The Saskatchewan Roughriders are at the peak in terms of picks.
Saskatchewan (4-1) has a league-best 11 interceptions entering Friday’s CFL game against the 2-4 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7:30 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
When asked about the Roughriders’ penchant for picks, Head Coach Corey Mace was quick to credit Joshua Bell (Pass Game Co-ordinator/Defensive Backs Coach) and Jordan Linnen (Defensive Assistant).
“It’s just a testament to what Coach Bell and Coach Linnen are doing with that back end,” Mace said, “and (the players) having the savvy to take their opportunities and run with it when the ball is up in the air.
“We saw what happens if you don’t capitalize on those. If you turn a couple of those knockdowns into interceptions, it changes the game for us.
“We’ve got to make sure that we’re dialed in on when to take our shots and our chances.
“Certainly, there are going to be opportunities, as there is every game. We’ve just got to capitalize.”
The Roughriders’ closest pursuer in the pick parade is the Calgary Stampeders, who have seven interceptions.
The Roughriders’ 11 interceptions are only four fewer than they recorded over a full 18-game schedule in 2022 and 2023.
And get this: Until this year, the Roughriders had not intercepted 11 or more passes at the five-game mark since 1976.
In the post-Second World War era, Saskatchewan has sported a double-digit pick total 10 times at this juncture of the season. Here’s the list:
Most Interceptions After Five Games
15 — 1973
14 — 1969
14 — 1976
13 — 1951
13 — 1963
11 — 2024
10 — 1958
10 — 1987
10 — 1988
10 — 1990
The Roughriders reached double digits during Saturday’s 35-20 loss to the host B.C. Lions.
Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. had been intercepted only once this season until Rolan Milligan Jr. and Deontai Williams stepped in front of passes on Saturday. Milligan Jr.’s interception was his league-high fourth.
Along with setting the pace in interceptions, the Roughriders lead the CFL in turnovers forced (16) and turnover differential (plus-8).
“It looks nice, but we were plus-10 before we played B.C.,” Mace noted. “They’re just numbers. You’ve got to go out and prove it each week.
“Certainly, something we always preach is ‘obsession for possession.’ Take care of the football when you have it and go get it when you don’t.”
BOMBER BATTLE BECKONS
Saskatchewan is to unveil the Rider Nation Alt Jerseys for a mass audience on Friday against the traditional rivals from Winnipeg.
“The main thing is we’ve got the new jerseys coming out,” Mace said of the Roughriders’ obsidian green garb. “That’s going to be exciting. The fans are going to be going crazy.
“I understand the rivalry. It’s the first (regular-season game against Winnipeg) for myself and the other coaches and some of the players.
“We talked about that early: ‘The records or anything in these rivalry games, that never matters.’ It’s just about what’s happening on game day.
“It’s going to be physical and it’s going to be a long game. If we stay dialed, we’ll give ourselves a really good shot.”
JOVIAL JERMARCUS
A quad injury, sustained Saturday, has not affected the perpetual good nature of Roughriders right offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick.
He was on crutches, accompanied by his family, while watching Wednesday’s practice from the sideline.
Following the workout, all of Hardrick’s teammates approached him so he could break down the team.
Spotted by an elevator a few minutes later, he quipped: “They did my IV and my blood was green.”
Mace described Hardrick’s injury as “long-term,” although the team isn’t ruling out his return to the lineup by season’s end.
NUMERICAL NUGGETS
• On Saturday, Brett Lauther kicked two converts to move into sixth on the Roughriders’ All-Time list. Dave Ridgway leads the way with (541), followed by Paul McCallum (405), Jack Abendschan (312), Luca Congi (237), Reg Whitehouse (167), Lauther (142) and Bob Macoritti (141).
• Mario Alford is now fourth in All-Time kickoff returns after fattening his total by four on Saturday. Corey Holmes is atop the list with 185, followed by Tristan Jackson (146), Albert Brown (127), Alford (105) and Dwight Edwards (102). Alford is also fourth in kickoff return yards, with 2,551. He trails Holmes (4,077), Jackson (3,435) and Brown (2,687).
• Also on Saturday, A.J. Ouellette registered the 180th multi-touchdown-runs game in team history, dating back to the inception of the Regina Rugby Club in 1910. He rushed for two scores in Vancouver. Eighty-nine different Roughriders players have rushed for two or more TDs in a game, including George Reed (28 times), Wes Cates (nine) and Milson Jones (seven).
• In terms of multiple touchdowns — scored via run, reception or return — Ouellette delivered the 429th performance of that nature. Reed leads the way at 28, followed by Ken Carpenter (14), Ray Elgaard (13), Hugh Campbell (12), Don Narcisse (12) and Mike Saunders (12).
• The 2024 Roughriders have three multi-TD performances after five games. Shawn Bane Jr. had three touchdown catches on June 8 against the host Edmonton Elks. Kian Schaffer-Baker caught two touchdown passes against the Tiger-Cats on June 16 in Hamilton. Then came Ouellette.
