eft Saskatchewan to become the offensive co-ordinat

He led Saskatchewan to victory as a quarterback in one of the most exciting Grey Cup games ever in 1989, then again eight years later as the Roughriders head coach. On Sunday night, Kent Austin will return to Regina for the first time since 2007, but as the head coach, GM and football operations director of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Saskatchewans football fans are not only among the CFLs most rabid but also its most loyal. But its unclear how Austin will be received when he steps on to the field at Mosaic Stadium. "I dont really know and it doesnt really matter," Austin said Tuesday. "Listen, this games not about me. "Its about our two football teams and about our players and our staff getting our players prepared to play. It has very little to do with me." Austin spent his first seven CFL seasons with Saskatchewan, leading the Riders to a wild 43-40 Grey Cup win over Hamilton at Rogers Centre in 89. He threw for 474 yards and three TDs before smartly moving the Riders downfield to set up Dave Ridgways game-winning 35-yard field goal. Austin spent the final three years as a CFL player with B.C., Toronto and Winnipeg before returning to the CFL as a quarterbacks coach in 03 with Ottawa. He became Saskatchewans head coach in 07 and led the Riders to a 12-6 record before capping his rookie season on the sidelines celebrating a 23-19 Grey Cup win over Winnipeg. Two months later, he left Saskatchewan to become the offensive co-ordinator at his alma mater, Ole Miss, before being named Cornells head coach Jan. 26, 2010. Austin returned to the CFL on Dec. 17, 2012, joining the Ticats as their head coach, GM and director of football operations. However, he fondly remembers his time in Regina. "Great fans, they love their football team," he said. "Ive experienced that as a player and a coach and they have an environment you want in football. "Some of my best memories ever in football are obviously there and that team, that organization, that community means a lot to me and my wife and Im looking forward to going back trying to beat a really good football team with my guys." But Austins return isnt the only storyline this weekend. The Ticats roster also features quarterback Henry Burris, who had two stints in Regina (2000, 03-04) and slotback Andy Fantuz, a 2006 Riders first-round draft pick who spent his first six CFL seasons with Saskatchewan before signing as a free agent with Hamilton in 2012. Fantuz is doubtful for Sundays game due to injury. Riders linebacker Renauld Williams will face the Ticats for the first time since the CFL club released him this off-season. Hamilton gave Williams his walking papers despite finishing third overall in tackles in 2012 with a team-high 94. Williams amassed 185 tackles over two seasons with the Ticats after spending his first three seasons with Saskatchewan. Riders quarterback Darian Durants status is also unclear after he suffered a foot injury in Thursdays 39-28 road win over Toronto. Durant hasnt thrown an interception in leading Saskatchewan (3-0) to the leagues lone unbeaten record. Slotback Geroy Simon is expected to make his Riders debut against Hamilton. Acquired in the off-season from B.C., the CFLs all-time receiving yards leader has been sidelined with a lower-body injury to start the season. --- RECORD START: Its been a record-setting start for Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Kory Sheets. The five-foot-11, 208-pound sophomore has a league-high 442 rushing yards for the unbeaten Roughriders (3-0), the most to start a season in league history. Sheets broke the mark of 411 yards set in 75 by Calgary running back Willie Burden. Granted its still early, but Sheets is on pace for over 2,600 rushing yards, which would smash Hall of Famer Mike Pringles league record of 2,065 yards established in 1998. Sheets also has Pringles league mark of 2,414 yards from scrimmage in his sights. He has accumulated 491 yards and is on pace for 2,946 yards. While Sheets rushing total is the best to start a season, hes not even close to CFL record for most total yards over a three-game span. Pringle holds that mark, having accumulated 548 yards late in 98 after performances of 186, 127 and 235 yards. Pringle also holds the CFL record for most rushing yards over a four-game span at 651, set in 98. Lost in Sheets impressive start is Calgarys Jon Cornish having rushed for 304 yards. At this pace, the native of New Westminster, B.C., would finish with over 1,800 yards and surpass the 1,457 he had last year when he broke Normie Kwongs 56-year-old single-season rushing record for Canadians. --- NO PANIC: The defending Grey Cup champions are 1-2 but Toronto head coach Scott Milanovich has some advice for Argonauts fans: Dont panic. "Wed rather be 3-0," Milanovich told reporters this week. "Its no time to panic. "A lot of these players and coaches have been in this spot before." Despite its record, Toronto is in a four-way tie for first in the East Division. Last season, Toronto posted a 9-9 record before winning all three of its post-season contests, including the iconic 100th Grey Cup game at Rogers Centre. This off-season, Milanovich was named the CFLs coach of the year. Toronto faces the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Investors Group Field on Friday night. --- LOKOMBO ON LIST: A little pre-season recognition for Canadian Boseko Lokombo. The native of Abbotsford, B.C., is on the watch list for the 2013 Butkus award, given annually to the top linebacker in U.S. college football. Lokombo is entering his senior campaign at Oregon. Lokombo had 39 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 13 games with Oregon last year. He was the top-ranked prospect for this years CFL draft but fell to B.C. in the third round because he was returning to school and is expected to garner NFL attention in 2014. Oregon kicks off its season Aug. 31 hosting Nicholls. Nike Air Max Uk Sale Outlet . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Cheap Nike Air Max Uk Sale . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. http://www.wholesaleukairmax.com/ . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Nike Air Max Sale Uk . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Cheap Nike Air Max Uk . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The embezzlement trial of the founder of an international sport institute has been put on hold after he was hospitalized for an undisclosed reason.Court spokesman Craig Berke (BER-kee) says the judge excused the jurors for the day Monday after being told Dan Doyle was hospitalized.Doyle is the founder of the Rhode Island-based Institute for International Sport. He faces 18 counts, including embezzlement and forggery.ddddddddddddhe trial is scheduled to continue Tuesday. Berke said late Monday afternoon they were still awaiting word from Doyles lawyer.Doyle, of West Hartford, Connecticut, has threatened to initiate a sit-in and hunger strike in the courtroom over complaints that he is not receiving a fair trial. ' ' '