After a one-game departure from tradition, Malik Carney will again occupy the same field as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Carney was a Tiger-Cat for his first three CFL seasons, encompassing 41 games, before signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a free agent on Feb. 13.
The 28-year-old defensive end made his debut with the Roughriders on Saturday, when they defeated the host Edmonton Elks 29-21.
Next on the agenda: Back-to-back games against — you guessed it — Hamilton!
“It’s going to be exciting, with a lot of emotion,” Carney says leading up to Sunday’s game at Tim Hortons Field (5 p.m., TSN, CKRM).
“I’m ready for them. I know they’re going to bring their best, but we’re going to bring our beast.
“It’s going to be a very physical battle — an intense game.”
Carney played in seven games with Hamilton during the COVID-shortened 2021 season before dressing for 17 contests in back-to-back years.
Statistically, his most impressive game to date was a three-sack eruption against the visiting Roughriders on Oct. 7, 2022. The hat trick was part of a seven-sack sophomore season in the CFL.
He followed up in 2023 with five more sacks, including a pair of games in which he twice toppled the opposing quarterback.
Now he is looking to add to the sack total in Saskatchewan.
“The guys have welcomed me with open arms,” Carney says. “We’re still building team chemistry, but it has been great, man.
“I love the fans, the facilities, the stadium, the organization … everybody. It’s a great team.”
Mace’s early reviews of Carney are equally effusive.
“He’s a freak,” the Roughriders’ chief strategist says. “He can do anything we ask him to do. We’re really happy that we added him. I don’t know if it’s specific that he’s happy just because of who we’re playing this week. I know how he’s attacking it.
“He’s expecting a big year for himself. I think the rest of us here can see that the potential is there to do that and he’s going to put in the work to attain it, so I’m excited for him and happy as ever that he’s a Roughrider.”
LAUTHER LEADS THE WAY
Brett Lauther, who is accustomed to kicking for three points or one point, has a tendency to figure prominently in the generation of two points — in the standings, that is.
He has registered a go-ahead or game-tying kick in six of the Roughriders’ past seven victories.
Most recently, he kicked a 33-yard convert at 6:50 of Saturday’s fourth quarter to give Saskatchewan a 22-21 lead. He also converted the game’s final major.
Last year, Lauther played a key role in five of the Roughriders’ six victories. To recap …
June 11: Lauther’s 11-yard field goal at 11:37 of the third quarter gave Saskatchewan a 14-13 lead in Edmonton. His 46-yarder at 3:23 of the fourth frame concluded the scoring as the Roughriders won 17-13.
June 24: His 20-yard field goal in the second overtime period gave the Roughriders a 29-26 lead over the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium. The ensuing possession, by Calgary, concluded when Nic Marshall registered a victory-clinching interception.
July 6: A 95-yard Lauther single on a kickoff snapped an 11-11 tie with 1:03 left in the fourth quarter against Edmonton at Mosaic Stadium. Saskatchewan held on for a 12-11 victory.
Aug. 6: With 26 seconds remaining, Lauther kicked a game-winning, 54-yard field goal against the visiting Ottawa REDBLACKS, who lost a 26-24 nailbiter.
Sept. 3: Lauther forced overtime with an 18-yard field goal at 14:29 of the fourth quarter at Mosaic Stadium. Saskatchewan ended up posting a 32-24 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
AERIAL FOOTBALL
The Roughriders are flying eastward a few hours earlier than usual in preparation for Sunday’s game.
“We’re going to take off first thing in the morning (on Saturday) and get out there as many hours in advance as we can to get acclimated to the time,” says Mace, referencing the two-hour time difference between Regina and Hamilton.
“Anytime you go on a road trip, it’s tough to go into somebody’s building, but as we develop our own routines and what that looks like for us, we’ll be comfortable in that.
“It’ll allow us to still get our film work and all our studies accomplished before we hit the road. Everything comes down to preparation and execution and that really doesn’t change.”
INJURY UPDATE
Eight of the nine players whose names appeared on Friday’s injury update are available for duty in Hamilton.
The list of eligible players includes linebacker Jameer Thurman (chest), offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick (ankle), defensive back Amari Henderson (Achilles), fullback Bruno LaBelle (leg) and defensive end Nicholas Dheilly (illness), all of whom have recovered.
Three players who were healthy scratches in Week 1 — defensive back Marcus Sayles, defensive lineman Miles Brown and receiver Ajou Ajou — are also listed as available.
All the aforementioned players were full participants in Friday’s practice. Defensive back Rodney Clemons, who did not practise due to an Achilles injury, is listed as out for Sunday.
