ROBSERVATIONS: Lauding our legends … 15 years of Touchdown for Dreams … milestone for Mace … Kian closes in on 1,000
Rob Vanstone
Trevor Harris and the Saskatchewan Roughriders were both born on May 31.
On the final day of May, waaaay back in 1946, the Regina Roughriders’ name was changed to reflect the province-wide support.
Precisely 40 years later, eight-pound 14-ounce Trevor Joseph Harris was welcomed to the world at Marion (Ohio) General Hospital.
Forty years after that, to the very day, members of the 2025 Roughriders — Harris included — were presented with gleaming Grey Cup rings.
All of that brings us to today, when the Roughriders’ annual Legends Game will be played.
Rob Bagg, Dan Clark and Paul McCallum will be inducted into the CFL team’s Plaza of Honour during halftime of a game between the Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes.
The all-encompassing theme of today’s event: One Province, 80 Years.
“The name change to Saskatchewan recognizes the whole province,” Harris said on Friday. “That’s what is so cool about this organization and this province.
“I did some events this year in Moose Jaw and Swift Current and Saskatoon. Then we went way up north. They’re all Roughrider fans and they all take great pride in that.
“That’s something that fuels you as you go. You understand that this province is behind the team. It’s not just the city (of Regina).
“We need to make sure that we’re embodying the work ethic and the mentality of the province and putting the product on the field that the people here deserve. We’re pretty focused on making sure that we’re making this province proud.
“Sharing a birthday with the team is a cool thing.”
Harris routinely shares ideas and meeting spaces with Marc Mueller — a member of Roughrider royalty by birthright.
Mueller, the team’s third-year Offensive Co-ordinator, is the grandson of Ron Lancaster.
“With the great players who have come before us, we want to make sure that we’re carrying on the traditions that they started,” said Harris, the 2025 Grey Cup MVP.
“Obviously, there are going to be ups and downs in organizational history, but we take great pride in the things that have been built here. We take great pride in making this era one that kind of takes off and follows the trajectory that this organization deserves. We’re honouring those people.
“Obviously, there’s Mueller with his grandfather, and the great quarterbacks who have come through here like Darian (Durant) and Kent (Austin) and The Little General.
“I’m grateful to don the Green and White and that’s something that’s never going to be lost on me.”
Spoken like a genuine Roughriders legend.
SUITE DREAMS
The 15th anniversary of the Cameco Riders Touchdown for Dreams program is being commemorated by honouring 15 incredible women this weekend.
“For 15 years now, this program has had such a special impact and been so important for the Club, Cameco and the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan — but, above all, for the 100-plus women and families who have had dreams fulfilled,” said Roughriders Senior Sales and Partner Relations Executive Kevin Clive, who has been part of the program from the outset.
“Of course, Rider Nation always steps up to support the event by buying the pink items and helps grant the dreams of the recipients who are battling life-threatening cancer diagnoses.
“Sadly, we have already lost some of the women from this year’s dream class and so their families will wear their custom white and pink jerseys in the suite for the special wave during the acknowledgment moment in the first half on Saturday.”
Harris has worked closely with Cameco Touchdown for Dreams since joining the Roughriders in 2023. His mother, Suzanne, is a breast cancer survivor.
“Cameco Touchdown for Dreams is something that I’m obviously passionate about,” Harris said. “I’ve been affected by cancer, along with probably mostly everybody you know.
“To have the ability to (lend time to the program) is such a privilege and an honour.”
A PIECE OF HISTORY
Sixteen years ago today, Corey Mace scored his first CFL touchdown.
It was not something for Roughriders fans to celebrate.
Wearing No. 99 for the Calgary Stampeders, Mace scooped up a fumble and sprinted 60 yards for a major at historic Mosaic Stadium. It was a pivotal play in a 34-26 Calgary win.
On the sweet-16 anniversary, how should Mace’s major be celebrated?
“Probably with some Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups,” he told this hard-hitting journalist. “I don’t know if you’re picking up what I’m putting down, but I’m going to need another one from you.”
(It’s all about the Cup.)
On the play that preceded Mace’s 60-yard sprint, he tackled Roughriders running back Wes Cates after a two-yard run. Mace then made the most of the second-and-eight situation.
On the latter play, Durant was rocked by a blitzing Stampeders defensive back, Milt Collins. Mace retrieved the bouncing ball and was off to the races for what is now the 15th-longest fumble return by a Roughriders opponent.
Mace was also in the Stampeders’ lineup for the longest return against Saskatchewan — a 96-yarder by Fred Bennett in a Nov. 11, 2012 playoff game.
Bennett retrieved the football after teammate Keon Raymond blocked a convert attempt. The 96-yard return produced two points for Calgary and a 16-16 tie at McMahon Stadium.
The convert attempt followed Durant’s second of four touchdown passes on the day. His fourth scoring strike — a 24-yarder to Greg Carr with 52 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter — helped Saskatchewan assume a 30-29 lead.
Calgary replied 32 seconds later with a 68-yard, game-winning touchdown pass from Drew Tate to Romby Bryant.
Beginning with the 2012 Western Semi-Final, Durant had 25 touchdown passes in a span of nine starts. He finished the 2013 campaign by throwing eight TD passes over three post-season games, including the 101st Grey Cup.
Which reminds me: Welcome home, Darian!
“Doubles” is back for Plaza of Honour weekend.
MAJOR MILESTONE
Kian Schaffer-Baker is just 39 receiving yards shy of reaching 1,000 for the first time in his career.
“That’s all God right there,” he said. “None of that is possible without my saviour, Jesus Christ.
“It’s crazy to think this is Year 6 and it’s the first time that it’s happening. It goes to show that anything is possible, even facing setbacks and things that try to knock you off your course.
“You just keep pressing forward. The end goal is always the same — to go out there and get a ring.”
Schaffer-Baker has 63 catches for 961 yards in 10 games this season. He missed six other contests with a knee injury.
Ideally, Schaffer-Baker will hit 1,000 receiving yards at one of the fastest clips in Roughriders history.
Joey Walters (in 1981), Ray Elgaard (1990 and 1992) and Curtis Marsh (2000) all reached 1,000 in 10 games. Schaffer-Baker could join Walters (1982), Hugh Campbell (1965), Jeff Fairholm (1992) and Naaman Roosevelt (2016) in the 11-game club.
Schaffer-Baker is also hoping to hit 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the second time. In 2022, he amassed 1,034 yards (960 via receptions and 74 along the ground).
ROLL CREDITS …
• Nice people who deserve a plug: Rob Bagg, Dan Clark, Paul McCallum, Darian Durant, Don Bahnuik, Alan Ford, Ed McQuarters, Clyde Brock, Wayne Shaw, Ron Cobbledick, Bev Cobbledick, Hugh Campbell, Larry Dumelie, Dale Laird, Tracy Ford, Kim Shaw, Liz Roper, Barry Rud, Justin Herdman-Reed, Aubrey Miller Jr., Jerreth Sterns, Jay Turnbull, Kate Beirness, Paul LaPolice, Dr. Jordan Wall, Mathew Sexton, Tamara Culler and Thomas Perry.