The Saskatchewan Roughriders and BC Lions get set for a big West Division showdown tonight at Mosaic Stadium, but this game will take on a different meaning.

     The Riders and the rest of the CFL are mourning the loss of long-time Quarterback Ron Lancaster, who passed away Thursday morning at the age of 69.

     Lancaster played for the Green and White for 16 years, and delivered them their first ever Grey Cup in 1966. He would serve as a coach for the Riders, and later the Edmonton Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, helping those teams win Grey Cups. He was also an accomplished sports broadcaster, providing colour commentary for the CFL on CBC alongside the late Don Wittman during the 1980s.

    Offensive Lineman Gene Makowsky said Thursday that Lancaster was really "Mr. CFL", doing it all for the league on and off the field and with great success. He added that it is a real sad day for Canadian sports.

    Head Coach Ken Miller says it has been a sombre couple of days since Lancaster's passing, but believes the Riders will play well tonight to celebrate the life and legend of "The Little General"

    A memorial tribute will take place before tonight's 7:30 kick-off, and the Riders will also be wearing their retro uniforms, with a decal displaying Lancaster's sweater number 23 pasted on every helmet. A special marking has also been applied on the Taylor Field turf at both 23-yard lines.