Saskatchewan Roughriders middle linebacker Larry Dean, for whom team-related goals are paramount, is not big on individual statistics.
Some numbers are nonetheless noteworthy.
Dean is poised to reach 100 defensive tackles for the second successive season — and for the third time as a CFLer.
Asked about the significance and seeming inevitability of reaching triple digits once again, Dean replied: “It would be better with a W.”
Period.
Point made.
In terms of tackles made, Dean will soon register the 10th 100-plus season in franchise history.
He made 101 tackles last season, when teammate Darnell Sankey led the league with 120 en route to establishing a Roughriders single-season record.
Dave Albright had set the previous mark of 118 in 1987 — the same year the CFL introduced defensive tackles as an official statistic.
For the moment, George White is the only player with multiple 100-tackle seasons to his credit as a Roughrider. He had 105 tackles in 2000 and 104 the following year.
Saskatchewan’s 100 club also includes Willie Pless (who had 102 tackles in 1999), Barrin Simpson (105 in 2010), Jerrell Freeman (105 in 2011) and Jeff Knox Jr. (114 in 2015).
Dean’s first 100-plus season was in 2018, when he amassed 105 stops for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
With 563 career tackles, he is one shy of tying T.J. Hill for 24th on the CFL’s All-Time list.
A strong finish to the regular season could also enable Dean to tie or eclipse 23rd-ranked Jovon Johnson (581).
The Roughriders are to play the host Calgary Stampeders on Friday (7:30 p.m., TSN, CKRM) before facing the Toronto Argonauts on Oct. 21 (2 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
SHAWN’S STATS
Shawn Bane Jr. needs only two receptions to register the 21st season of 80-plus catches in Roughriders history.
With two regular-season games remaining, Bane Jr. is already in a four-way tie for the 23rd-best total in franchise history.
The 78-plus club is as follows:
123 — Don Narcisse, 1995
102 — Joey Walters, 1982
102 — Craig Ellis, 1985
102 — Curtis Marsh, 2000
95 — Don Narcisse, 1998
94 — Ray Elgaard, 1990
94 — Weston Dressler, 2012
91 — Joey Walters, 1981
91 — Craig Ellis, 1984
91 — Ray Elgaard, 1992
89 — Ray Elgaard, 1993
88 — Elijah Thurmon, 2005
87 — Andy Fantuz, 2010
86 — Don Narcisse, 1990
84 — Lucius Floyd, 1991
84 — Bakari Grant, 2017
83 — Don Narcisse, 1993
81 — Don Narcisse, 1989
81 — Weston Dressler, 2010
80 — Don Narcisse, 1992
79 — Ray Elgaard, 1985
79 — Weston Dressler, 2011
78 — Chris DeFrance, 1982
78 — Kyran Moore, 2019
78 — Taj Smith, 2013
78 — Shawn Bane Jr., 2023
SAM’S STATS
Saskatchewan’s Samuel Emilus is on pace for 1,015 receiving yards.
If he hits four digits, the second-year Roughrider will reach that milestone faster than any Canadian receiver in franchise history.
Elgaard generated his first of eight 1,000-yard seasons in 1985, as a third-year CFLer.
Elgaard, Fairholm (three times), Chris Getzlaf (twice) and Fantuz (once) are the only Canadians to hit 1,000 receiving yards as a Roughrider.
Emilus was the Roughriders’ first-round selection (seventh overall) in the 2022 CFL Draft.
He has 59 catches for 903 yards and five TDs with two games remaining this season.
NUMERICAL NUGGETS
- With 78 receptions, Bane Jr. is second in the league — four behind Calgary’s Reggie Begelton.
- Adam Korsak has a chance to become only the second Roughrider to average 48 or more yards per punt in a season. Korsak is at an even 48.0 with two games remaining. Jon Ryan set the franchise record of 48.8 in 2019.
- Korsak’s 90-yard punt, against the host Stampeders on June 24, is the longest in the CFL this season.
- Saskatchewan’s Brett Lauther and the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ Lewis Ward are tied for the longest field goal in the league this season (54 yards). Lauther has hit a three-pointer of at least 54 yards in each of his five seasons with the Roughriders.
- Roughriders teammates Kosi Onyeka and A.J. Allen are tied with two other players for fourth in the CFL in special teams tackles, with 17.
