With the CFL’s 2023 regular season officially in the books, here is a look at 10 noteworthy achievements by members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders:

EMILUS EMERGES

Samuel Emilus finished the season with 70 catches for 1,097 yards and six touchdowns. The Roughriders’ first-round selection (seventh overall) in the 2022 CFL Draft, Emilus reached the 1,000-yard mark faster than any Canadian receiver in franchise history.

 BANE BRILLIANT

Shawn Bane Jr. entered rare territory by finishing his first season as a Roughrider with a league-high 93 catches for 1,104 yards. The 93 catches rank Bane Jr. eighth in franchise history over a season, behind Don Narcisse (who caught 123 passes in 1995), Joey Walters (102 in 1982), Craig Ellis (102 in 1985), Curtis Marsh (102 in 2000), Narcisse (95 in 1998), Elgaard (94 in 1990) and Weston Dressler (94 in 2012). “It’s super-humbling,” said Bane Jr., who signed with the Roughriders as a free agent in February after spending his first two CFL seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, adding that he was “grateful” for the opportunity presented by Saskatchewan.

UP AND ADAM

Adam Korsak boasted the secondbest average yards per punt (47.9) by a Roughrider in a single season. Jon Ryan set the franchise record of 48.8 in 2019. As well, Korsak became the sixth Roughrider to lead the league in punting average — joining Ryan (2019), Larry Isbell (46.3 yards, 1954), Ferd Burket (45.3, 1962), Martin Fabi (44.0, 1963) and Ken Clark (47.3, 1982). Korsak was named the Roughriders’ Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.

SUPER MARIO

Mario Alford established a franchise record for punt returns in a season (89), leapfrogging Willis Jacox (86 in 1991). With 51 kickoff returns in 2023, Alford ranks second, behind Jacox (58). Alford’s 2023 total of 1,181 kickoff return yards is the third-best in the Roughriders’ record books, behind Jacox (1,231 in 1991) and Loucheiz Purifoy (1,201 in 2019). With three punt-return touchdowns, Alford tied a Roughriders single-season record that had previously been set by Jacox (1991), Curtis Mayfield (1999) and Corey Holmes (2005). Over two seasons as a Roughrider, Alford has seven return touchdowns — a franchise record.

LAUTHER’S LEAP

With eight points in the Oct. 21 regular-season finale against the visiting Toronto Argonauts, Brett Lauther moved into fifth on the Roughriders’ All-Time scoring list (755 points). He is one point ahead of Luca Congi. Lauther’s field-goal percentage of 83.9 is the best in Roughriders history, taking into account everyone who has attempted at least 100 three-pointers.

DOLEGALA DEALIN’

 In the regular-season finale, Jake Dolegala threw for 429 yards — tying him with Cody Fajardo (Oct. 26, 2019 at Edmonton) for the Roughriders’ 24th-best single-game total. Dolegala also became one of only eight Roughriders to boast multiple 400-yard passing games.

DEAN’S DOUBLE

Larry Dean’s 104 defensive tackles in 2023 tied him for seventh-best in Roughriders history over a season. Dean and George White are the only Roughriders to reach 100 defensive tackles in multiple seasons. White debuted with 105 tackles in 2000 and nearly matched that total the following year. Dean registered 101 tackles in 2022 before upping that figure by three.

MORROW MAGIC

Roughriders running back Jamal Morrow was named the Wireless Age Player of the Year after leading the team in yards from scrimmage (1,256). Morrow rushed for a team-high 909 yards in addition to catching 36 passes for 349 yards. He rushed for four TDs and scored once along the ground while dressing for 16 of the Roughriders’ 18 games.

REAVIS ISLAND

Strong-side linebacker C.J. Reavis sparkled during his first full season with the Roughriders. While playing in 17 games, Reavis registered 59 defensive tackles (including five for a loss), six special teams tackles, three sacks, one interception, one pass knockdown, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Reavis was involved in 81 defensive plays — a total that placed him second on the team to Dean (114).

MONCRIEF CARES

Derrick Moncrief was named the Mosaic Community Player of the Year earlier this month. Throughout his time with the Roughriders, for whom he first played in 2017, he has invested his time in various charitable and community causes. The Mosaic Company donates $10,000 to the Player of the Year’s charity of choice. Moncrief selected the Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan.

(Rob Vanstone is the senior journalist and historian for the Roughriders.)

-Rob Vanstone