Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive halfback DaMarcus Fields plays on the field side, appropriately enough.
His coverage skills, along with his name, make him a natural.
“Flowers,” Head Coach Corey Mace said while delivering a bouquet, in the form of a compliment, to the first-year CFLer.
“As a rookie coming into a new league and being thrust into a starting role right out of training camp, there’s a lot to digest — specifically at that position.
“In our defence, he has been awesome. He’s starting to command himself back there. He holds the standard for everybody else around him, as well as for himself. He’s excellent at tackling. He’s excellent at block destruction.
“Truthfully, he probably should have another couple of turnovers. He keeps bugging me about challenging some of these things.
“But he has been excellent, and another great, great human — another guy we’re happy to have.”
Playoffs included, Fields has started 18 games in the secondary. He also made one start at strong-side linebacker — essentially a coverage position — when 2024 All-CFL divisional selection C.J. Reavis was sidelined by an injury.
“I’m just here working every day,” Fields said. “I love it here and we’re trying to win the whole thing.”
During the regular season, Fields registered 49 defensive tackles, one interception and one sack. He also helped Saskatchewan defeat the visiting B.C. Lions 28-19 in the Western Semi-Final.
Next stop: Winnipeg, where the Blue Bombers are to play host to the Roughriders in Saturday’s Western Final (5:30 p.m., TSN, CKRM).
Fields will receive extra TV time. He will be mic’d up for the division final.
“Hopefully I can give the CFL some good entertainment,” the former Texas Tech Red Raiders standout said. “I want to make sure I get all my guys in there, too, and give people the details of what the game is like.”
An interception or two wouldn’t hurt, either.
“I need some picks,” Fields said with a chuckle. “I keep getting called back or something keeps happening.
“Hopefully it comes my way, but I’m happy to just be winning. I just want to keep moving forward.”
TURNOVER TALLY
The Roughriders, who led the CFL in turnover differential (plus-26) during the regular season, fattened that figure to 28 during the Western Semi-Final.
Saskatchewan registered three interceptions against B.C., which recorded its takeaway by stopping the Roughriders on a third-and-one gamble.
Turnovers have been an important part of the Roughriders’ turnaround this season, but there is another element to the equation.
It is also important to keep the football for an extended period after gaining possession.
“In a perfect world, you get the turnover and you score right there,” said Mace, alluding to the three defensive touchdowns Saskatchewan has scored this year. “If we can’t, we give the ball back to our offence, which we truly trust to go and create something out of that.”
The offence proved to be trustworthy against B.C., dominating the time of possession (34:48) and converting 16 of 24 second-down opportunities.
The 66.7-per-cent conversion rate tied the Roughriders’ previous season best. Saskatchewan went 18-for-27 against the visiting Blue Bombers on Sept. 1.
As far as time of possession, the Roughriders’ most-recent showing was their second-best of the season. Saskatchewan hoarded the football for 37:39 against the Ottawa REDBLACKS on Sept. 28 at Mosaic Stadium.
SANDERS’ SPLENDID SACK
Mace continues to sing the praises of defensive lineman Caleb Sanders, who sacked Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. in the Western Semi-Final.
“He’s blue collar,” Mace said of Sanders. “He’s going to work his tail off. You can give him one snap and it’s going to be awesome. You can give him 40 and dang near 40 of them are going to be just as awesome.
“He’s hard to block. He’s quick as a cat. He chased down Vernon for a sack. There aren’t too many people doing that, especially from the D-tackle position.
“I think he thrives in weather like this. There’s not too many situations you put him in where he’s not going to be able to make the play and do his job.
“You love guys who can just focus in and lock in on doing their job. He’s one of those.”
Sanders attributed his sack of Adams Jr. to sheer desire.
“That speaks to him, but you’ve got to give credit to his speed a little bit,” Mace noted. “He was moving.
“That’s Caleb. It’s his will. It’s his mindset. That’s something we’re trying to get in the whole building.”
