Dhel Duncan-Busby is going into the Western Semi-Final the same way he’s tried to approach every game for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“Wherever the ball finds me, or wherever the team needs me, that’s where I like to be,” the receiver told Voice of the Roughriders Dave Thomas. “I like to be reliable in those kinds of situations.”
That mindset has served both him and the team well this season.
The 27-year-old took another stride in his third CFL campaign. He appeared in 17 games and racked up career highs with 59 receptions, 788 yards, and five touchdowns.
The Riders sure needed the boost.
The receiving corps was decimated by injuries over the last three months, namely with star pass catchers Kian Schaffer-Baker and Sam Emilus missing significant stretches. Duncan-Busby helped pick up the slack.
“This is the kind of year that I thought he should have,” Riders coach Corey Mace said. “It’s not just the numbers. It’s all the other things that he’s doing. He’s played multiple spots for us across the board at the receiver position, and he’s had really good games wherever he’s been playing.
“But for him, I know he’s going to want more. He’s going to want to be in those conversations with the top Canadians in the league at that position. I just trust that he’s going to continue to work to get there.”
Mace’s intuition is spot on.
Duncan-Busby’s is satisfied with his production and overall work this season, but it’s not like he’s overjoyed.
When asked if he’s felt he’s fulfilled some of his potential, Duncan-Busby’s response was wishy-washy. Instead, he was more concerned about the team objectives.
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t say yes, I guess, just in terms of stuff that I’ve heard,” he said. “But I feel like the job’s not finished. Obviously, I’ve had a good season, but I’d rather get my name on the Grey Cup and bring home another ring.”
To do that, the Riders and quarterback Trevor Harris are probably going to need to rely on Duncan-Busby – at least a bit.
The three-headed monster of KeeSean Johnson, Kian Schaffer-Baker, and Sam Emilus is only just starting to be re-formed, so he provides another option if there are signs of rust. Plus, Duncan-Busby’s season-finale performance of four catches for 56 yards should inspire some confidence in his quarterback.
Duncan-Busby wants to help the cause in any way he can. Saturday’s holds a little extra meaning because Vancouver is his hometown and his mother, grandparents, and a cousin will be in attendance.
The Riders are aiming to knock the Lions out of the playoffs for the third straight fall, but Duncan-Busby’s not all that concerned about that narrative.
He’s just focused on doing his job – and that’s anything he’s asked to do.
“We don’t really want to focus on those kinds of things,” Duncan-Busby said. “It really is a faceless opponent. This faceless opponent just happens to be B.C. this week.
“We just want to make sure that we’re being on our p’s and q’s and taking it to them.”
The Rider Broadcast Network pregame show begins at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 2:30 p.m.
