Today’s torrent of random facts and sentiments is brought to you by the department of “I didn’t have a girlfriend until I was 33 and now you understand why.”

Ready, set …

• Trevor Harris has thrown at least one touchdown pass in each of his past 11 games, including both 2024 playoff contests. The longest TD-pass streak in Saskatchewan Roughriders history dates back to 1993, when Kent Austin connected for at least one major in 14 consecutive regular-season games. Next in line: Austin (1992 regular season), Darian Durant (2012-13 overlapping) and Glenn Dobbs (1951 regular season) at 13.

• Much of the bye week — loosely categorized as a vacation — has been spent poring over Roughriders stats, especially those from yesteryear. On Thursday, I stumbled across a cool one (in my assessment) from Sept. 1, 1996. That afternoon at Taylor Field, the Roughriders scored a touchdown on second-and-33 en route to defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 41-23. On first down, Roughriders quarterback Kevin Mason was flagged for intentional grounding and a loss of 23 resulted. Mason then threw a bomb to Curtis Mayfield for a 95-yard touchdown.

• The aforementioned possession began on Saskatchewan’s 26-yard line. After back-to-back runs by Robert Mimbs produced a first down, Mason was penalized and the second-and-33 predicament resulted. Cue the long-distance touchdown to Mayfield. The result: An 84-yard TD drive, capped by a 95-yard major. Do the math and it seems improbable.

• Earlier in the game, Mayfield scored an 87-yard TD to complete an 83-yard scoring march. The series began on Saskatchewan’s 27-yard line. Winnipeg was then penalized for offside, moving the ball to the 32. A sack by Angelo Snipes moved the ball back to the 23. Mason-Mayfield magic followed on second-and-14.

• Lately, anyone who asks how I am doing receives an automatic response: “7-and-1!” Yeah, like I’ve had anything to do with it …

• At 7-1, the Roughriders sit atop the CFL. Next on the agenda is an Aug. 16 matchup with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1 p.m., Mosaic Stadium). A sellout would be an appropriate salute to the Green and White for its performance to date.

• Saskatchewan is 7-1 even though Samuel Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker have been limited to a combined five starts. Without those elite pass-catchers, the Roughriders’ aerial attack has still been potent. Harris has been the top-rated CFL quarterback, in the assessment of Pro Football Focus, in three of the Roughriders’ past four games. Enjoy watching a master at work.

• Ideally, Emilus and Schaffer-Baker will both be back in the lineup by season’s end. This oldster remembers 1989, when two other Canadian-born pass-catchers — Ray Elgaard and Jeff Fairholm — returned from injuries during the playoffs and were unstoppable as Saskatchewan surged toward the second Grey Cup championship in franchise history.

• Then, as now, depth was invaluable. With Elgaard and/or Fairholm sidelined, the Roughriders used James Ellingson, Rob Bresciani and converted quarterback Jeff Bentrim as inside receivers. Bentrim also returned kickoffs.

• When Saskatchewan defeated Hamilton 43-40 in the 77th Grey Cup Game, the left offensive tackle for the winning side was Ken Moore — one of the most under-rated players in Roughriders history.

• Other under-rated Roughriders: Jason Armstead, Larry Bird, Jacob Brammer, Albert Brown, Ken Carpenter, Mike Dirks, Garner Ekstran, DaMarcus Fields, Jack Hill, Nelson Lokombo, Jocelyn Frenette,Terrell Maze, Angie Mitchell, Dominic Picard, Bob Ptacek, Vic Stevenson, Bobby Thompson, Terry Irvin, Cleveland Vann and Paul Williams. (Nominations from the floor are welcomed.)

• Angie Mitchell started at quarterback for the Roughriders in three Grey Cup games (1929, 1930, 1931). He is tied for second with Durant (2009, 2010, 2013) in the category of most Grey Cup starts by a Roughrider. Ron Lancaster leads the way with five (1966, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1976).

• FAST FACT: A.J. Ouellette has rushed for 1,243 yards in 18 regular-season or playoff games with Saskatchewan, dating back to 2024.

• Barney Shynkaruk was kind enough to chat with me on CKRM’s SportsCage on Friday. Early in the interview, he asked me if the 2025 Roughriders remind me of another team in franchise history. I pointed to the 1981 edition, which went 9-7 under first-year Head Coach Joe Faragalli. That was such a close-knit team. The camaraderie of 1981 can be compared to 2025. Mace has had a Faragalli-like effect on the players.

• Another 1981 flashback: Dohnte Meyers has registered 100-plus receiving yards in each of his past three road games. The team record of four in a row was set by Joey Walters in 1981.

• Barney also referenced a movie, Rain Man, that I have yet to see. Rain Man has quickly been added to the bye-week bucket list. Good idea? Any other suggestions?

• In 1977, I was the only member of my Grade 8 class who hadn’t seen Star Wars. No wonder I wasn’t popular. (I did see Smokey and the Bandit three times, however.)

• Revisiting the Emilus/Schaffer-Baker note: In their absence, the Roughriders have continued to start three Canadian receivers. The offence has continued to produce. Consider, too, that the Roughriders have had to replace Ajou Ajou, who enjoyed a fine rookie season after being selected in Round 7 of the 2024 CFL Draft. Now with the Indianapolis Colts, the affable Ajou caught three passes for 18 yards in Thursday’s NFL pre-season game against the Baltimore Ravens. He was targeted five times while wearing No. 9.

• Fifty years ago tomorrow, there was a notable doubleheader at Taylor Field. The Roughriders faced the B.C. Lions in the afternoon. That evening, an estimated 18,000 spectators watched the opening ceremonies of the inaugural Western Canada Summer Games. The back-to-back events attracted nearly 40,000 good citizens to Taylor Field.

• Roughriders versus Lions, 1975, took place on what may have been the calmest day in the history of professional football in Saskatchewan. The official stats sheet shows that the wind was two kilometres per hour. Unsurprisingly, all 10 placement attempts were successful.

• Nice people who deserve a plug: Peter Malone, Nancy Malone, Carol Gay Bell, John Lipp, Gracie Baynton, Lee Jones, Barney Shynkaruk, Colson Schulz, Craig Smith, Cathy Smith, Juris Graney, Johnathon Stevens, Ajou Ajou, Larry Dean, Ezra Raines Grzyb-Dore, Buck Martinez and Sheriff Buford T. Justice.