Riders safety Tyron Brackenridge looks for open space after an interception against Edmonton last season. (Photo: Saskatchewan Roughriders)

The chips are stacked against the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they travel into Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium looking for their first win of the season.

The 0-and-5 Riders meet up with the 3-and-1 Eskimos on Friday night at 7:00pm, but Saskatchewan won't be heading into the game at full strength thanks to a lengthy list of injuries.

23-year-old Brett Smith will be making his first career start at quarterback in place of Kevin Glenn who was added to the Riders' six-game injured list this week, joining 14 other players on the mash unit for the green and white.

“The guys are in good spirits and they have to play football,” said head coach Corey Chamblin.

The Riders will need a lot to go right for them to come out of Commonwealth with a win as they go against the best defence in the CFL through five weeks.  The Eskimos have allowed just 14.5 points per game through four games and have held opponents to just over 300 yards a game.

With everything stacked against the Riders, the team is prepared to show their doubters wrong and come away with a victory in enemy territory.

“There's nothing else we can do but fight,” said defensive back Terrell Maze.  “At this point, we might even start to be overlooked. We're just going to fight like we have everything to gain and nothing to lose.”

The Riders defence has been their big downfall through five weeks, but the group showed signs of improvement during last week's 31-21 loss to Hamilton.  Improvement isn't enough however as they need to find a way to finish games after weakening down the stretch again last week.

“We came out ready to play last week, we definitely came out as a team, as a defence, ready to go against a good offence,” said linebacker Jeff Knox Jr.  “We just need to keep it in mind that the game is never over.   We just got to keep that in our mentality and our mindset, that the game is never over.”

All facets of the game will need to be working in unison this week for the Riders with a rookie quarterback at the helm and a tough test in front of them.

“There's no more pressure to get a win,” said head coach Corey Chamblin.  “It's the same pressure that we face every week, the odds may look greater, but like everything else, we've had good practices, Brett did a very good job (preparing) and the guys are behind him.”

Demski Getting Back in Stride

Nic Demski had a tough start to his CFL career when he suffered a shoulder injury late in his first game.

The speedy first round pick returned to the lineup last week and didn't seem to miss a beat for the Riders.  He's now looking to make up for lost time and help the team to their first win.

“It was good to go out there with the boys again.  Obviously I'm still trying to improve on my game a little bit, but at the same time we're close to a win and we're going to keep working until we get there,” said Demski.

The University of Manitoba product said that he has been able to learn a lot from the veteran receivers that he has around him and is soaking it all in each and every practice.

“I'm learning things and pay attention to what they do and I'm looking at how they still learn about the game as well, so it's good,” said Demski.

With Glenn out this week, Demski said the receivers are aiming to pick up the slack for Smith, who's making his first career start.

“He brings a lot of athleticism and how he extends a play, he uses his legs very effectively and we have a great game plan geared towards him and I think he's going to come out and have a good game,” said Demski.

Roster Continues to Change

The Riders added two more players to the six-game injured list this week with Glenn out with a torn pectoral injury and fullback Spencer Moore suffering a foot injury that will keep him out several weeks.

Fullback Carl Fitzgerald was signed this week and will be on the team's roster behind Matt Rea in Edmonton.  He will also serve on special teams, while quarterback Keith Price makes his first appearance on the Riders' game-day roster as the third-quarterback behind Smith and Tino Sunseri.

Defensive back Tristan Jackson returns to the roster, but won't play on Friday night as he continues to recover from an injury suffered two weeks ago against BC.

The Riders will hit the field in Edmonton at 7:00pm on Friday night.