Ideally, Mario Alford will require only one play to establish a Saskatchewan Roughriders career record.

A 101-yard kickoff return, which does appear on his glittering resume, would suffice.

Entering Friday’s CFL game against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Alford is 100 yards shy of tying Corey Holmes for the most kickoff return yardage in Roughriders history.

Holmes amassed 4,077 yards over 75 regular-season games. Alford is preparing for his 58th appearance in green and white.

“I don’t really look at the stats right now,” Alford said after Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “I just want to win and continue to win.”

Saskatchewan (12-4) has clinched first place in the league’s overall standings and hosting privileges for the Western Final (Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).

As a Roughrider, Alford has returned 160 kickoffs — 25 fewer than Holmes. Alford’s four career kickoff return TDs are a franchise record.

Alford scored on a 101-yarder against the visiting Edmonton Elks on Aug. 3, 2024. His longest kickoff return this season was a 99-yard touchdown, game-winning TD against the host Toronto Argonauts on June 20.

There is a precedent for Alford taking a kickoff return to the house in Winnipeg. He scored on a 92-yarder against the Blue Bombers on Sept. 10, 2022.

On punt returns, Alford boasts the Roughriders’ third-best career yardage total (2,718). He trails Holmes (3,440) and Gene Wlasiuk (3,296).

Wlasiuk is the runaway leader in total punt returns (549), followed by Stewart Fraser (256), Jim Walter (256), Holmes (249), Alford (247) and Harry Lunn (247).

Alford needs one more punt-return TD to equal Holmes’ franchise record of five.

Albert Brown leads the Roughriders in career missed field goal return yardage (704), followed by Alford (580).

Holmes tops the list in combined return yardage (7,713). Alford is in second place, 438 yards off the pace.

“It doesn’t really hit me right away when I break a record,” Alford said, “but one day, I’ll look back on it and be like, ‘That’s cool.’ ”

“I’M ITCHING FOR THAT RING”

Cornerback Tevaughn Campbell is ticketed to return to the Roughriders’ lineup on Friday after missing four games with a head injury.

“It’s good to get out there and get an opportunity, at least,” he said after being a full participant in Tuesday’s practice. “That’s all I can ask for — to get an opportunity to go out there and make plays and get back into the flow of a game. If I happen to make plays, I make plays. If I don’t, I don’t.”

When he last appeared in green and white, he had two fourth-quarter interceptions to help the Roughriders secure a 21-13 win in Winnipeg on Sept. 6.

He emerged from the Labour Day Rematch with league-high totals in picks (six) and interception return yardage (205).

Even after missing four contests, he is 80 interception return yards ahead of the closest pursuer — teammate Rolan Milligan Jr.

As well, Campbell has maintained a grip on the interceptions lead, which he now shares with Stavros Katsantonis (Hamilton Tiger-Cats) and Tarvarus McFadden (Toronto).

Campbell has a chance of becoming the Roughriders’ seventh league leader in interceptions, following Dale West (10 in 1963), Bob Kosid (eight, 1968), Ken McEachern (10, 1980; tied for the lead), James Patrick (nine in 2010), Ed Gainey (10 in 2017) and Milligan Jr. (eight in 2024).

In 1963, West established the Roughriders’ single-season record for interception-return yards (226). Campbell is 21 yards shy of tying that long-standing mark.

It would be nice to leapfrog West, but …

“I’m just itching for that ring,” Campbell said. “That’s the most important thing.”

INJURY UPDATE

Along with Campbell, the full participants in Tuesday’s practice were defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado (foot), receiver Shawn Bane Jr. (knee) and linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr. (knee).

Listed as “limited” on Tuesday’s injury report were quarterback Trevor Harris (load management), defensive lineman Micah Johnson (load management), defensive backs Jaxon Ford (knee) and Nelson Lokombo (ankle) and offensive lineman Trevon Tate (pectoral).

The following players did not practise: Receivers KeeSean Johnson (knee) and Dohnte Meyers (ankle), Milligan Jr. (foot/knee) and fellow defensive back Marcus Sayles (ankle), kicker Brett Lauther (back), linebacker Melique Straker (illness), defensive lineman Shane Ray (neck) and quarterback Tommy Stevens (knee).

Asked whether Johnson and Stevens, specifically, will be back on the field this season, Head Coach Corey Mace replied: “I can’t answer in totality, but I would say we’re definitely gearing towards ‘we’re going to be seeing those guys.’ As is the case with anything with injuries, you never know. There’s always potential setbacks, et cetera, but we’re gearing that way.”