Saskatchewan Roughriders roll over Ottawa; have short week before meeting Drew Willy, Blue Bombers

After banking a blowout win on Bank Street, Darian Durant reminded everyone how much last year is out of sight and out of mind in Next Year Country.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders once again pounced on an Eastern team in Saturday's 38-14 win over the shaky Ottawa Redblacks, quickly moving the focus to the short workweek they have before dropping in on Drew Willy and Co. in Winnipeg on Thursday. Having the second leg of a road trip come against the West Division-leading Blue Bombers, who are 5-1 with Durant's former understudy under centre, is the stuff of pretty good Week 7 potboiler. That said, the 'Riders (3-2) having a short turnaround to get over a myriad of key injuries might be a more germane storyline.

And the East is the East. Dropping 32 points in the opening 22 minutes on Ottawa (1-4) is hardly a broadside.

"None — we have to come out and play," Durant said when asked what message the early onslaught sent to Winnipeg. "This game is over. They're going to be ready; they're at home. Both teams know what's at stake. It's going to be a good game.

"It's good not to have to get on a four-hour flight back home," the quarterback added in reference to Saskatchewan's plan to stay in the Ottawa area before travelling to Winnipeg. "We don't have to worry about getting up to catch an early flight. We can get our treatment here."

Saskatchewan, of course, has parted with Kory Sheets, Weston Dressler, Keith Shologan and Geroy Simon — is that all? — since raising the Grey Cup at home in November. The CFL, though, is all about a team regenerating its nucleus and striving to peak by November. Saskatchewan has, at the very least, not made a task out of dispatching the East's trio of one-win teams.

"We're keeping pace," said Durant, who was an interception-free 19-of-25 for 294 yards with one touchdown. "We don't want to get too far behind [in the standings]. At the end of the season, our games are pretty much all against Western opponents. We're going to make sure we put ourselves in position to get a home playoff game when that time comes."

Star guard Brendon LaBatte did not return after injuring an ankle on Saskatchewan's opening drive, although 'Riders coach Corey Chamblin said that was a precaution. Cornerback Tristan Jackson, who had an interception and returned a missed field goal 112 yards for a touchdown, was also slow getting up after a collision in the second half. Other main cogs such as centre Dominic Picard and wideout Brett Swain have nagging ailments.

"That's the adversity we have to deal with, being on the road and having a quick turnaround," Chamblin said. "We just have to nurse the guys' injuries and be smart about how we practise.

"It'll be a test of our mettle, playing a top team coming off a short week," Chamblin added. "There will be a lot of things that we'll have to overcome.

"It's a huge test. One that I hope we pass."

'Winnipeg's the best team in the league right now'

Saskatchewan, with slotback Chris Getzlaf making his season debut, was able to crank up its passing game after having Durant throw only 17 times in Week 5 against Toronto. Ottawa, of course, was missing its best cover corner, Jovon Johnson.

Point being, Saturday was a win to turn the page on quickly, due to the CFL's rather quirky scheduling. Saskatchewan will practise only once before trekking to the 'Peg.

"We're going to enjoy this win tonight and we're going to back to work," said veteran wide receiver Rob Bagg, who had a game-high 123 yards on six catches. "Winnipeg's the best team in the league right now. We have something to prove and I know that place [Investors Group Field] is going to be rocking. We can't wait to get down there.

"Any time you have a short week you have to prepare mentally as hard as you can," Bagg added. "You're just hoping that your body recovers physically. Mentally we'll all be right."

Meantime, there is the irresistible hook, with Saskatchewan facing Willy, the first-year starter who is the CFL's third-rated passer (95.8 rating) and its second-most prolific (1,662 yards). The former 'Riders backup has authored two late comebacks, including Thursday's 27-26 verdict over Hamilton, where Willy found Nic Grigsby for the winning touchdown with zeroes on the clock.

"I don't take credit for it but I can remember a time when Drew came into my office and told me he would be a starting quarterback in this league and he'd do a great job," Chamblin said. "It's a self-fulfilling prophecy and he's living it."

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.