ROBSERVATIONS: Steve Sarkisian’s Saskatchewan story … (shaky) New Year’s resolutions … and a nice gesture by Trevor Harris
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who caught Steve Sarkisian’s final CFL touchdown pass?
CLUE (if needed): The recipient of Sarkisian’s seven-yard scoring strike also had the distinction of catching a TD pass from Doug Flutie.
ANOTHER CLUE (if needed): The player in question, a six-time divisional All-CFL selection, wasn’t conventionally a pass-catcher. But when called upon, he was a sure thing.
The answer: Jeremy O’Day!
On Nov. 5, 1999, O’Day — a Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive lineman from 1999 to 2010 — lined up as an eligible receiver and collaborated with Sarkisian for six points against the host B.C. Lions.
Sarkisian and O’Day were both rookies in 1997, albeit on different teams. Whereas Sarkisian spent all three of his CFL seasons with Saskatchewan, O’Day played for the Toronto Argonauts in 1997 and 1998 before signing as a free agent with the Green and White.
As a newcomer to the CFL, O’Day celebrated a Grey Cup victory and a touchdown. The introductory major was the result of a five-yard pass from Flutie during a 66-25 road victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sept. 7, 1997.
Fast forward to 2025. On Jan. 18, O’Day will celebrate his sixth anniversary as the Roughriders’ vice-president of football operations and general manager. Sarkisian is the head coach of the University of Texas Longhorns, who are to meet the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday in a College Football Playoff semi-final.
The game is being played in the Cotton Bowl, where Sarkisian threw his last of 55 touchdown passes — to K.O. Kealaluhi, for the record — for the Brigham Young University Cougars.
BYU’s 19-15 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats in the Cotton Bowl Classic on Jan. 1, 1997 capped a sensational season in which Sarkisian threw for 4,027 yards and 33 TDs in 14 games en route to leading the NCAA in passing efficiency (173.6).
The following May, word seeped out that Sarkisian was close to joining the Roughriders. After tracking down his phone number, I left a message. He soon called back and, just like that, a column materialized for the May 13, 1997 edition of the Regina Leader-Post.
“It’s a done deal,” Sarkisian said from Torrance, Calif. “I’m very excited about it. It’s going to be a great opportunity for me.”
As a newcomer to the CFL, Sarkisian dressed for only three games as Reggie Slack and Kevin Mason handled most of the quarterbacking. The 1997 Roughriders advanced to the 85th Grey Cup Game, won by O’Day, Flutie and the Argonauts.
Touted as the Roughriders’ quarterback of the future, Sarkisian signed a new, three-year contract on April 8, 1998. He dressed for all 18 games in each of the next two seasons.
He was busiest in 1999, when he threw for 2,290 yards — with 16 TDs and 21 interceptions — while completing 175 of 290 passes.
Sarkisian threw 52 per cent of the Roughriders’ passes in 1999. Extrapolating his totals over a full season, you have 4,359 yards, 30 TDs and, yes, 40 interceptions.
Even when the latter stat is taken into account, remember that Sarkisian was behind centre for a three-win team. All things considered, his performance was commendable.
The Roughriders’ next starting quarterback, Henry Burris, hit 30 TD passes — on the nose — in 2000. The high-profile free-agent signing of Burris contributed to Sarkisian’s decision to retire as a player, at the tender age of 26.
“First and foremost, I have some opportunities that I’d like to take advantage of here,” Sarkisian said from Los Angeles in a May 23, 2000 L-P interview.
“Secondly, if I’m going to continue to move up there, I want to be a starting quarterback. It’s pretty obvious that Henry is going to be the guy up there next year and for the years to come. It would be a difficult situation for me to just continue to assume that backup role.
“Thirdly, mentally and physically, last season was very difficult. It was kind of tough to deal with this off-season. It just felt like the timing was right for me to hang ’em up.
“I had a fun career and a tremendous time playing football. I just felt the timing was right to move on.”
Sarkisian also mentioned post-playing plans that included coaching. Good idea.
In 2000, he was the quarterbacks coach at Torrance-based El Camino College, where he had starred as a player in 1994 and 1995 before heading to BYU.
Sarkisian then served as the USC Trojans’ quarterbacks coach from 2001 to 2003. After coaching the Oakland Raiders’ QBs in 2004, he returned to USC and was on its coaching staff from 2005 to 2008.
Head-coaching roles followed with the University of Washington Huskies (2009 to 2013) and USC (2014 and 2015).
An assistant coach on offence with the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in 2016, 2019 and 2020, Sarkisian was also the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive co-ordinator in 2017 and 2018. He assumed his current role with Texas on Jan. 2, 2021.
O’Day, like Sarkisian, has a connection to the Crimson Tide.
The University Alabama’s diving team includes Regina-born Brooklyn O’Day, who continues to make her parents (Jeremy and Dana) very proud.
Addendum: Curtis Mayfield and Mike Saunders each caught five TD passes from Sarkisian during his time with the Roughriders. Reggie Jones was next in line with three, one more than Eric Guliford. O’Day, Dexter Dawson, Dan Farthing, Don Narcisse and Ousmane Tounkara each caught one TD pass from Sarkisian.
NEW YEAR’S (GULP) RESOLUTIONS
There was a time when my New Year’s resolution was “no more New Year’s resolutions!” They would inevitably fall flat, so why bother?
But here we are in 2025, with a motivated mindset and an unshakable resolve to prevent all dietary detours. (Pass the gravy.)
Without further preamble, here is a list of 10 things I would like to see or do in the year ahead:
#1: Document a Roughriders Grey Cup victory
The 112th Grey Cup Game is set for Nov. 16 at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg. The CFL’s next championship clash is to be played on the 50th anniversary of George Reed’s final game as a Roughrider. A good omen, I say!
After appearing in three of the past five Western Finals, the next step for the Roughriders is to advance to and win the Grey Cup Game.
It would be additionally rewarding to interview a Cup-winning quarterback named Trevor Harris — a class act who richly deserves a CFL championship as a starter.
#2: Ride my bike to work during the spring/summer/fall
In May of 2023, I purchased a state-of-the-art backpack with the ambition of riding my bicycle to and from Mosaic Stadium on a regular basis.
I regret to inform you that the price tag is still affixed to the backpack, which has gathered dust in my bedroom for more than a year and a half. This must change!
(Maybe I’ll put the backpack in the basement.)
#3: Work on a major project with Blake Tiedeman
Blake, the Roughriders’ digital media producer, is a genius. Many of the videos that appear on Riderville.com are the result of his inspiration and expertise.
There is just one regret: Upon joining the Roughriders on Feb. 21, 2023, I resolved to work on a major, major, major video project in collaboration with Blake, who was among the first people to welcome me to the organization.
It is entirely my fault that this box has yet to be checked, but I have grand plans that will soon be made clear during a strategy session with Director of Communications Arielle Zerr. Working with Arielle and Blake is truly a blessing.
#4: Not to misplace my keys
Where, oh where, are my keys? It gets worse every year.
Is this symptomatic of being past 60 or just a sign of me being me? Or both?
Anyway, I keep misplacing my keys. I tell myself: “Just put them in the same place, every time.” Before too long, I am screaming “Where are my keys?!” and providing Chryssoula with the impetus to contact DIAL-A-DIVORCE.
Before resorting to the nuclear option, she typically inquiries: “Did you leave the keys in your jacket?” Oh yeah … that’s where they are!
(Thanks, dear. You own the key to my heart.)
#5: Purchase a new Joey Walters jersey from the Rider Store
I actually own three Joey Walters jerseys, one of which is autographed. None of them fit anymore.
Which brings us to …
#6: Get back in shape/lose weight
Honestly, how many people don’t have this on their list of New Year’s Resolutions? Anyway, add me to the lengthy list.
#7: Stop talking about my dog so often
That would be Candy! She’s lovable and adorable!
#8: Stop telling ill-advised, tacky jokes
Did you hear the one about …?
#9: No more fantasy football!
I advanced to the final in both my NFL fantasy leagues, only to lose to Eva Fletcher and Cole Davenport. It was just too crushing.
(This resolution is the most likely of all to fail. Sort of like my team in a final.)
#10: No funerals
Best of health and happiness to everyone in 2025 and beyond!
A NICE THOUGHT
I chatted on Friday with a long-time Roughriders fan, named James, who told me a story about a chance meeting with Trevor Harris.
James bumped into the Roughriders’ quarterback outside Mosaic Stadium in 2023. Waiting for him in a vehicle were his wife, Kalie, and three sons (Trenton, Trace and Tripp).
After chatting with James, Harris asked: “Have you got a minute?” He then introduced his family to “my new friend, James.”
ROLL CREDITS …
• Nice people who deserve a plug: Darlene Dempsey, Jeremy O’Day, Dana O’Day, Brooklyn O’Day, Tyson O’Day, Alyssa O’Day, Judy O’Day, Steve Sarkisian, Trevor Harris, Cindy Fuchs, Bobby Evans, Kevin Shaw, Chris Clark, Arielle Zerr, Blake Tiedeman, Don Bahnuik, Lana Mueller, Bob Lancaster, Bev Lancaster, Cole Davenport, Eva Fletcher, Kelly Marce, Dick White, Dave Thomas, Anthony Partipilo, Chris Clark, Kevin Shaw, Leo Ezerins, Amanda Ruller and Peter Kourles.
