'Air Canada' steals the show in Riders' 1st game at Mosaic

Although Canada Day celebrations aren't scheduled for another few weeks, it was a Canadian who stole the quarterbacking show as the curtain rose on the new stadium Saturday night.

After relinquishing a 22-10 lead in the fourth quarter, the Riders salvaged a 25-25 tie with Winnipeg on Quinn Van Gylswyk's last second field goal from 38 yards out.

Brandon Bridge played with a chip on his shoulder as he took full advantage of the time he got in the Saskatchewan Roughriders pre-season opener.

He declined to speculate on whether he felt his performance moved him up the depth chart.

"I'm trying to go out there and show that I can be the guy," said Bridge to the first wave of reporters to surround his locker-room stall after the game.

"A lot of teams are saying I'm not accurate, the eye in the sky does not lie, whatever they want to say about that, it's mind-boggling to me."

Bridge, who was born in Toronto, was drafted in the fourth round by Montreal in 2015.

After being released by the Alouettes last summer, he was signed by the Riders a week later.

Although he was the lone holdover in the Riders' quarterbacking stable entering training camp a couple weeks ago, he was never considered a leading candidate to be Kevin Glenn's backup when the regular season kicks off.

Vince Young was the early contender, but the former NFL pro-bowler had a rollercoaster ride at camp until suffering a hamstring injury last week.

Then Bryan Bennett moved in with consistently strong showings in Saskatoon.

But when the lights came on at the new stadium Saturday night, the depth chart reshuffled.

"I thought Brandon played really well." said head coach Chris Jones after watching Bridge complete 20 of 26 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown.

Bridge carries the handle "Air Canada", however unlike most Canadian quarterbacks, he came up through the American college system at the University of South Alabama.

"I'm just trying to help any Canadian who wants to play quarterback, coming from CIS or NCAA," said Bridge.

"It's been a while since a Canadian quarterback has been like, you know, Russ Jackson. I'm just trying to be that next guy. I'm just trying to open doors and really kind of show every GM in the CFL that it doesn't matter what your passport says or what colour your skin, we can actually play this game."

And Saturday night, the Canadian played better than any other quarterback who took the field and there were seven in total, the Blue Bombers included.

Although the company line is 'we are all in this together', the battle is between teammates.

Brandon Bridge's competition is Bryan Bennett who, despite glowing reviews in camp, couldn't get it done in a game.

A meaningless game as far as the season goes, but it's a job interview for individuals.

"I thought Bryan, he's had a great camp but today (Saturday) I felt he was a little bit shaky at times and his body language wasn't great," said Jones.

"But he's a strong kid, he's a competitor, but I'm sure he's going to come back next week and play well."

Bennett was 7 for 15 and 82 yards but he also had issues gripping the ball as three got away from him, two were recovered by Winnipeg.

"Not good enough obviously," said Bennett.

"I don't think I played up to my standard. That's how it goes sometimes, you've got to bounce back, that's all that matters, go back to work tomorrow."

Bennett added that he would allow himself one day of a self-inflicted kick in the butt.

"Twenty-four hour rule. Win or lose, good or bad, you've got 24 hours and then it's over, forget about it."

Unfortunately for Bennett, Saturday's game against the Bombers was likely his best and only opportunity to make an impression.

It seems likely the final pre-season game in Vancouver next Friday will be all about Kevin Glenn and giving him time to tune up for the season.

Glenn didn't play at all against the Bombers.

There are three days left of training camp in Saskatoon and many decisions still to be made. Stay tuned.

The first CFL game at new Mosaic Stadium was officially announced as a sellout with 33,350 tickets sold.

However, thousands of empty seats would beg to differ.

While many season ticket holders opted to stay home for the pre-season game, many fans also took advantage of the new stadium's open concourse. It provides a full view of the field — a socializing feature the old stadium did not have.

Following the game the Riders bussed back to their training camp home in Saskatoon.

Camp resumes Monday morning at SMF Field as the Riders start to prepare for their final pre-season game in Vancouver Friday night.