REGINA – The Saskatchewan Roughriders receiving corps were expected to be a dangerous unit heading into the 2026 CFL season, and through the first six games of the current campaign, little has happened to dispel that idea.
In fact, if anything, the start Saskatchewan’s pass catchers have put together has made them even scarier, and no more was that on display than on Thursday against the Edmonton Elks.
Kian Schaffer-Baker led the way with a career-best six catches for 180 yards, which per Riders historian Rob Vanstone was 10 yards better than his previous career best back in 2022. And while KSB was attracting all the attention, quarterback Trevor Harris also went to work finding his other premium targets. KeeSean Johnson finished with seven catches for 88 yards and Sam Emilus was right behind him with eight catches for 84 yards. All three had a touchdown.
All told, Harris would put up 386 yards passing and threw for four majors, the third time he’s put up more than 350 yards this season and first time he’s thrown for that many touchdowns.
That success was just another example of what has turned into an incredible start to the campaign for all three pass catchers.
Schaffer-Baker leads the team and is second in the CFL with 42 catches for 656 yards, while Johnson has 43 catches for 567 yards and is fifth in the league. Emilus has 31 catches for 448 yards and is 14th overall despite missing some time due to injury.
The Roughriders are the only West Division team with three receivers in the top 15 when it comes to receiving yards, despite playing one game fewer than most of their contemporaries.
“That's just a testament to just showing up every single day and just putting in the work,” Schaffer-Baker said of the receiving corps’ reason for success. “Everything comes together on those games days, but it's all the plan. I think the main thing is, with not just the three of us, but every single person on the team, pressing forward and giving everything you got for the guy next to you.”
So how does the current crew stack up historically? Thanks to Mr. Vanstone, we have a pretty good idea.
Schaffer-Baker’s 656 yards in receiving through six games are behind only Joey Walters’ 673 from way back in the 1982 campaign, and Johnson’s 567 yards are tied with Jeff Fairholm from 1993.
The reception numbers for both players are also building up, with Johnson now tied with Curtis Marsh (2000) with 43 catches through six games, one back of Craig Ellis (1985). KSB meanwhile, is tied with Ray Elgaard (1985) and Don Narcisse (1998) with 42 catches.
And with his receiving corps doing such an excellent job, Harris’ 2,015 passing yards sit fourth all-time for this point of the season.
Not a bad start, and one you better believe the Riders will want to continue.
The Green and White are back in action on Saturday night when they travel to Edmonton for the much-anticipated rematch with the Elks. Game time is 5 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium.
