A.J. Allen is preparing for a road game that will feel a lot like home.
The fourth-year Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker is proud to hail from Burlington, Ont. — located in convenient proximity to Hamilton, where the Tiger-Cats are to play host to the Green and White on Saturday (5 p.m., TSN, CKRM).
On top of that, the University of Guelph Gryphons alumnus is likely to have an expanded role on defence following a biceps injury to weak-side linebacker C.J. Avery, who was hurt in Thursday’s season-opening, 31-26 victory over the visiting Ottawa REDBLACKS.
“The opportunity awaits me,” Allen said after Wednesday’s practice. “It’s just another opportunity to be great. That’s what I’ve always been trying to accomplish — just be the best A.J. Allen out there.
“I just have an opportunity to do that on defence now.”
Allen was the CFL’s co-leader in special teams tackles (22) last season in addition to scoring an interception-return touchdown just 1:05 into his first CFL start at weak-side linebacker.
The 48-yard TD was scored on Oct. 12th against the B.C. Lions, to the delight of a Mosaic Stadium crowd. Very soon, he can expect to hear more cheers at Hamilton Stadium.
“I’ve got all my friends and family coming,” Allen said. “Again, it’s just an opportunity in front of my friends now.
“Either way, the Riders have a goal to win a football game and go 1-and-0 this week. That’s the most important thing.”
Also of some import, Allen has been busily and resourcefully securing tickets for this weekend’s game.
“Myself, I have 20 tickets, and I couldn’t cover everybody, so some friends had to pay,” he said. “That’s the reality of it.
“But I’m expecting an army.”
That is the result of savvy negotiating.
“It’s tough (to get 20 tickets),” Allen said. “You’ve got to do some deals (with teammates). You’ve got to bargain.
“I don’t know anybody in Montreal (where the Roughriders play on Aug. 2nd), so you trade here, trade there.
“I’m a businessman, too. It has to be done. You’ve got to be smart with it. But it’s not easy. You’ve got a bunch of people trying to get tickets to that game as well.
“I actually started asking two weeks in advance. I’m not that type of person, usually, but you’ve got to do it sometimes.”
Especially as, dare we say, a virtual Hamiltonian. According to Google Maps, Burlington and Hamilton are separated by a mere 18.5 kilometres.
“I am from Burlington, Ontario,” Allen emphasized with a laugh. “I will claim my city.
“My dad lives in Hamilton, too, so I know both cities. They’re like 10 minutes apart from each other. You can get to the border real quick.
“But I’m just a kid from Burlington. That’s all I am.”
A.J., PART 2
Roughriders running back A.J. Ouellette also welcomes the looming visit to Hamilton.
He became well-acquainted with the Tiger-Cats and their opinionated fans while starring for the arch-rival Toronto Argonauts, for whom he was an East Division All-CFL selection in 2022 and 2023 before signing with Saskatchewan on Feb. 13th, 2024.
“I love road games — going in there and getting a win on someone else’s turf,” said Ouellette, who helped Saskatchewan win 33-30 in Hamilton on June 16th, 2024.
“Coming from Toronto, Hamilton fans are always eager to get after me, so I’m excited to hear what they have to say.”
Ouellette left the Ottawa game late in the first quarter following a helmet-to-helmet collision. He was a limited participant in Tuesday’s practice and a full participant on Wednesday.
Like Ouellette, defensive halfback Rolan Milligan Jr. had his status upgraded from limited to full. The CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Defensive Player suffered a head injury five plays after Ouellette left Thursday’s game.
“They’ve been cleared to practise,” Head Coach Corey Mace said. “We’ll still take a look at everything and see if they’re good to go for the game.
“To get these guys out here to be able to see if they can, that’s been a positive for us.”
INSIDE INFORMATION
The Roughriders practised inside at the AffinityPlex — across the street from Mosaic Stadium — on Tuesday and Wednesday due to heavy smoke emanating from the northern wildfires.
However, the change of environment from the great outdoors has not had a significant impact on preparations for the Hamilton game.
“If we’re able to get the reps, we’re good,” Mace said. “Certainly, being out on our own field with proper markings and all the other stuff would certainly help, but it’s an ‘adapt and conquer’ kind of deal.
“It’s just a little adversity, but we had a good practice.”
Granted, the presence of a ceiling isn’t conductive to working on punting or placekicking.
“You’re really focusing on catching the snap and doing our holding responsibilities,” Mace said. “That’s a little bit of a downfall — that you can’t really hammer them the way that you want.
“But it’s part of the deal. Hopefully tomorrow or come game day, they’re going to be out there a little bit longer.”
