He sparkled in his first game in green and white<\/a>, returning three kickoffs for 110 yards (including a 51-yarder) and five punts for 46 yards against the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers on May 24.<\/p>\nAfterward, McCray made a point of crediting Alford for the tutelage he provided. That has not changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have one of the greatest returners in the CFL right next to me, so if I don\u2019t use it to learn, I\u2019m not a very smart person,\u201d McCray said with a laugh on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The 5-foot-9, 185-pound receiver\/returner starred in college at Austin Peay (2021-22) and Texas Tech (2023-24) before signing with Saskatchewan in May.<\/p>\n
At Austin Peay, he was the first 1,000-yard receiver in school history. He contributed to the passing game at Texas Tech while emerging as one of the NCAA\u2019s premier returners.<\/p>\n
Now he has huge cleats to fill, barring a rapid recovery by Alford.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s Super Mario, man,\u201d Mace said. \u201cHe\u2019s a tough one to lose. Certainly, he has been playing out of his mind to this point in the season. Ultimately, it sucks for him (to sit out a game).<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, in saying that, we all have confidence in Drae to be able to go out there and execute and make plays. He showed to be really dangerous in the pre-season.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow he\u2019s got the guys in front of him blocking for him who have been doing it for the full season. We\u2019ll just see what that looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mace is also playing wait-and-see before making a call on receiver Samuel Emilus, who has missed the past three games with a foot injury.<\/p>\n
The two-time 1,000-yard receiver has been listed as a full participant in practice this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just gaining confidence back in that (knee),\u201d Mace said. \u201cHe\u2019s very close.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll end up making that decision after tomorrow\u2019s practice, but I wouldn\u2019t be shocked if he\u2019s out there this week. If it needs another (week), then we\u2019ll be smart with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
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