Roughriders rookies quench thirst for firsts

It was a night of firsts for Saskatchewan Roughriders rookies Dylan Djete and Liam Hoskins.

Djete registered his first four CFL receptions — and his first touchdown in professional football — to help the Roughriders defeat the Ottawa REDBLACKS 42-20 at Mosaic Stadium on Friday evening.

Late in the proceedings, Hoskins notched his first career sack. In so doing, he forced a fumble that was recovered by fellow Roughriders defensive lineman Benoit Marion.

“It was really cool,” Hoskins said with a smile. “It was a great feeling.

“I was glad I got the opportunity. To make the most of it, it feels really good — especially to close out a game like that.”

The sack was actually Hoskins’ third at Mosaic Stadium. The Roughriders’ fifth-round selection (43rd overall) in the 2025 CFL Canadian Draft registered two sacks in last year’s pre-season finale before returning to the University of Windsor Lancers for one more season of U Sports football.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder registered his first first in the 2026 regular-season opener, notching a special teams tackle to complete his introductory play as a CFLer.

Seven games into his pro career, he has two defensive tackles, two special teams tackles, one forced fumble and one sack.

The moment the latter stat was logged, Hoskins’ phone began to beep and buzz.

“I’ve got a bunch of texts,” he said shortly after the game. “I’ve got to go through them and call my family.

“My girlfriend was here tonight, so that was really cool for her to see that. It was good that it aligned like that.”

Whereas Hoskins experienced his first on the Roughriders’ final defensive play, Djete broke the ice to begin his team’s initial offensive series.

Three and a half minutes into the first quarter, Djete turned a short pass from Trevor Harris into a 16-yard gain. That was the first CFL reception for Djete, who had made his regular-season debut with the Roughriders six days earlier in Edmonton.

Djete expressed his thanks to Offensive Co-ordinator Marc Mueller for helping to get the first catch out of the way so quickly.

“I don’t know why he called it first, but it was like a breath of fresh air,” Djete said. “It was like, ‘All right, I’ve got my first one. Now we’re good.’

“It just felt good. It felt natural. Then I was like, ‘Shoot, I’m just playing football.’ ”

And very well, thank you.

Djete actually made the Roughriders’ first two receptions of the game — both during the team’s opening possession. His second reception was a 13-yarder that was followed two plays later by a 35-yard Alex Hale field goal.

The third reception by Djete produced an 18-yard touchdown. He caught the ball at Ottawa’s 11-yard line and went the rest of the way, crossing the goal line at 6:10 of the third quarter and giving Saskatchewan a lead that would endure for the duration.

“I just made a play and had to break a tackle,” Djete said.

“I’m a playmaker, so I’m just trying to play football, do what I do, and help the team get touchdowns.”

He did precisely that while making his fourth and final reception of Friday’s game.

Late in the third quarter, his six-yard reception put Saskatchewan in a second-and-four situation on Ottawa’s 24-yard line.

Harris then found Johnny Johnson III for a 15-yard gain and a first-down. Thomas Bertrand-Hudon proceeded to rush for eight yards on first-and-goal from the nine-yard line. Tommy Stevens followed with his first of three TD runs.

Saskatchewan, which leads the West Division with a 6-2 record, is 2-0 since activating Djete from the six-game injured list.

The Roughriders’ second-round draftee in 2026 had been sidelined since training camp. Now how he is making up for lost time.

“I’ve been preparing myself,” the former Alabama State standout said. “I’ve been going through a lot with the injury, but mentally I was there.

“When my opportunity was there, I just had to do what I had to do.”

The Roughriders are to return to action on Saturday against the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Then comes an Aug. 23 road game against the B.C. Lions. The game will be played four days after Djete’s 23^rd birthday.

Saskatchewan’s next game at Mosaic Stadium is on Aug. 29 against the Toronto Argonauts. Tickets are AVAILABLE HERE.