ROBSERVATIONS: Roughriders’ top fantasy football figures … remembering dear friends … an admittedly awful “latte” joke … and Happy New Year!
The love in my wife’s voice was unmistakable when, upon noticing her undeserving husband’s descent into yet another statistical rabbit hole, she cooed: “You are a nerd.”
For better or worse, right?
At least she has the dog.
My dogged research was prompted by this week’s culmination of the NFL fantasy football season.
With that in mind, I wondered: What are the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ finest fantasy football performances?
Just like that, I was hopelessly buried in statistical summaries that date back to 1950 — long before fantasy football was a concept, let alone an obsession.
For the uninitiated, points are awarded to players (and the individuals who draft them) when certain benchmarks are reached in a game.
There are several scoring systems. For this exercise, we lean on the fantasy football format outlined on cfl.ca.
Quarterbacks: One point per 25 passing yards. Four points per touchdown pass. Two points deducted for each interception.
Running backs: 0.1 points per rushing yard. Six points per touchdown.
Receivers: 0.1 points per receiving yard. One point per catch. Six points per touchdown.
Enough preamble. The top fantasy score in Roughriders history belongs to … (cue trumpets) … Curtis Marsh!
On July 28, 2001, March caught 13 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns against the visiting Toronto Argonauts. The calculation: 13 (one point per reception) + 21.5 (215 receiving yards x 0.1) + 18 (3 x 6) = 52.5.
The only other Roughrider to hit the 50 mark is Darian Durant, who fashioned a 50.2 after a 54-51 overtime victory over the visiting Montreal Alouettes on July 1, 2010.
Durant threw for 481 yards (thereby receiving 19 points) and five TDs (20). He also rushed five times for 52 yards (5.2) and one TD (6).
In a thinly veiled attempt to justify the hours upon hours of research that went into this project, we nerdily offer you this list of the Roughriders’ top 20 fantasy football performances:
52.5 — Curtis Marsh vs. Toronto, July 28, 2001. Marsh’s best statistical game followed a 2000 season in which he caught 102 passes for 1,560 yards and 10 TDs.
50.2 — Darian Durant vs. Montreal, July 1, 2010. Five TD passes and 481 aerial yards.
49.6 — Weston Dressler at Hamilton, June 29, 2012. Thirteen catches for 180 yards and three TDs.
49.0 — Andy Fantuz at Hamilton, Oct. 14, 2007. Seven catches for 240 yards and three TDs.
48.5 — Kent Austin vs. Calgary, Oct. 23, 1993. First quarterback in CFL history to run and throw for three TDs in one game.
48.4 — Hugh Campbell vs. Montreal, Sept. 5, 1966. Eleven catches (on 11 targets) for 194 yards and three TDs.
47.6 — Ferd Burket at Winnipeg, Oct. 26, 1959. Five touchdowns (franchise record); 30 carries for 124 yards.
47.0 — Chris DeFrance at Edmonton, Aug. 5, 1983. Nine catches for 260 yards (franchise record) and two TDs. Most memorably, he scored on an 88-yarder despite losing his helmet in a midfield collision.
46.3 — Bob Renn vs. Calgary, Sept. 26, 1960. Close friend and college football teammate of Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds caught eight passes for 203 yards and three TDs.
45.8 — Pete Van Valkenburg at Calgary, Aug. 20, 1976. One of his three TDs was on a 90-yard run.
45.6 — Craig Ellis at Edmonton, Aug. 23, 1985. Eleven catches for 116 yards.
45.1 — Bobby Thompson vs. Edmonton, Aug. 16, 1972. Seven catches for 213 yards (then a franchise record) and two TDs.
45.0 — Bobby Thompson vs. B.C., Oct. 24, 1971. Scored on two receptions (97 and 14 yards) and a franchise-record 115-yard kickoff return.
45.0 — Ray Elgaard at Hamilton, Aug. 6, 1993. Twelve catches for 210 yards and two TDs.
44.9 — Ed Buchanan at Edmonton, Aug. 28, 1964. Nineteen carries for 198 yards; three receptions for 101.
44.6 — Ray Elgaard at B.C., Sept. 16, 1988. Nine catches for 176 yards and three TDs, the latter of which was the game-winner.
44.3 — Ken Carpenter vs. Winnipeg, Nov. 3, 1956 (playoffs). Six catches for 157 yards and two TDs.
44.1 — Ray Purdin at Calgary, Oct. 27, 1962. Two receptions (both for a TD) for 132 yards; eight carries for 109 yards.
43.9 — Joey Walters vs. Edmonton, Oct. 18, 1981. Nine catches for 169 yards and three TDs.
42.8 — George Reed vs. Edmonton, Oct. 30, 1968. Rushed 27 times for 140 yards and four TDs.
42.7 — Reggie Slack at Winnipeg, Sept. 13, 1998. Three TD passes and two TD runs.
A couple of quick notes …
• Austin produced 38 fantasy points on Sept. 21, 1991, when he threw a team-record six TD passes to help the Roughriders defeat the host B.C. Lions 49-47.
• Also in Vancouver, Reed piled up 32.2 fantasy points while rushing for a team-record 268 yards on Oct. 24, 1965. He earned 26.8 points for the yardage and six for a TD.
We conclude with the Roughriders’ top 10 fantasy figures from 2024:
35.5 — Shawn Bane Jr. at Edmonton, June 8. Tied Roughriders’ record for TD catches in a game (three).
34.7 — Trevor Harris vs. Winnipeg, Sept. 1. Passed for 368 yards and one TD; ran for a TD.
29.9 — Kian Schaffer-Baker at Hamilton, June 16. Seven catches for 109 yards and two TDs.
28.2 — Kian Schaffer-Baker at Winnipeg, Nov. 9 (playoffs). Twelve catches (Roughriders post-season record) for 162 yards.
27.0 — Shea Patterson vs. Edmonton, Aug. 3. Passed for 306 yards and two TDs; ran for 30 yards and one TD.
24.1 — Samuel Emilus at B.C., July 13. Eight catches for 161 yards, including gains of 51 and 50.
23.0 — Trevor Harris at Hamilton, June 16. Passed for 390 yards and two TDs.
23.0 — Shawn Bane Jr. at Ottawa, Aug. 8. Eight catches for 90 yards and one TD.
22.7 — Trevor Harris at Calgary, Sept. 20. Sixteen completions in 18 attempts for 248 yards and one TD; three carries for 17 yards and one TD.
22.6 — Samuel Emilus at Edmonton, Oct. 5. Four catches for 126 yards, including an 88-yard TD.
Also worth noting: In terms of actual points on the scoreboard, Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther boasted a pair of 21s — on Sept. 28 (seven field goals versus Ottawa) and Oct. 12 (six field goals and three converts versus B.C.).
IN MEMORIAM
We lost some dear friends in 2024. Nearing year’s end, we remember and honour the following members of our Roughriders family:
Bobby Mulgado (running back, 1958-59): April 4, 1936-Jan. 4, 2024.
Kelly Malveaux (defensive back, 1999): May 11, 1976-Jan. 24, 2024.
Doug Currie (running back, training camp 1982): Oct. 11, 1960-Feb. 8, 2024.
Moe Levesque (lineman, 1966): July 12, 1937-Feb. 11, 2024.
Gerry James (running back and kicker, 1964): Oct. 22, 1934-Feb. 13, 2024.
Eric Guthrie (quarterback, 1977): April 27, 1947-Feb. 17, 2024.
Nat Dye (offensive lineman, 1964-65): June 10, 1937-March 19, 2024.
Mike Blanton (defensive lineman, 1980): Feb. 19, 1957-March 24, 2024.
Jim Hopson (offensive lineman, 1973-76; President-CEO, 2005-15): March 1, 1951-April 2, 2024.
Jack Nix (receiver, 1951): May 7, 1928-April 11, 2024.
Lyle Bauer (offensive lineman, training camp 1979-80): Aug. 22, 1958-April 26, 2024.
John Harvey (running back, training camp 1972): Jan. 26, 1950-May 30, 2024.
Mike Royale (defensive back, training camp 1977): Jan. 14, 1951-July 16, 2024.
Ron Preston (running back, training camp 1972): April 9, 1948-Aug. 9, 2024.
Dan Dorazio (offensive line coach, 2015): Jan. 22, 1952-Aug. 13, 2024.
Ken Miller (offensive co-ordinator, 2007; head coach, 2008-11; vice-president of football operations, 2010-11): Oct. 15, 1941-Aug. 21, 2024.
Sean Quinlan (director of marketing, 1979-82): Dec. 27, 1947-Sept. 5, 2024.
Ben Fairbrother (offensive lineman, 1997-2000): June 23, 1973-Sept. 13, 2024.
Len Biden (end, training camp 1956): Oct. 13, 1934-Dec. 4, 2024.
Barry Aldag (offensive lineman, 1968-71), Nov. 8, 1945-Dec. 24, 2024.
Wally Dempsey (linebacker, 1965-69, 1971-72), Jan. 19, 1944-Dec. 3, 2024.
COFFEE TALK
As is always the case after any development involving a quarterback, a Dec. 23 deal that landed the Roughriders the negotiating rights to Jake Maier has generated plenty of discussion.
Just yesterday, in fact, someone approached me at a south Regina coffee emporium and inquired: “What do you think of the Jake Maier trade?”
The negotiating rights to Maier were acquired from the Calgary Stampeders for an eighth-round pick in the 2025 CFL Draft.
The compensation will be elevated to a seventh-rounder if Maier signs with Saskatchewan before next season. He is eligible to test free agency on Feb. 11.
So here’s what I think: A late-round draft pick (or a latte-round draft pick, in coffee-shop parlance) is an irresistibly modest price to pay for someone who threw 22 TD passes — third in the league — in 2024.
Maier was one of only four QBs to hit 20 last season. Harris briskly threw for 20 TDs in 11 starts.
On Oct. 26 at Mosaic Stadium, Maier threw his 20th, 21st and 22nd TD passes of the season. His QB efficiency rating: 148.4. (He has been above 100 in all three of his starts in Saskatchewan.)
Maier finished the 2024 campaign with 3,841 passing yards — fourth-best in the CFL.
Factor in Harris (3,264) and the Roughriders now own the rights to two of the league’s top six passing-yardage producers in 2024.
Consider, too, that Maier does not turn 28 until April 9. He already has 45 CFL starts to his name. And, while in Calgary, he worked closely with Marc Mueller — a former Stampeders assistant coach who is preparing for his second season as the Roughriders’ offensive co-ordinator.
FAREWELL TO 2024
Please forgive the self-indulgence — see again: fantasy football — but I would like to take a few moments to thank everyone who helped me endure what was, at times, a trying 2024.
We nearly lost our dog to a rare fungal infection (blastomycosis) on St. Patrick’s Day.
A veterinarian, Dr. Aadish Balouria, saved Candy’s life. We had a wonderful holiday season with her and look forward to many more years of Christmas cuddles.
Thank you to everyone in the Roughriders organization who tolerated me on days when I could barely function.
In light of Candy’s precarious condition at the time, I felt it was best not to be away from her during training camp. So, for nearly three weeks in the spring, Candy stayed in a downtown Saskatoon hotel along with Chryssoula and yours truly.
When Candy visited Griffiths Stadium for a Roughriders practice, she received a doggy gift bag, along with a card signed by President-CEO Craig Reynolds.
Shea Patterson, who met Candy shortly after we arrived in Saskatoon, inquired throughout the 2024 season: “How is your dog doing?”
Trevor Harris prayed for her.
Corey and Petra Mace offered their best wishes and encouragement.
Arielle Zerr, Director of Communications, put up with me on days when I was barely functioning. She is a remarkable colleague and, best of all, friend.
One day, I completely fell to pieces in the office of Craig’s executive assistant, Jessica Gelowsky. Jess, you are a gem.
I have the honour of working with the greatest people and for the best organization. That has been THE highlight of 2024, along with once again having the privilege to write about sports and the people involved for another year.
But that would be without purpose if not for readers who kindly give of their time — our most precious commodity — and demonstrate their passion for games people play.
Thanks to you, and to everyone, as we look ahead to a Happy New Year and, ideally, the appearance of “2025” on a predominantly green championship banner.
ROLL CREDITS …
• A scroll of nice people who deserve a plug: Roger Aldag, Joanne Aldag, Shonda Stevenson, Chryssoula Filippakopoulos, Dr. Aadish Balouria, Dave Pettigrew, Barry Clarke, Marc Mueller, Jenaya Mueller, Sawyer Mueller, Wallace Mueller, Lana Mueller, Larry Mueller, Bev Lancaster, Arielle Zerr, Eva Fletcher, Dallas Skulski, Shiane de Jong, Jessica Gelowsky, Craig Reynolds, Anthony Partipilo, Jacqueline Hurlbert, Josh MacNeil, Kent Paul, Emma Brezinski, Eva Rennie, Sebastian Soltes, Sandra Berkan, Chloe Le, Cindy Fuchs, Rebecca Perigny, Josh Shaw, Rob Harrison, Logan Lindskog, Karina Peterson, Blake Tiedeman, Morgan Fleury, Angela Bailey, Julia Vaughan, Tyler Daku, Ally Chmielnicki, John Phillips, Caleb Blundell, Marnie Forsberg, Megan Herber, Nick Mazurak, Kevin Flood, Kevin Clive, Mark Habicht, Russell Hardman, Channing Masuhara, Nicole Bissonnette, Nathaniel Cruz, Kelsey Smith, Tia MacNeil, Allyson MacDonald, Gracie Baynton, Matthew O’Krafka, Rebecca Mills, Mitchell Saretsky, Cindy Schneider, Chris Colbow, Carol Csenar, Jon Halvorson, Ashley Robinson, Brenda Edwards, Justine Drozda, Sam Berg, Shadia Ismail, Thomas Judek, Pete Paczko, Sean Kleisinger, Kelly Peterson, Laura Steadman, Derek Steadman, Abby Steadman, Erica Steadman, Aidan Stewart and Doug Rogers.
