Lake Korte-Moore was part of a sea of green.
The third-year Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman helped to clear a path for Mario Alford on a game-winning, 99-yard kickoff return against the Toronto Argonauts on Friday.
Korte-Moore and running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon blazed the trail for Alford before he applied the afterburners, sped past everyone, and scored with nine seconds remaining to lift the Roughriders to a 39-32 CFL victory at BMO Field.
“On that play as a wedge, we kind of came together,” said Korte-Moore, who formed the four-person wedge along with Aaron Patrick, Ali Saad and Kerfalla Exume.
“The person I was going after got taken by another guy in our wedge, so then I moved on over. At that moment, I saw the hole and I thought, ‘Oh, shoot!’ I was just looking for someone to block.
“Mario came up next to me and I thought, ‘Oh no, that’s ’Rio. I’d better get out of the way.’ Luckily, someone from behind tried to swipe-tackle ’Rio and I guess he got my ankles, so I tripped and fell.
“Just in that moment, there was so much space. It was wide open.”
Noticing that, Alford knew he was off to the races.
“Once I got through that hole, I set up my blockers and I just saw green,” he said after Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “I said, ‘Oh, I’m gone,’ and I just knew it then.”
Although the six points were credited to Alford, he was quick to commend the 11 teammates who were part of a collaboration.
“Hats off to them, always,” the Roughriders’ No. 2 said. “It takes more than just me to do it.
“I praise those guys a lot and I’m going to keep praising them for what they do.”
Korte-Moore was quick to return the commendation.
“(Alford) is an awesome guy, a great guy, and he just gets out of there as fast as he can,” the former UBC Thunderbirds standout said.
“There’s not many guys who are as fast as him in this league and we’re honoured to have him. I’m honoured to have been a lead blocker for him for the last three years now. It’s just awesome.”
The kickoff return team on Friday’s game-deciding play also included Jayden Dalke, Dhel Duncan-Busby, Jaxon Ford, Aubrey Miller Jr., Morgen Runge and Nick Wiebe.
“Every return, we feel like we have a chance to get in the end zone, especially with 2 back there,” Korte-Moore said. “As a unit, we pride ourselves on having good net returns and good field position to start drives and things like that.
“If it wasn’t getting in the end zone, we knew that we would put our offence in a good position to go down and get a field goal to win the game.”
Alford scored right after Toronto had tied the game at 32-32 with a touchdown and a two-point convert. The quick Rider rebuttal resulted in a play that will long be remembered.
“It’s awesome to be part of a play like that, of course, but I think we all want to be part of a play at the end of the year when we hoist a championship,” Korte-Moore said with a smile.
“That’s one step along the way. It’s definitely a memorable moment, but I feel like we’ve got a lot more to come this year than just that one kick return.”
The next opportunity is on Saturday, when the 3-0 Roughriders oppose the 1-2 B.C. Lions (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).
SANDERS SHINES
Roughriders interior lineman Caleb Sanders received the highest grade of any CFL defensive player during Week 3, per rankings issued on Tuesday by Pro Football Focus.
Sanders’ grade of 90.5 was the best by any defensive player this season. He is third-best overall, behind Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander (91.6, Week 1) and B.C. signal-caller Nathan Rourke (90.8, Week 2).
Sanders is followed on the list by four teammates — fellow defensive linemen Malik Carney (90.3, Week 3) and Micah Johnson (89.7, Week 3), plus receiver Samuel Emilus (88.9, Week 1).
Sanders was among five Roughriders to make the All-Week 3 Honour Roll. He was joined by Alford (top returner; 82.6), Miller Jr. (special teams; 83.1), Dohnte Meyers (receiver; 81.4) and A.J. Ouellette (running back, 79.2).
“Caleb’s an excellent player,” Head Coach Corey Mace said after being asked specifically about Sanders. “He works his tail off and he’s a glue guy in the locker room.
“Certainly, he’s got a really bright future ahead of him. I think you saw a lot of that last year and you’ll continue to see more of it this year.”
CAUTION PREVAILS
Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris was on the practice field on Tuesday but did not take part in drills.
“He’s dealing with a little bit of an infection,” Mace said. “He kind of played through that (on Friday). Also, he took a pretty good shot during the game, so we’re just playing it kind of smart.
“He’s going to be fine.”
Receiver KeeSean Johnson was excused from Tuesday’s practice for personal reasons.
Cornerback Tevaughn Campbell sat out Tuesday’s session with a back injury.
Emilus is expected to miss a second straight game due to a foot injury.
“It’s not long-term, which is really good,” Mace said.
