After biding his time in a supporting role in 2021, Jamal Morrow has emerged as a star with the Saskatchewan Roughriders this season.
Morrow currently leads the CFL in rushing yards with 257 after four contests. The running back is fresh off from a 103 yard performance against the Alouettes on Saturday.
During the late stages of the latest Riders win, the Washington State product could see the signs from the Montreal defenders that the Saskatchewan running attack was in control. “You can look at a team’s eyes they were exhausted and gassed, you look over to their sideline their whole body language is down that definitely gives a fire to keep us going you see stuff like that, that definitely means you’re putting a team away so it’s definitely a good feeling.”
Saskatchewan added another returner to their roster with the trade for Mario Alford from Montreal on Sunday. Morrow is looking forward to Alford joining the Riders roster, pointing out the newest Rider has a lot of speed that can be very helpful for the Saskatchewan return game.
The running game is usually more prominent in the CFL during the playoffs in November, but the Riders have found it to be an important tool in the early weeks of summer. The ground attack gets the ball rolling for the rest of the offence according to the CFL’s leading rusher.
“If we can get the running game going it makes everything easier for the receivers, everything easier for Cody so if we keep doing our thing, me just being patient and hitting the holes, o-line doing their job, fullbacks doing their jobs, I think that opens up the whole offence.”
On Friday, Morrow will cross paths with former teammate William Powell. The former Rider signed with Ottawa in the offseason after spending two seasons in green and white. The current Rider running back is looking forward to seeing Powell once again. “Nothing but respect and praise for him, I’m just super excited to go against him. I have the utmost respect for him I wouldn’t be here without him.”
Residing inside of the running back room with Morrow this season is Frankie Hickson. The running back from Liberty enjoyed his most successful game with the Riders on Saturday as he racked up 57 rushing yards against the Alouettes. The newcomer brings a good vibe to the team according to the veteran running back. “The energy he brings, he has a sense of humour, his energy is very contagious.”
There is a similarity of styles between the two added by Morrow. “He’s a one cut guy up the field, north or south, he can do it all.”
Friday will be the next chance for Jamal Morrow to add to his rushing totals as Saskatchewan hosts Ottawa. You can catch the game on 620 CKRM with Countdown to Kickoff at 4:30.
