Saskatchewan Roughriders' linebacker Jameer Thurman is well acquainted with Hamilton Tiger-Cats' quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell's tendencies and how he operates from days past as former teammates.
"He knows what I'm going to do, I'm not too worried about that," Thurman said to voice of the Riders Dave Thomas. "He knows what I bring to the table and I know what he brings to the table. We go out there and compete."
Thurman and Mitchell won a Grey Cup together with the Calgary Stampeders as teammates in 2018 then the pair were reunited in 2023 with the Ticats.
The 35-year-old Mitchell has started nine games for Hamilton in 2025 and leads CFL quarterbacks in passing yards with 2,856 and passing touchdowns with 21. The Tiger-Cats lead the East Division with a 6-3 record.
"That's how he plays when he's healthy," Thurman said." Best of luck to him, but at the same time, he still has to come in here on Saturday and deal with us."
In Week 2, the Green and White went into Hamilton and defeated the Ticats 28-23. Thurman finished the game with five tackles and one sack.
"I don't think either team has really changed that much," Thurman said. "If anything, guys have gotten a little better at executing a little more, but I still think they are who they are and we are who we. Whoever executes the best is going to come out and win."
This season, the 30-year-old Thurman has started eight games for Saskatchewan, he has collected 44 defensive tackles, two sacks and one interception. Last week, Saskatchewan had a bye week and returned to practice on Tuesday.
"We're having the pads on and the week off was great," Thurman said. "That's a good wake-up call when you get back and hit somebody, using your pads in practice."
That bye week was the Riders second this year. When the team came back from a bye week the first time, Saskatchewan lost to the Stampeders 24-10 in Week 6.
"You've got to learn from those mistakes," head coach Corey Mace said. "I don't want to take anything away from Calgary as we know they're a good team, but I thought as far as our effort was concerned and how we looked, it didn't look like us."
The Riders host the Tiger-Cats at home on Saturday. Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates bring you the pre-game show at 10 a.m. Afterwards, Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 1 p.m. You can listen to or watch our thorough coverage on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
