The Saskatchewan Roughriders know it's going to be a challenge trying to contain Hamilton Tiger-Cats' star receiver Kenny Lawler in Week 11.
"It's hard for other defences to say that you're going to cap him off. His catch radius is everywhere," Riders' defensive back Marcus Sayles told Dave Thomas. "He can get the ball wherever you put it and that's what makes him great. When you got Bo Levi [Mitchell], he can sling the ball 65, 70 yards down the field, it makes it easier for him. You do have to cap his game, but at the same time, we got to make plays."
Through nine games in 2025, Lawler ranks second among CFL pass catchers in receiving yards with 783 and first in receiving touchdowns with eight. As for Mitchell, he leads all CFL quarterbacks in passing yards with 2,856 and passing touchdowns with 21.
"I love being in games like this," Sayles explained. "When you're going against a Hall of Fame quarterback and potentially a Hall of Fame receiver, you want to be able to put your best foot forward, your best tape on display. They're going to get our best, we're definitely going to give ours and it's going to be a good game. As long as we keep no explosive plays and we keep the top down on our defence, we feel like we'll be successful."
The 30-year-old Sayles has started eight games for the Riders in 2025, accumulating 32 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle and one interception.
"I think I'm doing pretty good, but I feel like I've left a lot of things on the table," Sayles explained. "I've dropped some balls this year that could have been game-changing plays and that's not like me. I'm always in position to make those plays, with the coaching that we've had and the players that we have in this room, it's easy to be able to put ourselves in that situation. Hopefully, I can continue to build on it and lead this team to a great comeback."
Head coach Corey Mace knows Sayles is up to the task for taking on Lawler.
"I think everybody always sees the plays that Kenny makes going up top, but he's making stuff underneath as well. Sayles has been able to do a good job getting his hands on the footballs going vertically, playing tight coverage, coming down and making plays," Mace said. "Not just Sayles, there's going to be a lot more people than that, but certainly similar to No. 0 [Rolan Milligan Jr.], you're happy No. 8 is on the field."
Saturday will be the second time the Green and White play Hamilton this year, the Roughriders defeated the Tiger-Cats 28-23 in Week 2. Both teams lead the West and East Divisions respectively, the Riders have a 7-1 record and the Ticats a 6-3 record.
"Honestly, all of our games after the next one are going to be as competitive and as strong as this one," Riders' Tevaughn Campbell said. "We're preparing as if this is the game to make the Grey Cup."
Campbell trusts everyone in the Riders' secondary when they have the chance to cover elite receivers such as Lawler.
"I don't think that's an issue, I think everyone on every part of the field is as good as the next," Campbell said. "We're not too concerned. We know what we're capable of and we know we're capable of making plays."
The Green and White battle the Ticats at home on Saturday. Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates start the pre-game show at 10 a.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 1 p.m. You can listen or watch our extensive coverage on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
