One short-yardage stop went a long way for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.<\/p>\n
Starting safety Jaxon Ford stuffed Ottawa REDBLACKS quarterback Bryson Barnes on third-and-inches late in the fourth quarter of Friday\u2019s CFL game at TD Place.<\/p>\n
Following the timely turnover on downs at the visiting team\u2019s 15-yard line, Saskatchewan strung together three first downs and extinguished the final two minutes 35 seconds, emerging with a 27-22 victory and a 3-1 record.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just doing my job,\u201d Ford said. \u201cI was the guy on the edge and I made the play when it came to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former Campbell Tartans and University of Regina Rams standout was quick to note that the third-down stop was an atonement of sorts.<\/p>\n
\u201c(The REDBLACKS) ran short yardage a little bit earlier in the game and, I\u2019m not going to lie, I wasn\u2019t aligned correctly on one of them,\u201d Ford acknowledged. \u201cI got pushed back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made some corrections to it. We always say, \u2018Be at your best when your best is required.\u2019 I\u2019m a professional. We\u2019re all professionals and I just did my job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ford delivered during his third consecutive start at safety.<\/p>\n
The three starts already represent a career single-season high for Ford. After starting two games in each of the 2023 and 2025 seasons, he appears to be on the verge of a breakout year.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery year is the most important year,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m just taking it day by day, game by game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ford made his first CFL start on Sept. 9, 2023 \u2014 six days after safety Jayden Dalke was injured during the third quarter of the 58th Labour Day Classic.<\/p>\n
Pressed into front-line duty during the third quarter against the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ford ultimately made the game-ending play. He knocked down a Zach Collaros pass on a two-point convert attempt in overtime to secure a 32-30 victory for Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a matter of acting like you\u2019re the starter, even when you\u2019re a backup, and just staying ready,\u201d Ford recalled.<\/p>\n
The Roughriders\u2019 second-round selection in the 2023 CFL Canadian Draft, Ford has been part of the Roughriders\u2019 current defensive scheme since Head Coach Corey Mace took over leading up to the 2024 season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith more reps back there, he has been getting more comfortable,\u201d said Mace, who doubled as the Defensive Co-ordinator for two seasons before handing the reins to Joshua Bell.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think everybody understands what he brings as far as physicality. He\u2019s a very physical tackler. The most important thing back there at that position is making sure that we\u2019re getting everybody on the same page.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s growing in that role tremendously. I\u2019m proud of him taking advantage of his opportunity and expecting things to continually get better.\u201d<\/p>\n
The progress has been celebrated by his grandparents, Alan and Sally Ford.<\/p>\n
Jaxon wears No. 21 in honour of Alan, who played for the Roughriders from 1965 to 1976. The third-down stop was a slightly belated birthday present for the Roughriders legend, who turned 83 one day before the Green and White won in Ottawa.<\/p>\n
\u201cI called him (for his birthday) and made sure he had a steak,\u201d Jaxon, who was travelling with the team that day, said with a laugh. \u201cMy cousin bought him one.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a good birthday for him and I was happy to make the play.\u201d<\/p>\n