The Wood File: Who's hot...and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look back at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list ...
With the Saskatchewan Roughriders looking for a spark, two players with big-play capabilities are set to return to the lineup this week.
Speedy defensive back Tevaughn Campbell (forearm) and dynamic returner Mathew Sexton (leg) are both healthy and appear ready to rejoin a Riders team that has lost three in a row.
“I feel like it’s been a long time coming. I haven’t played in so long. Just to get back on the field with the guys, especially in practice, to relearn the guys and relearn how they play certain plays,” Campbell said. “It’s good to be out here.”
Campbell has been out since Week 9 of the CFL season after breaking his forearm in the Riders’ 28-26 win over the Edmonton Elks. Since that game, Saskatchewan has a 3-5 mark and have yet to clinch a playoff spot despite a 6-2 start to the season. Campbell was tied for the CFL lead with six interceptions last season.
The past two games, Saskatchewan’s defence has surrendered 375 yards and four touchdowns to B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, and then last week Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 242 yards and four touchdowns. Saskatchewan also didn’t force either of those quarterbacks to throw an interception.
Campbell believes attention to detail is what can help this team get things back on track for the final three games of the regular season.
“A lot of communication and mental errors where guys are making the little mistakes. Sometimes it goes unnoticed, but when it is noticed, it’s noticed big,” Campbell said.
“I think we just need to cut those things out and just be on our game.”
Sexton only played in two games this season but made a big impact in the return game.
He averaged 31 yards per punt return which included a 101-yard touchdown against the Ottawa Redblacks. He has been out 12 weeks after suffering a serious leg injury against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“It was a long process. I’m thankful for the guys in the treatment room and Dan (Farthing) upstairs, he did a really good job too, so it’s back to work. Let’s get back to it,” Sexton said.
“Right when it happened, I knew (it was bad). I felt it pop. I felt it dangling to the right a little bit but it’s not the first time I have been injured. I have had a few surgeries prior so it’s just the same process — going through the X-ray and them saying it’s not nearly as bad as we thought it was.
“It’s good mentally but it sounds good in the moment but once you get a few weeks in, it starts taking a toll on your mind for sure.”
Both will look to help the Riders pull off an upset on the road in Montreal against the Alouettes on Thanksgiving Monday. Kickoff for the game is set for 11 a.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 9 a.m.
