The first two weeks of Craig Dickenson's head coaching career haven't gone exactly how he would have hoped.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders lost starting quarterback Zach Collaros three plays into the season and lost 23-17 to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Now will be playing two quarterbacks during their Week 2 road matchup with the Ottawa Redblacks.

"It's going to be a tough game, Ottawa is built from the ground up, they're a good football team, they're very good on both fronts and they play smart, fundamentally sound football, so it will be a challenge," said Riders head coach Craig Dickenson. "Our guys know it's going to be a tough game but we've had a good week of practice and we'll play well."

Cody Fajardo will start at quarterback for the Riders, while rookie pivot Isaac Harker will also see time behind centre during the game. Dickenson said he's seeing a passion for football from both players and they will both bring something different to the field.

"They're both effective at moving the offence so they both had a good week and we’ll see them both in the game," he said.

Farjado is in his fourth CFL season, but first in Saskatchewan. He's looking forward to the opportunity in front of him.

"I feel like this time has been coming for me, I've been in this league for a while now and I'm excited to get the opportunity to have the football from the opening kickoff," said Fajardo. "Being a backup, it's a little bit harder because game-plan wise, it's more tailored towards the starter and now being the starter, the game-plan can be tailored to my strengths."

Fajardo threw for 66 yards on 9-of-17 passing in relief of Collaros last week. He also rushed for 34 yards and a touchdown.

Harker made the Riders out of training camp after an impressive showing in the final preseason game. He was 8-of-14 for 128 yards with two interceptions during last week's game against Hamilton.

Dickenson said the Riders will help their quarterbacks with a balanced attack, "In pro football, you can't do the same thing over-and-over, teams are too good, they just figure it out," he said, "We've got to be balanced on offence and show different looks on defence and in the kicking game as well."

Powell, Leonard Return to Ottawa

The Riders signed William Powell and AC Leonard away from the Redblacks during the offseason and both players will need to be impact players this week in their returns to Ottawa.

"When you go back to a place where you were and maybe had success, there's some motivation to go back and show them what you're missing out on," said Dickenson.

Powell, who ran for 104 yards and a touchdown in the Riders' Week 1 loss to Hamilton, is ready to show the Redblacks what they're missing.

"I'm just excited to get back to TD Place and get out there on the field and be playing for the Riders this time," said Powell.

"It's always a little more exciting going to your old stomping ground, but I'm going to approach it just like any other game and it’s still football, so I'll be ready to go."

Leonard had one tackle during his first game back in green and white last week. Dickenson said that he expects to see a motivated Leonard this week against Ottawa.

"He's playing good, he's definitely a more mature player this time around, he's a little older, a little wiser and has done a nice job, we're looking for him to do some good things in this game," said Dickenson.

Game Notes

Ottawa won 32-28 in Calgary during their Week 1 rematch of the 2018 Grey Cup. Quarterback Dominique Davis rushed for three touchdowns but also threw four interceptions in the game.

"Dominique is a good football player, he's a big strong guy, so we're going to have to bring it and when we get home, he's not going to go down easy," said Dickenson. "He's a dangerous thrower and when he gets on the perimeter, he's hard to tackle."

The Riders lost 40-17 to the Redblacks during a Week 2 matchup in Ottawa last season and they've lost their last three meetings with last season's East Division champs.

Saskatchewan and Ottawa hit the field at 5:30 p.m. Sask time on Thursday.