Words by Daniella Ponticelli
Nick Marshall has wasted no time making his mark in Saskatchewan Roughrider history.
During Saturday’s thrilling 41-20 win over the Montreal Alouettes, the veteran cornerback got the home crowd to its feet with an interception and 90-yard return for a touchdown.
“It was just me being patient because I got about two or three balls thrown at me the whole game,” Marshall said after practice Wednesday.
“I feel like they were trying to lull me to sleep, but I just basically stayed inside the game and they were able to throw me one at the end of the game.”
It wasn’t until after the final whistle that Marshall realized he made history.
With his fifth pick-6 in four seasons, the 30-year-old now holds the Roughrider all-time record for interception-return touchdowns.
“I forgot about it, so it was nice to know I got a record and I’m just going to try to keep moving forward with that,” Marshall said after practice Wednesday.
The 30-year-old remembers hearing last season that he was tied for the club record shared by former Riders Ken McEachern and Jackie Mitchell.
Both notched four interception-return touchdowns during their time in green and white.
McEachern did it within 132 regular-season games from 1974-82, while Mitchell tied the record in 96 regular-season appearances with Saskatchewan from 2000-06.
Marshall made his historic fifth pick-6 in 48 games as a Rider. His rate of returns for touchdowns is now first all-time in CFL history (among players with 10+ games) at 38.5% of his total interceptions and he ranks first all-time with a pick-6 every 9.6 games in his CFL career.
“It goes to show his athleticism. A former quarterback able to switch over and play defensive back and not only just play it, but play it at a high level,” said Riders defensive coordinator Jason Shivers.
“I love that I can talk to him in-game, switch up his techniques, and he has no complaints. He goes out there and executes.”
Signing with the club in April 2018, the former Auburn quarterback stood out in the preseason and was named starting cornerback.
Marshall recorded his first pick-6 for Saskatchewan in his regular-season debut on June 15, 2018. He intercepted a pass from Toronto Argonaut quarterback Ricky Ray for a 66-yard return touchdown in the fourth quarter, helping the Riders to a 27-19 win.
Saskatchewan fans would have to wait until Week 10, after Marshall healed from a broken finger in Week 1, to witness his second pick-6.
On Aug.19, 2018, Marshall intercepted a first-quarter pass by Calgary Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell for a 67-yard return touchdown at Mosaic Stadium. The Riders won that game 40-27, finishing second in the west that season.
The following year, under head coach Dickenson and defensive coordinator Shivers, Marshall recorded 39 tackles and five interceptions, one of which was returned 62 yards for a first-quarter touchdown in Calgary on Oct. 11, 2019. The Riders fell short to the Stampeders 30-28, but ultimately finished first in the west.
Marshall’s fourth and record-tying pick-6 came in Week 1 of a delayed and shortened season on Aug. 6, 2021.
In front of a home crowd once again, the cornerback intercepted a pass from then-backup B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke for a 27-yard return touchdown in the second quarter, helping the Riders to a 33-29 win.
As for pick-6 number six? Rider Nation will just have to watch and wait.
“I’m not going to change anything I do. When the plays come my way, I make it for my team,” said Marshall.
The Riders (3-1) host the Ottawa Redblacks (0-3) on Friday. Kickoff is 7:30 at Mosaic Stadium.
