Riders name Brandon Bridge starting QB for visit to Hamilton

The Saskatchewan Roughriders or Chris Jones are not hiding the decisions as to which quarterback will be starting in Hamilton.

“Brandon [Bridge] will be the starter and David [Watford] will have certain packages where he’s in the game running certain plays.” Jones said. “It’s like in baseball when the starter comes in and he is acing the opponent then he stays in the game until he starts to struggle and if he starts to struggle the reliever comes in. It’s the same thing we did last year.”

Jones started Bridge but rotated CFL rookie David Watford in for at least one series per quarter in Saskatchewan’s 18-13 win against Hamilton in Week 5. Bridge completed 11-of-13 passes for 101 yards, including the crucial 29-yard completion to Josh Stanford which set up the winning major, while rushing four times for 30 yards and accounting for all 12 offensive points the Riders scored. Watford went 3-of-6 for 47 yards and ran seven times for 50 yards, all of his drives ended in punts.

Bridge will start in the Hammer in Week 6 for the Riders, a place where he has positive memories. Last year Bridge started in Week 13 at Tim Hortons Field and guided the team to a 27-19 victory with 21-of-31 completed passes for 231 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Canadian quarterback is 2-0 in his career as a starter against Hamilton.