1:10 p.m.
Now that we know the game will be happening, folks are in for a beautiful day for football at Mosaic Stadium: temperature will be around 24 C at game time under mostly cloudy skies, with winds only 16 km/h from the south.
1:01 p.m.
We're going to be good to go. Conditions are 35 at all three Mosaic Stadium sites, which is the high end of Low Risk and as a result of no concern. Remember to catch the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network pre-game show with Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk, and Wes Cates at 1:30 p.m., and then listen to all the action when Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 2 p.m.!
12:01 p.m.
Air quality conditions two hours before game time continue to improve slightly, with readings at 40, 40 and 41. That's at the low end of the 4 (Moderate Risk) range and well below the 8 (High Risk) cutoff. Looks like things will be in good shape for kick-off, as long as nothing crazy happens in the next couple hours.
11 a.m.
Air quality readings at Mosaic Stadium three hours before game time are 47, 48 and 49. That's in the 4 to 5 (Moderate Risk) range and well below the 8 (High Risk) cutoff.
10:42 a.m.
If anyone is wondering how much the Roughriders care about their fans, word from a season ticket holder is every season ticket seat is receiving a $50 store voucher, every single ticket seat is receiving a voucher for a future game, and fans who bought tickets for Friday's game but can't attend can receive a full refund. That's how you do it, folks.
10:20 a.m.
As one might expect with such a major departure from the norm, there will be all sorts of changes to the fan experience for this afternoon's game, many of which are highly unusual for a Roughriders game. You can check all those out by clicking right here. Also, air quality readings will up updated on this blog hourly in the lead-up to game time so fans will have an idea how things are shaping up.
10:10 a.m.
The Roughriders depth chart. The biggest change, of course, is Trevor Harris returning at quarterback. Ka'Deem Carey slots in as the back-up to A.J. Ouellette at running back with Thomas Bertrand-Hudon sildelined with injury. Zack Fry gets the start at left guard in place of Trevon Tate and Antoine Brooks Jr. is in at cornerback in place of Tevaughn Campbell.
Harris has completed 58 of 80 passes for 806 yards in three games this season, while wide receiver KeeSean Johnson is the Riders top receiver with 20 catches for 288 yards.Dohnte Meyers isn't far behind with 15 catches for 208 yards.A.J.Ouellette is the league's top rusher with 347 yards on 56 carries. Linebacker Jameer Thurman leads the defence with 27 tackles and two sacks, while Rolan Milligan Jr. has two interceptions, including a pick six.
The Stampeders depth chart. Vernon Adams Jr. is off to a great start as the Stamps quarterback and has 1,025 yards of passing through their first four games. Slotback Jalen Philpot has been his favourite target with 12 catches on 23 attempts for 224 yards. Running back Dedrick Mills has 311 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Linebacker Jacob Roberts leads the defence with 24 tackles, cornerback Adrian Greene has a pair of interceptions, including a pick six.
9:52 a.m.
Let's try this all again!
It’s Week 6 of the Canadian Football League season and we have a first-place showdown as the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the Calgary Stampeders at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, about 18 hours after it was originally supposed to be played.
As everyone knows at this point, the game was originally scheduled for Friday night, but poor air quality caused a nearly four hour delay before things were finally postponed until this afternoon. And before we go any further, let's look at how things are shaping up that way today.
As of 10 a.m., particulate matter observations at Mosaic Stadium are well within game play tolerances, with readings sitting at 60, 58 and 58. That translates into 6 (Moderate Risk) on the Environment Canada scale, well below the 8 (High Risk) threshold the CFL uses in player safety protocols. There is a chance things might be touch-and-go, though -- the forecast indicates quality will be around 8 most of the day, which is the cutoff point for games to be delayed.
As you've all seen many times over the last 24 hours, under league regulations, if the Air Quality Health Index reaches eight or above using Environment Canada metrics during warmups or the game, the air quality procedure will take effect and the game will be automatically stopped and teams sent to their dressing room.
Saskatchewan is off to a perfect 4-0 start and are coming off a bye week, while the Stampeders are also off to a great start and hold a 3-1 record. As their records indicate, they’re one-two at the top of the East Division standings, and also the consensus one-two at the top of the most recent edition of the CFL Power Rankings.
The 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network pre-game show with Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk, and Wes Cates begins at 1:30 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 2 p.m.
