Riders’ McCray has answered questions with his play

L.J. McCray could have his hands full Friday in Calgary — or maybe he’ll just need one hand again.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ field corner and his mates are to face the Calgary Stampeders (7:30 p.m., McMahon Stadium) in a game that could help decide first place in the CFL’s West Division.

As a CFL rookie, McCray likely will get tested by Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, just as other quarterbacks have gone after the newcomer this season.

On Saturday, McCray met the challenge offered by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Saskatchewan’s 21-6 victory at Mosaic Stadium. His one-handed interception of a Chris Streveler pass near the Saskatchewan goal line made all the highlight reels.

'Cause using both hands is just boring, @J_McCrayii…#UniteInGreen | #BEL13VE pic.twitter.com/1VR2cbz3ec

— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) October 6, 2019

“It’s definitely in my top three (interceptions in my career). I’ve had a few good interceptions, diving plays and over the head, but I haven’t had a one-hander,” McCray said after a recent practice at Mosaic Stadium. “It’s my first time doing that.”

The game Friday will be McCray’s first time facing Mitchell. McCray wasn’t in the Roughriders’ lineup when they were thrashed 37-10 by Calgary on July 6.

“I know a lot about (Mitchell) as far as (watching) film and these guys talk highly of him. There’s a lot of respect shown to him in the league,” McCray said.

“He’s a really smart quarterback, he doesn’t make too many bad choices and so it shows us we have to be more disciplined this week.”

McCray has found a home at field corner in his first season with the Green and White. He joined the Roughriders this off-season after stints in the NFL, including a 22-game stretch with the San Francisco 49ers.

But after getting surgery on his right knee three different times, McCray’s opportunities down south dried up. However, that opened a door for him in the CFL.

The 6-foot-0, 210-pounder came to the Roughriders as a safety, but he also tried out at the strong-side linebacker position.

McCray said it didn’t matter where he played since his focus was on helping the team however he could.

“(Head coach Craig) Dickenson told me I would help the team. He didn’t say exactly where or how, he just said I would help the team,” McCray said. “So that has been my mindset. They needed me at field corner so I showed up at field corner.”

And it has yielded positive results thus far for the 28-year-old product of Georgetown, S.C. In nine games, the Catawba College alum has recorded 27 tackles and two interceptions.

While McCray’s play might have put to rest any doubts some fans had about how well he could adjust to the CFL game, he said he answered any questions he had in his own mind a while ago.

“Being on the field again after those three surgeries took the doubt out of my head; it’s more so about what other people need to see for motivation or confirmation,” McCray said. “I’ve let go of the doubt in my head so I’m just focused on the next game.”

And the next game is a big one for McCray and the Roughriders.

Saskatchewan (10-4) currently holds the edge over the Stampeders (9-5) in the West Division standings, but Calgary holds the tiebreaker due to the July 6 win over the Roughriders.

As a result, the Roughriders need to win by more than 27 points to hold the advantage if the teams finish the regular season with identical records.

“We have a lot riding on the game but at the same time we can’t allow that to put more pressure on us than normal,” McCray said. “This is the most important game because it’s the next game and not because of anything else.

“We have to look at it as being the next game so we just have to handle business.”

The Green Zone pre-game show gets underway Friday at 5:30 p.m.