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REGINA -- There's a record seven 1,000-yard rushers in the CFL, but Wes Cates is focused on his team's record and not his own.
One more win gets the Saskatchewan Roughriders first place in the West Division, and whether the starting running back gets one yard or 100 it doesn't matter to him.
When looking for motivation for tonight's meeting with the Calgary Stampeders, Cates could have three things to focus on.
They would be, in order: Win the right to host the West final, bury his former team to second and then get into the 1,000-yard club. He needs 122 yards to get there.
"I have an opportunity to get my 1,000 yards and I will do everything I can to get there," said Cates, who played with the Stamps in 2006. "I'm not big on promises but I promise to play one of my best games this season and put forth my best effort. If things fall into place, I will hit that mark."
Despite being the only CFL team without a 1,000-yard rusher or receiver, the Riders have built a 9-7-1 record and have a chance at the top seed in the West.
They rank sixth in yards per game, but their best outing was three weeks ago against the Stamps when they put up 520 yards. It seems when the game gets into the closing stages, the Riders offence gets better.
"That's our M.O.," Cates said. "That's the way we like to play. We don't like to give up on any situation, no matter how adverse. We come out ready to play and go for four quarters.
"I can't say we've done that every game but most of the time we need to make it a game, we do. I expect nothing less than that this week."
The Riders had a stinker last week in losing at Hamilton, but Cates said the offence is feeling good coming back home.
"We should win this game, we expect to win this game, we're preparing to win this game, so to think anything otherwise isn't wise."
IAN.BUSBY@SUNMEDIA.CA