Ryquell Armstead is putting the fourth-best, single-game rushing performance in Saskatchewan Roughriders franchise history in the rearview mirror.
Armstead led the Riders offence with 25 carries for 207 yards in a 37-29 win over the Calgary Stampeders in Week 16, snapping the team’s seven-game winless streak. The run game’s success meant quarterback Trevor Harris only had to throw the ball 18 times. Harris had a front row seat to the best rushing debut for a player on a new team in CFL history.
“During a couple of drives, I said: ‘Man, this is nice.’ It was handoff, gash, gash. It felt like back in high school when we were in the Wing-T. We were dominant and we ran the ball over people,” Harris said.
“Armstead’s a baller. The way he runs like that little scamper he had to the two-yard line — this guy was carrying the whole Calgary defence. He’s a special talent,” fullback Albert Awachie said.
Head coach Corey Mace chuckled when asked if Armstead could duplicate the 207-yard performance in Week 17 against the Ottawa Redblacks.
“I sure hope so. I know these guys are locked into the details of what it is on each play to execute. Armstead’s one of those backs that can turn a small hole into a big one. He’s got enough speed in the second level to turn it into a big play.”
Making the performance more impressive for Armstead, who racked up three 200-yard rushing games while at Temple University, was his ability to absorb the playbook with only four days of practice.
“This week we can do a little bit more with the run game, the pass game, the check downs, certain things that he’s doing in terms of pass protection and whatnot,” Harris said.
The Redbacks come to Mosaic Stadium on Saturday. The 27-year-old Armstead started the season in the nation’s capital, rushing for 623 yards on 125 carries with three touchdowns in 11 games while adding 284 receiving yards on 35 catches before being released on September 3.
“It’s going to be amazing to see familiar faces and the guys I put in the time, the blood, sweat and tears with,” Armstead said. “At the end of the day, though, I’m with Sask now and I’m ready to ride.”
Armstead was asked if he has another 200-yard rushing performance in him, playing against his former team for the first time since being cut.
“I want to make sure it ain’t a fluke. For me, I’m fighting this week to prove it wasn’t a fluke,” the five-foot-11, 202-pound back said.
The Riders host the Redblacks on Saturday afternoon at Mosaic Stadium. Countdown to Kick-off begins with a chance to watch Justin Dunk and Wes Cates at 10 a.m. on YouTube. Luc Mullinder and I will join at 12 p.m. with the kick-off to follow at 1 p.m. on the Co-operators Roughrider Radio Network.
