teams assistant – Craig Davoren
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning coordinator – Dan Farthing
→ Coaching staff
References