Riders embrace underdog role

The Saskatchewan Roughriders football team arrived in Calgary on Tuesday, welcomed by a throng of fans at the airport.

The team plays the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday in the CFL's Grey Cup championship game.

The Saskatchewan team arrived to the enthusiastic sounds of a high school pep-rally band, a crush of sports reporters and autograph-seeking fans.

The Alouettes' arrival was scheduled for later Tuesday, just before midnight.

As the teams settle in for the lead-up to the big game, early predictions for the outcome favour the Alouettes. The Montreal club had a better regular-season record.

As well, the Roughriders could not muster a win in two outings against the Alouettes in the regular season, although one game was tantalizingly close.

"Obviously, they're a great team and we're just going to have to go out there and compete," said Rob Bagg, a Saskatchewan receiver.

"If we find a little extra motivation being the underdog, it's just going to add to a great environment. It should be fun."

The underdog status does not faze Saskatchewan's defence.

"It's a great place to be," Keith Shologan, a defensive lineman, said. "I think it's something the Riders have always excelled in.

"It takes pressure off of you knowing that you're just going there with nothing to lose if you're not expected to win. It gives you a little more motivation to go out there and prove people wrong."