as the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the BC Lions in CFL action in Saskatoon, SK, June 28, 2025. Photo Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards
Brett Lauther has quite a cushion on Joe Couch.
Lauther, who is three points shy of becoming the third player to reach 1,000 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, has amassed 1,028 as a CFLer.
Couch — Lauther’s holder and the Roughriders’ punter — got on the scoreboard on Saturday when he registered rouges of 70-plus yards in a 37-18 victory over the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium.
Overall, Couch averaged 50.1 yards on seven punts — four of which had a hang time exceeding 4.6 seconds.
More on the punting prowess in a moment.
How about those rouges?!
“It was funny,” Couch said. “When it came up that Brett kicked 1,000 points, I went to Jorgen (Hus, long snapper) and asked, ‘How many points have you got?’ He said, ‘Zero.’ I was like, ‘Me, too. I’m (bleep).’ ”
Not according to Corey Mace.
“Joe is The Man,” the Roughriders’ Head Coach said after the team’s record improved to 4-0. “He has been showing it in practice. He has been transitioning to the game. He’s keeping them to the numbers, to the sideline. He’s making it easier for our guys to cover. He’s misdirectioning some kicks.
“I’ve got nothing bad to say about Joe, nor do I want to. He’s an excellent human.”
And a resilient one.
Couch was part of the first round of cuts during Coors Light Training Camp, only to rejoin the team 12 days later.
He handled most of the punting in the pre-season finale, averaging 45.2 yards per punt, with a net of 40.3, and earning a long-awaited ticket to the regular season after spending the entire 2024 campaign on the Roughriders’ practice roster.
After four games, Couch is averaging 45.4 yards per punt. That figure was boosted by Saturday’s singles of 77 and 74 yards.
The latter punt had a stratospheric hang time of 5.05 seconds. The 77-yarder was in the air for 4.68 seconds. He also boasted hang times of 4.79 and 4.66.
“Each game that has gone on, I’ve gotten a little more confident and more comfortable,” Couch said. “I’ve got so much to improve as well, so I’m not anywhere near where I can be.
“I’ve got Jorgen and Brett in my ear and they’re leading me on a straight path. I’m just lucky to have two heavy vets, guys who have played more than 100 games each, in my corner. That helps a lot.
“It’s the same with Kent (Maugeri, Special Teams Co-ordinator) as well. He has believed in me. Every time I wanted to do something today, he was there and he believed in me. I’m just happy to have guys supporting me all around.”
To provide reinforcement on special teams, the Roughriders signed New Zealand-born punter James Evans shortly before the June 5th regular-season opener.
“We still have James in the building as well and (he and Couch have) been pushing each other, truthfully, but we continue to go with Joe because he has proved it each week,” Mace said.
“I’m elated for the guy. For him to go from where he potentially was in training camp to where he is now, that’s showing up when your back is against the wall and he has been outstanding for us.
“I’m super proud of that kid.”
Mace’s pride extends to Lauther, who made four of eight field-goal attempts over the Roughriders’ first three games before going 5-for-5 against B.C.
“There’s just been nothing but faith in the kid,” Mace said. “I’m happy for him to be able to go out there and execute.”
Couch was also overjoyed for his teammate and friend.
“Brett has been such a legend in this league and he just works his butt off,” the Roughriders’ punter said. “He’s a perfectionist.
“It’s just the craft of being a specialist. He wants everything to be perfect. He worked really hard over the week (leading up to the B.C. game) and we just made sure we could give him the best opportunity. It’s up to Jorgen and I to give him that best opportunity.
“I was stoked and I was happy for him. He’s such a good guy and I’m happy to be here with him.”
