The Saskatchewan Roughriders\u2019 2026 season opener ended with Saturday\u2019s 31-27 CFL victory over the B.C. Lions.<\/p>\n
The score was nearly identical \u2014 31-26 \u2014 when the Roughriders celebrated a victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS in the 2025 lidlifter.<\/p>\n
Yet, the games were dramatically different for Kian Schaffer-Baker.<\/p>\n
For the popular pass-catcher, the first game of 2025 was over shortly after it began. He suffered a foot injury that sidelined him until early October.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, by contrast, he caught 11 passes \u2014 his highest total in a regular-season game \u2014 for 165 yards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a full-circle moment,\u201d Schaffer-Baker said after Saturday\u2019s thriller. \u201cA year ago, I was taken off the field. Today, I got to play the game I love with my brothers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just so appreciative. I\u2019m grateful. I\u2019m blessed. I love these guys. There\u2019s no greater group in the world \u2014 the coaching staff, the players, all of Rider Nation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Roughriders\u2019 2026 season was only 15 minutes old and Schaffer-Baker already had five catches for 75 yards.<\/p>\n
The 11 catches were only one shy of his personal best. He had 12 receptions for 162 yards in the 2024 Western Final against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers.<\/p>\n
With 165 yards on Saturday, Schaffer-Baker flirted with his CFL personal best. He amassed 170 yards on five catches in B.C. on Aug. 26, 2022.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, he came close to matching his five-game regular-season totals from 2025 \u2014 15 receptions for 177 yards.<\/p>\n
Schaffer-Baker\u2019s brilliance on Saturday was complemented by receiving cohorts KeeSean Johnson (nine catches for 131 yards) and Samuel Emilus (six catches for 91 yards and three touchdowns).<\/p>\n
Dhel Duncan-Busby and Jaylen Johnson each had a reception on the Roughriders\u2019 11-play, 82-yard game-winning TD drive late in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery single one of those guys had a key play for us at some point,\u201d Head Coach Corey Mace said. \u201cObviously, you look at the Big Three of KeeSean, Schaff and Sammy. They went crazy. Dhel had a clutch catch for us to move the chains. Jaylen had a nice catch on that last drive to help us as well, taking a big shot on a contested catch.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a deep (receivers) room. I know they\u2019re coached extremely well (by Marquay McDaniel) and they\u2019re competitors. As long as those guys are healthy and they\u2019re able to roll out there, let\u2019s go.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf somebody can\u2019t go and somebody has to be called up, there are some ballplayers in that locker room who were not on the roster today. We feel really good about the receiving room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schaffer-Baker, ever upbeat, feels good about everything.<\/p>\n
\u201cTomorrow\u2019s never promised, so what do you want to be remembered for today?\u201d he said. \u201cThe only thing I want to be remembered for is giving it my all and spreading love and joy and peace every moment and opportunity I get.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we put that on display today. There was a lot of love, a lot of joy and a lot of peace \u2014 with a big W.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
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