Canadian running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon produced his best professional performance during the Saskatchewan Roughriders 29-16 win over the Ottawa Redblacks in Week 17.
After Ryquell Armstead left the game with an upper body injury, the Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC native was pressed into action.
“We call him Thomas the Train. Thomas the Train was out there toting that thing. He’s always on the roster, he’s always taking mental reps. He’s done some really nice things for us,” head coach Corey Mace said. “The offensive line, week-after-week, I think they’re getting better.”
Bertrand-Hudon carried the football nine times for 72 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown where he made Ottawa Redblacks’ defensive back Damon Webb miss in the hole and burst in for a major.
“I read the blocks from offensive line, saw him coming down pretty fast, cut right under him and after that it was history, I had to run to the end zone. Everybody believes in me here in this organization, I believe in myself also,” the 27-year-old said.
“We have a next man up mentality, as soon as ‘Q’ went down, I knew I had to take my opportunity. We have a deep room at running back, we probably have the best one in the country.”
The Riders selected Bertrand-Hudon in the fourth round, 30th overall during the 2023 CFL Draft. While at Delaware State University, the six-foot, 227-yard back carried the football 239 times for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns and added 11 receptions for 51 yards over 27 games.
The Riders travel to Edmonton on Saturday for a matchup with the Elks. Countdown to Kick-off begins with Justin Dunk and Wes Cates at 2 p.m. Luc Mullinder and I will join at 4 p.m. with the kick-off to follow at 5 p.m. on the Co-operators Roughrider Radio Network.
