REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon is looking to make the most of his opportunities to help his team win, however that may be.
And if that sounds like something fans have heard before when talking about the the teams current group of ball carriers, well, that’s because it’s pretty much been their focus since the start of the season
Putting up yards on the ground themselves? So be it. Getting their body on rushers to open running lanes or protect the passing game? Get it done. And even sitting out a series or two in order to make sure everyone is operating at peak capacity? If it’s needed.
It’s hard to argue with the results, as evidenced by Saskatchewan’s steady run of success on offence through their first three games of the season.
Now the goal is to keep it all going — and as Bertrand-Hudon told the Voice of the Roughriders Dave Thomas after a recent practice, he’ll take the chances to contribute as they arrive. That was exactly the case against the Argonauts last week, as he averaged nearly six yards a carry with four runs for 22 yards while also doing his part to open running room for starter Quali Conley.
“It felt good honestly, just having my opportunity and being able to help the team out is the most important for me,” Bertrand-Hudon said. “So whatever happens and if I get more opportunities or less opportunities, it's a mantra in our running back room that you have to make the most of them. So I'll just keep on that.”
While Bertrand-Hudon’s primary focus is on running the ball, he’s also making sure to stay as strong as possible in the other aspects, especially blocking — living up to the saying of running backs coach Andrew Harris: no block, no rock.
“Just help the guys out and know the scheme well and just have an understanding with the O-line on where to go and what to do,” Bertrand-Hudon said when asked how one prepares for that physical aspect of the game. “After that it's just violence once you get to the contact.”
Regardless of how efficient Bertrand-Hudon is in his personal game, it takes an army to win at football. Every player has to be doing their specific job every play, which requires plenty of chemistry to function as a unit, and Bertrand-Hudon feels that has developed through head coach Corey Mace’s tutelage.
“He's been preaching hanging out with the guys outside and talk football with the guys outside and that's what we've been doing every day,” Bertrand-Hudon said. “The running backs spend a lot of time with the o-line, spend a lot of time with the wide receivers outside of football so just being able to have those moments where you guys can go over film together without the coaches. That’s where the magic happens.”
Still, there is the relatively large elephant in the room in that the Riders are 2-1 on the campaign, having lost 40-34 to the Toronto Argonauts last. As one would expect, plenty of time has been spent in the film room looking to eradicate the mistakes made in that contest, and Bertrand-Hudon hopes that’s how things turn out against Ottawa on Friday night.
“We had to emphasize on details and details and details,” he said. “We had a couple penalties and missed opportunities and we just know that we have to focus and just keep our mind on the details on the offense especially.”
The Rider Broadcast Network will have the pre-game show at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, followed by Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder with the call at 5 p.m.
