The Saskatchewan Roughriders went their separate ways after Saturday's 32-20 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that improved their record to a CFL-best 5-0.  The team is on their bye week, meaning players are headed home for a rest before getting back to work.

The Riders have a lot to be happy about as they get set to take a step back for a few days with all three phases of the game working against the Ti-Cats for the second straight week.

“A win is a win and it was a good road win,” said head coach Corey Chamblin at the Regina International Airport when the team returned from their game in Guelph.

The team started slow in the game as Hamilton came out fired up after last week's 37-0 shutout win by the Riders, but they were able to withstand the initial fire from the Ti-Cats and take over the game.

“You're on the road, you're in a different environment that we hadn't been before, so that's always tough, but we finished pretty smooth,” Chamblin said.

“They were a focused bunch and they were ready to go and we knew that they would be ready to play.  Once we found out what they were doing, we were ready to roll.”

The break is coming at a perfect time for the team with some players, mainly starting quarterback Darian Durant banged up.  “It's a great thing because we need some rest and then we'll be ready to go,” said Chamblin.

The Riders are rolling into the break with Durant being the only significant injury, and they're playing at the top of their game right now.  Chamblin couldn't think of a better way to go into the bye week.

“Definitely a perfect way (to go into the break),” he said.  “It leaves us undefeated for last week and it gives us something to look forward to when coming back and going to Calgary.”

The Riders head coach had one message for his players heading into the break.  “Just be smart, take care of yourselves and come back better than when we left,” he said.

Only about a dozen players and most of the coaching staff made their way back to Regina after the game.  The team will reconvene on Saturday for practice at Mosaic Stadium to start getting ready for their Week 7 match-up with the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium.

Chick Gets His First Sack

It came right before training camp, but John Chick was one of the biggest signings for the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the offseason and it's been paying off huge.

Chick picked up his first sack during the Riders' 32-20 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday that moved their record to 5-0.

It might have only been his first sack, but Chick has been providing plenty of pressure so far this season and that causing problems for opposing quarterbacks and offensive lines.  However he said it was nice to get in on the sack party.

“Definitely nice to get one on the board, felt great and hopefully that's just the beginning,” said Chick.  “More importantly the way we're playing and flying around, it's just great to be apart of a team that things are going well for us right now, so that's good.”

The Riders defence had five sacks in the win over the Ti-Cats, bringing their five-game total to a CFL-best 22.  Chick said there's a lot working for them right now.

“Everything (is working),” he said.  “Guys are flying and it doesn't matter who's in there, guys are stepping up and doing their job.”

The team heads into their bye week this week and Chick added that confidence is high around the squad, but they're not getting over confident.

“Great start, but it's a very long season,” he said.  “It's still a week at a time right now.  Things are good, but there's still a long way to go.”

The Riders are off until Saturday when they return to practice.  Next game action is on Friday, August 9th in Calgary.