Rumbling down the field like a locomotive, Saskatchewan Roughriders' running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon would be on board for a train sound effect at Mosaic Stadium when he has a big run or scores a touchdown.
"That's amazing. I think we need it in the stadium," Bertrand-Hudon told Rider Broadcast Network analyst Justin Dunk during the 5th Quarter post-game show after his team's 31-26 win over the Ottawa Redblacks.
The six-foot, 220-pound Canadian recorded 57 rushing yards on 14 carries with one touchdown and added two receptions for 17 yards and another major in Week 1. The Mont-Saint-Hilaire native became the feature back after A.J. Ouellette left the game in the first quarter following helmet-to-helmet contact from strong-side linebacker Adarius Pickett.
"I tell myself: 'I can't get hurt.' Honestly, that's what I just told myself the entire time: 'Can't get hurt, can't get hurt, play smart.' It is still the same position I've been playing since I started playing football," Bertrand-Hudon said. "As long as I'm calm back there and I can make my reads, it's perfect."
"Thomas the Train, he put together some really good runs," head Coach Corey Mace said on the 5th Quarter post-game show. "The kid every time he has an opportunity to do something has been pretty dang outstanding. Today's, again, proof of that with the two touchdowns. That game ball went to him."
Bertrand-Hudon played his collegiate football for Delaware State University from 2018-2022. He carried the football 239 times for 1,016 yards with 10 touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 51 yards while with the Hornets. The 28-year-old was selected by the Riders in the fourth round, 30th overall during the 2023 CFL Draft. In preparation for the 2025 CFL season, Bertrand-Hudon worked on his speed.
"It was really a grind. It was four hours working out per day and a strict diet the entire time. My days were so busy, I had no time to do anything that I wanted outside working out," he explained. "It kept me focused. Every day, I was in my playbook. It helped me focus and come in even more ready for the season."
During the third quarter against Ottawa, Bertrand-Hudon scored touchdowns on two straight drives. He explained how his 14-yard catch-and-run effort unfolded from his eyes while giving credit to his teammates.
"I was on a check-down route, Trevor [Harris] led me perfectly knowing there was a guy coming from the outside. Then it was very easy, Samuel Emilus made a heck of a block on the DB, all I had to do was just peekaboo with the safety and I had the outside completely free," recalled Bertrand-Hudon.
"Shout out to Sam, shout out to Trevor to help me out being able to shake the defender even easier. All my teammates did what they had to do on that play."
The Riders travel to Hamilton to face the Tiger-Cats on Saturday. Catch the pre-game show with Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates at 2 p.m. while Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 5 p.m. You can hear everything on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.