ROBSERVATIONS: Roughriders’ #7 is #1! … support for Wayne Kuntz … time elapses in a snap … golf comes to the fore!

Trevor Harris can deliver the football in less time than it takes a sports writer to sniff out a cutlet.

The subject of Harris’s quick release was broached last week in this cherished space, which included this comment from Saskatchewan Roughriders teammate A.J. Ouellette: “I don’t know what his snap-to-release time was, but I’m sure it was at the top.”

I was, too, but nonetheless sought out verification.

An e-mail was sent to Mike Woytowich of the Roughriders’ Video and Analytics department. He responded in, well, a snap!

Harris was the clear leader among all CFL quarterbacks who had at least 10 dropbacks in 2025.

His average time to throw (AVGTTT) was a lightning-quick 2.20 seconds.

Next in line was the B.C. Lions’ Jeremiah Masoli (2.37). Masoli attempted 88 passes, compared to 566 by Harris (playoffs included).

Among quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts, the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ Dru Brown had the fastest time (2.49 seconds) of anyone not named Trevor Harris. Brown had 288 attempts.

Some other AVGTTTs from quarterbacks who unfurled 100-plus passes:

2.53: McLeod Bethel-Thompson (Montreal Alouettes) and Bo Levi Mitchell (Hamilton Tiger-Cats).

2.64: Nick Arbuckle (Toronto Argonauts) and Zach Collaros (Winnipeg Blue Bombers).

2.69: Cody Fajardo (Edmonton Elks) and Nathan Rourke (B.C.).

Jake Maier, who was Saskatchewan’s backup quarterback last season, sported an AVGTTT of 2.45. He attempted 98 passes.

Harris is first on another list — which ranks Roughriders starting quarterbacks by winning percentage (minimum 30 regular-season starts).

65.6% — Trevor Harris (21-11-0 record).

62.7% — Ron Lancaster (147-86-7).

61.4% — Cody Fajardo (27-17-0).

58.8% — Kerry Joseph (20-14-0).

52.9% — Kent Austin (45-40-0).

51.8% — Darian Durant (58-54-1).

48.8% — Nealon Greene (20-21-0).

48.2% — Frank Tripucka (38-39-5).

45.0% — Bob Ptacek (12-15-3).

43.5% — Tom Burgess (20-26-0).

WAYNE IS WONDERFUL

In October of 2017, I had the honour of meeting Wayne Kuntz.

Wayne welcomed me into his home — located just a few first downs away from Taylor Field — a few days before the old stadium’s west grandstand was toppled during what was termed a “controlled collapse.”

During a wonderful chat, Wayne (then 67) told me about his first visit to Taylor Field for a Roughriders game. The year was 1958, and Cookie Gilchrist was the Green and White’s star ball-carrier.

Little did Wayne suspect at that he would one day own a residence beside the stadium that had become a second home.

He rented the house, on Garnet Street, in 1993. Two years later, he purchased the property outright.

“I’ve always been a Rider fan,” Wayne told me for a Regina Leader-Post story, “so what better place to be living?”

Like Taylor Field, Wayne’s backyard became a magnet for football fans. “Wayne’s World Tailgate Party” was a must-visit event for fans of the Roughriders and Blue Bombers on Labour Day weekend.

Sadly, Wayne lost his home on April 4. The cause was an “arson fire,” according to his daughter, Kelly Kuntz.

“What started in his shed quickly spread, leaving his home uninhabitable,” she wrote on a GoFundMe page that has been set up to assist her dad.

“He left for Easter dinner that day with only the clothes on his back, and sadly, he won’t be returning home for quite some time.

“We are incredibly grateful that Wayne, his cat Bear, and his dog Jersey made it out safely. That’s what matters most of all. But the reality is … he’s lost almost everything.

“This past year has already been a difficult one. My dad was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and also suffered a stroke. Day-to-day life has been anything but simple, and now, without a home, everything feels even more uncertain.

“Wayne isn’t just my dad; he’s well-known in his community and a dear friend and family member to so many. He is deeply loved and supported.

“If you know my dad, you know the kind of person he is. He’s been a lifelong member of Rider Nation, a familiar face to so many, and someone who has always shown up for others.

“He’s the guy who makes space for everyone, who gives what he can without hesitation, and who treats all people with kindness and respect.

“Now, we’re asking for a little help for him.”

As of this writing, nearly $18,000 had been raised.

THE AARON ERA

Long snapper Aaron Crawford shattered a record the moment he signed with Saskatchewan on Monday.

He is the new standard-bearer in this admittedly obscure category: Longest interval between contractual obligations to the Roughriders.

Crawford initially joined the team on Oct. 3, 2012, when he was added to the practice roster. He attended the subsequent training camp, only to be released on June 17, 2013.

A total of 4,676 days elapsed before he was again under contract to the Green and White, after playing in 166 CFL games.

The addition of Crawford gave Saskatchewan three of the top 11 players on this list of luminaries:

4,676 — Aaron Crawford, long snapper (June 17, 2013-April 6, 2026).

4,025 — Lance Chomyc, placekicker (July 24, 1985-July 31, 1996).

3,928 — Kevin Glenn, quarterback (May 19, 2004-Feb. 19, 2015).

3,697 — Steve Glenn, long snapper (June 18, 1995-Aug. 1, 2005).

3,646 — Drew Tate, quarterback (Nov. 9, 2008-Nov. 3, 2018).

3,493 — Jovon Johnson, defensive back (Nov. 26, 2007-June 19, 2017).

3,423 — Paul McCallum, kicker/punter (Feb. 15, 2006-July 1, 2015).

2,919 — Jermarcus Hardrick, offensive lineman (Feb. 16, 2016-Feb. 13, 2024).

2,866 — Jamel Richardson, receiver (Feb. 16, 2007-Dec. 22, 2014).

2,829 — Derick Armstrong, receiver (Jan. 13, 2003-Oct. 12, 2010).

2,821 — Glenn Kulka, defensive lineman (June 26, 1987-March 17, 1995).

2,729 — Tevaughn Campbell, defensive back (Aug. 15, 2017-Feb. 3, 2025).

Crawford, by the way, stood out at linebacker with the Prairie Football Conference’s Regina Thunder in 2006 and 2007.

On Oct. 1, 2006, he registered the longest fumble return in Canadian Junior Football League history, scoring a 107-yard touchdown against the visiting Winnipeg Rifles.

When training camp begins in May, Crawford will become the 34th Thunder product to practise with the Roughriders.

He is bidding to become the eighth Thunder alumnus to suit up for Saskatchewan in at least one regular-season game. The current septet consists of defensive linemen Zack Evans (2012-13, 2018-19) and Ivan Brown (2016), offensive linemen Dan Clark (2012-22) and Logan Ferland (2021-present), running back Stu Foord (2008-11), receiver Chris Getzlaf (2008-15, 2017) and defensive back Paul Woldu (2012-15).

Who are the other 26, you ask?

Quarterback: Asher Hastings (training camp, 2012).

Running back: Jonathan Thebaud (training camp, 2017).

Offensive linemen: Matt Halbgewachs (training camp/practice roster, 2015); Matt Knight (training camp/practice roster, 2016); Brendon Philogene (training camp, 2017); Connor Klassen (training camp/practice roster, 2022); Riley Schick (practice roster, 2022-23); Caleb Barajas (practice roster, 2024-25); James Lucio (practice roster, 2025).

Receivers: Jeff Bolen (training camp, 2008-09); Kolten Solomon (training camp, 2011-12); Clay Cooke (training camp/practice roster 2012); Mitch Thompson (training camp, 2013; training camp/practice roster, 2014); Preston Bews (practice roster, 2015); Greg Lamb (training camp, 2019); Isaiah Woodley (practice roster, 2023).

Kicker/punter: Kris Calcutt (training camp, 2016-17).

Defensive linemen: David Rybinski (training camp, 2013); Reece McCormick (training camp, 2022); Max Parkinson (practice roster, 2023).

Linebackers: Jordan Matechuk (training camp/practice roster, 2013); Brandon Whitehouse (training camp, 2014); Stephen Smith (training camp/practice roster, 2024); Kenten Effa (practice roster, 2025).

Defensive backs: Bruce McCall (training camp, 2013); Robbie Lowes (training camp, 2017).

Matechuk and Whitehouse also brought long-snapping skills to the equation, a la Crawford.

MASTER-MIND

How many ex-Roughriders hail from the home of the Masters? Fore!

I mean … four.

Corvey Irvin, from Augusta, Ga., played all 18 games for the 2016 Roughriders.

Jonathan Williams, also an Augusta-born defensive lineman, appeared in one game during the 2016 campaign.

Brandon Lynch, a linebacker, dressed for six games in 2007 and nine in 2008. He was also on the practice roster for the latter portion of the 2009 season.

The Roughriders’ first Augustan? Tony Belser, receiver, who attended training camp in 1990 and 1991. He was on the practice roster throughout the 1990 regular season.

As for golfing terminology …

• Tee Thompson — whose father, Gerry, was a Roughriders assistant coach in 1977 — was a star running back and kicker that year for the Regina Intercollegiate Football League’s Campbell Tartans.

• Greens? We’ve had seven of them: Pete (1910), John (1953), Ron (1961), Larry (1999), Stephfon (2012-13), Marshay (2014-15), and T.J. (2022).

• Greenes? Five — Nellie (1950-53), Marcellus (1982), Nealon (2002-05), Sammy (1984). Andrew (1997, 1999-2006) and Rashad (2021).

• Tiger, you ask? Floyd Tiger, a receiver, was briefly under contract to the Roughriders in 2003.

• Woods, you wonder? Five — Glen (1972), Scott (1973), Harold (1978), Robert (1981) and Josh (2026).

• Wood count: Five — Arvard, (1920-27, 1930, 1936), Alf (1929-30), Ivan (1934), Earl (1970) and Greg (1976).

• Ball: Dwaine (1980), Reggie (negotiating rights traded to Hamilton 20 years ago on Sunday) and Reggis (2017).

• More golf-friendly names: Gordon Duff (1927-29), Webb Bird (1929), Ace Parker (1947-48), Ace Grooms (1956), Jim Hook (1956), Lee Grosscup (1963), Eagle Keys (1964-70), Larry Bird (1971-78), Tim Hook (1979-80), Chip Stuart (1983), John Grass (1984), John Lipp (team president, 1993-96), Rob Bagg (2008-17), Stevie Baggs (2008-09), Robert Sands (2016), and Marcus Major Jr. (2025).

• From the “so close!” department: Bill Milligan (1952); Rolan Milligan Jr. (2022-present).

• Dream name, for no particular reason: Mulligan, Stew.

• Rough? Too easy … a gimme, in fact!

• “Fairway” was the nickname of former Roughriders receiver Jeff Fairholm, who wore a golf-centric number: 18.

• Jim Hopson’s autobiography, co-written by Darrell Davis, was published by DriverWorks Ink.

• The Regina Roughriders’ 1935 roster included a player named Shank. First name: Still a mystery. (Can anyone help me with that one, please?!)

• Cup? We just won one.

• Titleist? 2025 Roughriders.

• Lie: I am an excellent golfer.

A “HOLE” DAY OF GOLFING

Fred Goodman, a Roughrider from 1929 to 1933, set a golf record shortly before beginning his final season in the Saskatchewan Rugby Football Union.

On Sept. 6, 1933, Goodman established a “Regina marathon golf record” (as described by the Leader-Post) by playing 115 holes in one day.

Goodman and Reg Reader teed off at the Boggy Creek golf course at 6 a.m. Their round(s) concluded at 8:02 p.m.

The previous record, according to the L-P, was 84 holes in one day.

Goodman’s nephew, Ted Urness, was a Roughriders offensive lineman from 1961 to 1970. He entered the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

One more Goodman note: He threw the first home-field touchdown pass in Roughriders history, connecting with Angie Mitchell for a 33-yard score — it was called a “try” back then — against the Saskatoon Quakers on Oct. 24, 1931.

I saw it live.

ROLL CREDITS …

• Nice people who deserve a plug: Wayne Kuntz, Marge Ekstran, Iver Light, Elsie Light, Diane Lind, Doug Rogers, Wayne Morsky, Mike Woytowich, Kerry Joseph, Roy Robinson, Roger Brandvold, Ken Schneider, Mark Urness, Destiny Desjardins, and Kiran Kaur.