Ed Tait
Winnipeg Free Press

REGINA -- Buck Pierce will lead the Winnipeg Blue Bombers into action in Sunday afternoon’s annual Labour Day Classic against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

After keeping the decision secret over the last couple of days, head coach Paul LaPolice announced upon arrival at the team’s hotel here Saturday afternoon that Pierce would be the starting quarterback, with Steven Jyles and Alex Brink in reserve.

"After watching him in the last couple of weeks and this week’s practice and coming off the bye week we felt his mobility was good and throwing the ball well and locating it," said LaPolice.

"We feel that we’ll give him an opportunity to play. If you think about his two games at the beginning of the year you could say he was as good as any quarterback in the Canadian Football League, if not the best. That’s a guy you want on your side. We’ll evaluate how it goes."

Sunday’s match-up between the 2-6 Bombers and 5-3 Riders will be Pierce’s first start since starting, but not finishing, in a loss to Hamilton back on Aug. 13th. Pierce is 1-3 as a starter for the Bombers, the same as Jyles.

"It’s great," said Pierce. "I’m very excited to be the starting quarterback for this big game and I’m excited to go out there and help our team. I’ve heard about this (the Labour Day) game a lot. But it’s a big game in a number of ways. We’re desperate for a win on the road. The excitement that surrounds this weekend is all new to me, but I’ve played here before and I’ve enjoyed success here.

"It’s a great place to play. It’s what the CFL is all about and I’m excited about getting a chance to experience it."

Courtesy: www.winnipegfreepress.com