You only get one chance to make a first impression. Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver Jerreth Sterns took advantage of his opportunity on Sunday.
In his Roughrider debut, the 24-year-0ld found instant chemistry with quarterback Mason Fine, as Sterns led Saskatchewan in receptions (7) and added 71 receiving yards in the Roughriders 26-24 victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
As a result of his efforts, the former Western Kentucky Hilltopper was named the offensive game star during last night’s broadcast on 620 CKRM and joined Michael Ball and Luc Mullinder during the 5th Quarter of the post-game show.
He noted that he got an early birthday (July 1) surprise with a chance to continue his football career north of the border with the Roughriders.
“My agent called me and asked me what I thought about going up to Canada and play football. I just told him that I want to play football, I got on a plane on my birthday, got signed the next day and here I am.”
Even though Sterns has only been a member of the Green and White for just over a month, he felt it was important to establish himself as a versatile weapon for the team.
“Kind of learn all positions, all receivers positions and make myself valuable in some way on special teams.”
Like most American receivers playing the Canadian game for the first time, Sterns said the “waggle” was an aspect of the game that took some time to adjust.
“Learning how to use it and adjusting route depths because of it.”
It didn’t take Sterns long to haul in his first reception from Fine yesterday, as the pair connected on the Roughriders second offensive play. The Waxahachie, Texas, product likes to get off to a fast start.
“That’s kind of how it always is for me in a game, I just like to get my first catch, get tackled early in the game so I can say, alright let’s go.”
Against the REDBLACKS, Sterns replaced Brayden Lenius, who was placed on the six-game injured list after he suffered an injury against the Toronto Argonauts.
With a quick turnaround this week as the Roughriders will head out east to face the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, there’s a good chance Saskatchewan will field the same lineup when they had on Sunday against Ottawa.
The Roughriders are facing a decision regarding their receivers as Kian Schaffer-Baker, Derel Walker, and Juwan Brescacin are about to rejoin the team.
With games like he had on Sunday, it will be tough to take Sterns out of the lineup.
620 CKRM coverage of Friday’s game against the Alouettes begins with Countdown to Kickoff at 2:30, the opening kickoff from Montreal at 5:30.
