The Saskatchewan Roughriders topped the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 29-9 during Week 11 in front of a sold-out Mosaic Stadium.
Trevor Harris continued his CFL Most Outstanding Player pace, completing 21-of-27 passes, 78 percent completion rate, for 307 yards with three touchdowns against one interception in the victory. Additionally, Harris extended his streak to 12 games in which he has completed 70 percent or more of his passes.
Running back A.J. Ouellette was named the 620 CKRM Cooperators Rider Broadcast Network offensive player of the game. Ouellette scampered for 84 yards on 18 carries and caught three passes for 33 yards. He credited Harris with the offence's success and believes it comes down to the quarterback being a student of the game.
“He continues to try to improve day in and day out. Studies the opponents so he knows them better than they know themselves. He can dissect a defence and find who's going to be open," Ouellette said post-game.
Harris was removed from the game during the Riders final series after absorbing a big hit while throwing a completion to KeeSean Johnson deep in Hamilton territory. QB1 was visibly upset when head coach Corey Mace called him to the sidelines. Ouellette wasn’t surprised Harris wanted to stay in.
“That guy doesn't want to come off the field -- he's a competitor. I always take that Ohio pride, we're going to scrap until the end. It doesn't matter where we're playing and he's a brother. He's tough, he's going to get up, brush it off, and go on to the next play.”
That wasn’t the only late hit Harris absorbed. Harris and Ouellette squared off following post-game TSN interviews in what has become a tradition. Ouellette feels he won this week’s battle, but admits they need to set some parameters moving forward.
“I took him out, but I got to yell at him right now because I was all padded up, mouthpiece in, and then I realized at the last second he didn't have his helmet. I didn't want to get kicked off the team, hitting him with my helmet, so I had to take my helmet off real quick.”
Ouellette, Harris and the 8-1 Saskatchewan Roughriders are back in action on Saturday when the Green and White play the 6-3 Stampeders in Calgary. Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates bring you the pre-game show at 2 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 5 p.m. You can hear extensive coverage on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
