Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Jameer Thurman ‘absolutely’ wants to play spoiler for Blue Bombers

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Saskatchewan Roughriders’ veteran linebacker Jameer Thurman has not forgotten how his team’s 2024 season ended.

The Green and White lost 38-22 in the West Final against the rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Princess Auto Stadium on Saturday, November 9. Thurman wants the Riders to use that as motivation for the Week 20 game in the Manitoba capital and play spoiler for the Bombers and their playoff hopes in 2025.

“Absolutely. You gotta remember that they ended our season last year. We have an opportunity to end theirs or continue to make them keep fighting for theirs,” Thurman said.

Winnipeg lost on the road at Edmonton in Week 19 and have yet to clinch a playoff spot, something they may not do this week even with a victory over Saskatchewan. The Bombers have made the postseason every year the CFL has played football since 2015, eight straight seasons. Thurman believes, even with key starters out due to load management, Saskatchewan can win.

“You’re still playing ball, regardless. You’re putting film out there, you never want to put out bad film. This game is about winning. You’re not going to go out there just to show up on game day. You’re trying to find a way to win,” Thurman said.

“There should not be a drop off at all and everybody should be held accountable to that. It’s an opportunity to get a win versus a team that’s vying for a playoff spot.”

The 30-year-old captain won a Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders in 2018. There are other players on Saskatchewan’s roster with CFL championships to their name, including quarterback Trevor Harris, running back A.J. Ouellette, receiver Tommy Nield, offensive linemen Jermarcus Hardrick and Philippe Gagnon, defensive linemen Micah Johnson and Shane Ray, defensive back Marcus Sayles, and special teamers Benoit Marion and Kerfalla Exume, though they all came with other teams.

“All that stuff, that’s in the past. We don’t have a championship as a team. We have to win here,” Thurman said. “You gotta make sure you’re hot come playoff time, the hottest teams are the ones that go out there and get it done.”

The Roughriders (12-4) visit the Blue Bombers (8-8) on Friday, October 17 with kickoff slated for 8 p.m. ET. The Riders are coming off a win over Toronto that clinched first place in the West Division, while the Bombers lost to Edmonton, failing to clinch a playoff spot in the process.

The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of 11 degrees with rainy conditions. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on 620 CKRM in Regina and 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.