ROBSERVATIONS: What to watch at training camp … 10 years as a Rider for Jorgen Hus … Corey’s quips … unleashing a one-liner.
SASKATOON — Corey Mace has pared down his list of burning curiosities to, well, everything!
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ second-year Head Coach is not emphasizing a specific facet of the team heading into Coors Light Training Camp, which is to begin Sunday morning (8:30, Griffiths Stadium, University of Saskatchewan).
“I really like the guys that we have, but there is going to be competition at every single position,” Mace said. “We’ll make sure that we slot it that way so guys understand that.
“We’re just looking for everybody to push the level. The ceiling is limitless but, the floor, we can certainly raise that. If we can do that, we’re happy about the outcome.”
Although a head coach is responsible for the entire roster, lesser beings such as sports writers have the latitude and temerity to cherry-pick.
With that in mind, here is one seasoned scribe’s list of burning questions:
• How will Trevor Harris look? (Anticipated answer: Exceptional. But all eyes are always on the starting quarterback, so there is the imperative of posing the first question. Onwards …)
• How will A.J. Ouellette look? The Roughriders’ featured running back, whose workouts have always been intense and productive, lost 20-plus pounds during an absolutely sensational off-season.
• What about the receivers? The Green and White boasts five Canadian pass-catchers (Samuel Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker, Dhel Duncan-Busby, Mitch Picton and Tommy Nield) who have merited starting duty in the CFL. Saskatchewan started three national pass-catchers in 12 of its 20 games last season, playoffs included. Will the Roughriders stick with the troika? If so, what are the ratio-related benefits? And how difficult will it be for some American receivers, as talented as they are, to make the active or practice rosters?
• How is Jermarcus Hardrick? The veteran right tackle suffered a season-ending quad injury in the Roughriders’ fifth game of 2024. He is to return to the practice field Sunday.
• Who will handle the punting? This much we know: It will be an Australian — Bailey Flint or Joe Couch.
• How about the defensive line? The Roughriders are two deep at the tackle spots (Micah Johnson, Mike Rose, Caleb Sanders, Charbel Dabire) even before some impressive newcomers are factored into the equation. As well, one defensive end spot is wide open, with Malik Carney being an incumbent on the opposite flank. Shane Ray, the Denver Broncos’ first-round draft choice in 2015, is among the intriguing newcomers to the Green and White.
• What’s up with the linebackers? Jameer Thurman (middle linebacker) and C.J. Reavis (cover linebacker) are both coming off divisional or league All-CFL seasons. The strong-side spot is entirely up for grabs, with a long list of candidates. And what about the nationality? The strong-side position was routinely occupied by Adam Auclair last season. With Auclair having signed with the B.C. Lions, will a fellow Canadian take his place in Saskatchewan? If not, who is next in line? C.J. Avery? Antoine Brooks Jr.? Someone else? So many possibilities. So much depth. Nice problem to have.
• Is Tevaughn Campbell as advertised? If so — and there isn’t any reason to suspect otherwise — the Roughriders will be able to start a Canadian at cornerback and receive the ever-popular ratio rewards. Campbell is the rare home-grown defensive back who has started (and scored an interception-return touchdown) in the CFL and NFL. He is nearing 32 but is not a high-mileage player.
• Who will come out of nowhere? There’s always someone. Stay tuned!
GREEN-HUS EFFECT
Jorgen Hus will mark a major milestone on Sunday.
The Saskatoon-born long snapper is one sleep away from 10-year anniversary as a Roughrider.
On May 11, 2015, Saskatchewan acquired Hus from Edmonton for receiver Cory Watson. The University of Regina Rams alumnus signed with the Roughriders five days later and is now the team’s active leader in continuous service.
When the regular season opens on June 5 against the visiting Ottawa REDBLACKS, Hus will officially become the 52nd player to spend at least 10 seasons with the Roughriders.
His contributions, valued as they are, extend far beyond the football field.
Hus, 35, is an inexhaustible contributor to the community — someone who has travelled to all points of the province to meet with and inspire young people.
Fittingly, Hus was the 2024 recipient of the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award.
The award recognizes a Canadian CFL player who best demonstrates the attributes of Canada’s military veterans — strength, perseverance, courage, comradeship and contributions to Canadian communities.
Hus became the third consecutive Roughrider to receive the award, following Dan Clark (2022) and Brayden Lenius (2023). Saskatchewan’s Mike McCullough was the inaugural winner in 2010. The Roughriders’ Graeme Bell received the award two years later.
Another anniversary of note: Gordon Gilroy recently marked 20 years as a member of the team’s equipment staff. He was Norm Fong’s assistant until succeeding him as the Equipment Manager in 2009.
COREY’S QUIPS
Mace has delivered a zinger on a regular basis since Wednesday, when rookie camp began.
The first target was, well, read on …
Yours truly, shortly before the first on-field media scrum of 2025: “Aren’t you excited to be doing this again?”
The response: “I was feeling good until I saw you and then it was, “Awww (shoot), here we go again …’ ”
Once the Q&A began, Mace was asked about former Rams signal-caller Josh Donnelly, a first-year member of the Roughriders’ coaching staff.
“He’s still the worst quarterback we have out here, so I’m glad he’s coaching now,” Mace replied. “But, man, he’s a bright, bring young mind.”
Subsequently, a question pertained to Offensive Co-ordinator Marc Mueller — also an ex-Ram. Injecting Donnelly into the response, Mace said: “They’re both outstanding coaches, obviously, and both not very good quarterbacks.”
Next in the crosshairs — jokingly, we hasten to add — was new Running Backs Coach Andrew Harris.
“He tweaked his back standing here,” Mace said, “so he’s officially a coach.”
All this comedic gold, already … and main camp has yet to begin!
As recommended earlier: Stay tuned.
ONE MORE ONE-LINER
While returning to the U of S dorms after a delectable, on-campus buffet dinner, this carnivore and Roughriders Communications Intern Amalie Sarauer were introduced to a university student and his congenial canine companion.
We stopped to chat, of course, and to coo over the adorable growler.
“I brought him here so he could see where I fail my classes,” the proud dog-owner said.
SHORT SNORTS
• Full disclosure: I shamelessly stole SHORT SNORTS from Regina Leader-Post legend Bob Hughes (1944-2013).
• Every time another legend — Toronto Maple Leafs play-by-play voice Joe Bowen — refers to goaltender “Joey Woll,” I think of Joey Walters.
• Pet peeve about the NHL: Referees call games much more leniently in the playoffs — and especially in the latter stages of a post-season contest. In football, a penalty is a penalty, period.
• Thank you, thank you, thank you to the U of S staff for welcoming us all so cordially.
• One more burning question: How many more times will I cut myself shaving while we are in Saskatoon? Three days of rookie camp in the books. Two wounds. One crisis. No sutures … yet.
• As my father, Alan Vanstone, liked to say: “It looks like you shaved with a lawnmower.”
ROLL CREDITS …
• Nice people who deserve a plug: Joe Couch, Alex Smith Sr., Chris Best, Petra Mace, Johnathon Stevens, Brooke Kosolofski, Wayne Ruby Jr., Joe Couch, Joe Robustelli, Marquay McDaniel, Aldo Galvan, Alex Gubner, Logan Ferland, Jermarcus Hardrick, Liam Hoskins, Brayden Misseri, Jack Coan, Jameer Thurman, C.J. Reavis, Jaxon Ford, Jayden Dalke, Brett Lauther, Mitch Picton, Shawn Bane Jr., Mario Alford, Gordon Gilroy, Dalton Clarke, Brooke Kosolofski, Michael Hiers, Nicario Harper, Amelie Sarauer, Bryan Sarauer, Karrie Sarauer, Lauren Sarauer, Mason Novik, Barry Zerr, Cindy Zerr, Arielle Zerr, Oliver Zerr, Dave Thomas, Jackson Imrie, Shane Clausing, Rhena Rasmussen, Neeti Sharma, Bill Hales, Doug King, Brayden Lenius, Peter Godber, Judy O’Day and, as Mother’s Day looms, all the amazing moms who bless our lives and enrich our memories. Miss you and love you, Mom.
