Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker Dawson Hodge didn’t miss a beat when he made his CFL debut in the Labour Day Classic rematch.
Despite taking the field in quite possibly the most hostile environment possible, Hodge hit a pair of mid-range field goals to account for all of Saskatchewan’s points in the 19-6 loss at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.
If you’re wondering how someone with so little experience could seem so calm and collected in such a high-stakes situation, well, that’s just how it goes when you’ve had a chance to learn from two of the best to ever do it.
Hodge chatted with the media after practice on Wednesday and spoke about two of his coaches growing up — next-door neighbour Lui Passaglia and high school coach Hank Ilesic, both members of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
“Just getting tips and pointers from them has been amazing for me,” Hodge said. “Things like not letting the moment get too big and how nothing changes, every kick is the same whether it's in practice or in a game. You trust your guys, you trust yourself and your teammates, and it'll go well.”
The Hodge family were season ticket holders for the Lions, so having Passaglia as a neighbour was something special, especially when Hodge had a chance to work with the Lions legend.
“My parents were kind of set it up because we were neighbours, we knew each other and I was just getting into kicking in high school,” Hodge said. “Being able to learn from him was amazing for sure. Especially the mental side, the little mental cues that I can learn from was pretty cool.”
Hodge refined his kicking craft at Football North out of Clarkson Secondary School in Mississauga, Ont., where he was able to benefit from the tutelage of Ilesic.
“I had a full season learning from him and that was amazing for me to really progress as a kicker,” Hodge said.
That all led to Week 15 in the CFL and the final play of the first half against the Blue Bombers. Hodge came on the field for a 33-yard field goal and put it a touch right but through the uprights.
“It's pretty surreal going out there in the (Rematch) for my first career start,” he said. “It was pretty cool. It was loud. They were bringing the energy. Going to CFL games as a kid and then going and playing in one with a sold-out crowd was pretty awesome.”
When it came time to get the job done, it’ll come as little surprise that Hodge relied on the advice he’d had earlier in his career from his legendary coaches.
“Just try not to let the moment get too big, just knowing it’s like we've been practicing all offseason,” Hodge said. “It was a pretty good start. I definitely enjoyed it and all the support from the guys was amazing. I couldn't ask for a better start.”
Now, Hodge gets to do it all over again in a place he’s very familiar with. It could even be to his advantage, given that not only did he grow up going to games at B.C. Place. He’s also played in the building in the past.
“In high school for playoffs we play at B.C. Place, so this is a kind of a full-circle moment there,” Hodge said. “It’s pretty cool.”
The Rider Broadcast Network will have all the action beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the pregame show. Teagan Witko and Wes Cates will have plenty of special guests, after which Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder will have the game call at 8:30 p.m.
