The Saskatchewan Roughriders practiced on the turf at Mosaic Stadium for the first time this season, as training camp has shifted from Saskatoon to Regina.
Some players were wide-eyed when the team came out of the tunnel with the new Riders examining their new home.
Head coach Corey Mace admitted that being back home was a blessing and a curse.
“It's good to get everybody into the flow of things, of how we operate when we're at our home facility. At the same time, it kind of felt like we were mid-season here. I think some of us lost sight of what we're supposed to be doing out here during this time; we still have a week left at camp.”
Monday’s practice focused heavily on special teams, with punters Bailey Flint and Joe Couch, who re-signed with the Riders on Monday, staying out on the field to work on their punting.
One player who stayed late on the field with that tandem was returner Drae McCray, who returned four kicks for 135 yards and five punts for 46 yards against Winnipeg on Saturday.
“There are some things that I can learn from and get better at, but I was pretty happy,” McCray said.
McCray, who received an All-Big 12 Honourable mention in 2023 and 2024 while attending Texas Tech, admits the larger Canadian field allows him to use his speed.
“Shocking to see how the gaps are bigger and the field is wider.”
In College, McCray played both receiver and returner. Mace has been watching him do both at camp.
“I think it validates his tape. He was an explosive returner in college and an excellent receiver. He showed exactly who he can be in the return game in the preseason game and now he is fine-tuning his skill set as a receiver.”
McCray admits the new Canadian offence is taking some time to adjust to.
“Learning the nuances of the game and the offence in general, but I have to make the plays when they come.”
Roughriders’ special teams coordinator Kent Maugeri is excited about what McCray brings to the return game.
“He can score anytime he touches the ball. He’s fearless and to have a north-south threat like that, all he needs is a little crease and he will make you pay. “
Not to be forgotten, the Riders do have returner Mario Alford on the roster. Alford has led the league in return yards in his career. McCray shared Alford has been helping.
“Mario has been great. Saturday, he helped me line up and told me that if that situation came up, I should do this and that. He’s been a great person to take me under his wing and teach me the game's nuances — I’m very grateful that he is here.”
Other training camp notes:
Not on the field:
No. 1 – LB – C.J. Reavis
No. 6 – LB – Jameer Thurman
No. 25 – DL – Nelson Lokombo
Play of the Day:
Quarterback Trevor Harris was looking for a receiver underneath on a rollout to his right. Instead, Samuel Emilus cut to the outside of the field on a post-pattern. Harris hit him in stride, allowing Emilus to go up and catch the ball and perhaps more impressively, keep his feet in bounds.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will practice again on Tuesday at Mosaic Stadium as they prepare to host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night. The game will be broadcast on the 620 CKRM, Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.