The Saskatchewan Roughriders are preparing to begin their Grey Cup title defence on Saturday night against the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium, but for running back A.J. Ouellette, last season’s championship isn’t the finish line.
Despite helping deliver a Grey Cup to Saskatchewan in 2025 and producing one of the best rushing seasons in the CFL, Ouellette believes there’s another level to reach.
Entering his third season with the Green and White, the veteran running back isn’t focused on what he accomplished; he’s focused on what he missed.
“I just left a lot of plays out there,” Ouellette said following practice this week. “Predetermining where I think the play is going to hit rather than letting it develop and all that. So just studying the defences more and trusting the guys even more and just starting to learn behind Logan and Yoshi and all that, what they’re thinking.”
Ouellette’s 2025 campaign was already difficult to criticize.
The Ohio product finished second in the CFL with 1,222 rushing yards and led the Roughriders with nine touchdowns while helping Saskatchewan capture the Grey Cup. He delivered several signature performances, including a career-high 139 rushing yards against B.C. in June and another 113-yard outing against the Lions in the Western Final before adding a touchdown in the Grey Cup victory over Montreal.
Still, film study during the offseason convinced him that more was available. Ouellette said reviewing tape with running backs coach Andrew Harris revealed small details that can create big gains.
“Yeah, just a lot of offseason film work,” Ouellette explained. “With Andrew, he does the same thing. He breaks down running backs, and he is very critical. Half a step out of place, all that stuff. Sometimes I’m making too big a cut. Keep it tighter, stuff like that.”
That mindset has already raised his expectations. Asked what his ceiling could be after a 1,200-yard season, Ouellette quickly shifted credit to the offensive line.
“If our line has anyone else but me, it’s probably 1,500, 1,800, 2,000,” Ouellette said. “So that’s my goals, to hopefully get them what they’re blocking worth.”
Continuity could help Saskatchewan’s offence chase even bigger numbers in 2026. Much of the core returns, including quarterback Trevor Harris, who is coming off a Grey Cup-winning season and Most Outstanding Player honours. Ouellette sees an even sharper version of the veteran pivot.
“I think he’s moving better. Obviously, he’s more knowledgeable. I didn’t know it was possible. So he’s seeing defences well and ready to prove he’s the best quarterback in the league.”
Asked to describe Harris in three words or fewer, Ouellette needed just two:
“The GOAT.”
Saturday’s season opener also brings a familiar opponent. The Lions and Roughriders met three times last season, including Saskatchewan’s victory in the Western Final, a game that featured plenty of emotion and post-whistle intensity. But Ouellette isn’t ready to label it a rivalry.
“I don’t know if we can call it a rivalry, but they’re our next opponent, so I hate them the most.”
The opener marks Saskatchewan’s first opportunity to begin building toward another championship season, and for Ouellette, another chance to prove his best football is still ahead.
Kickoff on Saturday is at 5 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium. Our coverage on the Rider Broadcast Network begins at 2 p.m. with the Countdown to Kickoff.
