Trevor Harris is fresh off an impressive career milestone and looks to continue his strong season when the Saskatchewan Roughriders visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday night.
The 40-year-old Harris threw for 401 yards during last week’s 42-20 victory over the visiting Ottawa Redblacks to become the 12th CFL quarterback to surpass 40,000 career passing yards.
Harris’ total sits at 40,352 yards as Saskatchewan (6-2) aims to defeat Hamilton (3-6) for the second time this season.
“It’s incredible. We all know how long the league’s been around, and there’s only 12 people to do that,” Roughriders coach Corey Mace told reporters. “In true Trevor fashion, he took that (game ball) and was looking to give away offensive player of the game ball. I said, ‘No, buddy, that’s your ball. You pick another one to give somebody else, right?'”
Harris completed 30 of 38 passes, two touchdowns and one interception against Ottawa as West Division leader Saskatchewan won for the fourth time in the past five games.
“To join the 40K club is pretty cool,” said Harris, who was MVP of last season’s Grey Cup when the Roughriders won the title. “I think it just means maybe I’m getting a little older, though.”
Harris has topped 400 yards three times this season. He ranks fourth in the CFL in passing yardage (2,655) and second in touchdown passes (19).
Hamilton linebacker Reggie Stubblefield said Harris’ precision makes the Roughriders offense go.
“They play to his strengths as a quarterback,” said Stubblefield, who is tied for third in the CFL with 48 defensive tackles. “Their offense is very efficient in what they do … Trevor does a good job of putting them in the right positions.”
The Tiger-Cats have dropped three straight games and five of their past six.
Last week, Hamilton lost 27-24 to the host BC Lions as Harrison Frost performed well in his first career CFL start.
Frost, 27, completed 20 of 33 passes for 239 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Tiger-Cats were in position to force overtime, but Marc Liegghio’s 57-yard field-goal attempt on the game’s final play was slightly wide to the left.
“We didn’t get the win,” Frost said. “I wish I could have a couple back — there were a couple in the second half I made the right read on and didn’t make the throw. It felt like I short-armed it a couple of times in the second half. I’ve got to cut loose.
“I’ve got to learn from this and just get better.”
In the first meeting, Harris threw two touchdown passes and was picked off twice as Saskatchewan sailed to a 38-7 home victory on July 12.
–Field Level Media
