“It feels like Christmas in June”: Three Roughriders celebrate long-awaited CFL debuts
The waiting game ended when the regular season began for three Saskatchewan Roughriders players.
Punter Joe Couch and offensive lineman Daniel Johnson, both of whom spent the 2024 campaign on the practice roster, were in the opening-day lineup when the Ottawa REDBLACKS visited Mosaic Stadium on Thursday night.
Patience also paid off for fullback Morgen Runge, who made a long-awaited CFL debut after attending Coors Light Training Camp in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
“All last night, I was kind of picturing it in my head,” Runge said after Thursday’s 31-26 victory over Ottawa. “You’ve got great guys like A.J. Ouellette and Trevor Harris. At fullback, you’ve got me in protection and you’ve got me run blocking.
“I was thinking, ‘OK, you’ve got these guys’ careers in your hands. It’s a big deal.’ It took that level of seriousness.
“To be able to go out there, I felt like I had some successes. There’s definitely some things to work on and improve, but to go out there and put my mark on the field and help the boys, that was awesome.”
Runge, from Whitecourt, Alta., returned to the University of Alberta Golden Bears after his first two training camps with Saskatchewan.
Now, at 27, he is one of 2,197 players to have seen regular-season and/or playoff duty with the Roughriders/Regina Rugby Club.
For Couch, a CFL regular-season appearance finally materialized at age 30 — a mere 22 days after he had been released during the first round of cuts.
“We were saying goodbyes, but I was never surprised,” said the Global punter, who was re-signed on May 26th. “You just can’t be surprised with what’s going to happen. There’s been guys who’ve deserved far more than me who have met their ends. You’ve just got to take it for what it is.
“I’m just happy to be here and to get the opportunity, which at one point I didn’t think I was going to get. I had the flight booked to Australia. I was ready to leave the next day after I got cut.”
Those plans changed when Couch received an offer from Saskatoon-born long snapper Jorgen Hus.
“Jorgen said to stick around and he offered up his house for 10 days,” said Couch, who accepts snaps from Hus before holding for placekicker Brett Lauther or punting the football.
“Without Jorgen, I probably wouldn’t be here, honestly. Brett has always been there for me as well. He has been the exact same.
“It’s pretty special to share your first game with a guy (Hus) who’s playing his 150th. He has been such a good player. It’s a testament to him.”
Like Couch, Johnson was born on a different continent. His family moved to London, Ont., from a refugee camp in Nairobi, Kenya when he was one year old.
Now 25, he suited up as the sixth offensive lineman for the Roughriders on Thursday.
Johnson was pressed into duty in the third quarter, following an injury to left tackle Payton Collins.
“Being that Number 6, you know you’ve got to stay ready, and it happened,” the former Purdue Boilermakers standout said. “It was great to come out with a win.
“We have a really good group, a really tight group, so I felt like it was amazing.”
At the same time, the circumstances — entering the game as an injury replacement — were far from ideal.
“It’s a part of the game and it sucks, because I’ve been on that other end of being hurt,” Johnson said. “I know what it’s like.
“I’m praying for Payton. I hope he’ll be back in no time.”
A few feet away, Runge was seated at his locker-room stall, having resumed a phone conversation that had been interrupted by an interview for this story.
There was nary an objection from Runge, whose CFL debut took place one night after his beloved Edmonton Oilers met the Florida Panthers to begin the Stanley Cup Final.
“It’s the best week ever,” Runge said with a smile. “It’s amazing. It feels like Christmas in June.
“Go Oilers! Go Riders!”
