Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Centerpiece

‘Borderline Hall of Famer’: Roughriders praise Mario Alford after spectacular game-winning TD against Argonauts

Kick return specialist’s 99-yard return in final seconds gives Saskatchewan 39-32 win in Toronto
Randy Palmer
mario-alford-touchdown-in-toronto
Roughriders' returner Mario Alford was the major topic of conversation after his game-winning touchdown against Toronto on Friday night. Courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders

TORONTO -- It won’t come as much of a surprise to find out that a single play was the major topic of conversation from the game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts in Week 3.

And for good reason -- when you take a 99-yard kick-off return to the house for the game-winning score in the final seconds like Mario Alford did at BMO Field, well, that’s going to be the subject of much talk. It all led to a dramatic 39-32 victory for Saskatchewan and saw the team improve to 3-0 on the season, best in the West Division.

“Insane, insane. I wish I didn’t feel so under the weather otherwise I probably would have celebrated more,” quarterback Trevor Harris said after watching it all go down from the sidelines. “I’m super happy for Mario, he’s an explosive returner, a borderline Hall of Famer. We’re fortunate to have that guy and I love him.”

In case you missed it, here’s how it all looked:

Alford’s score came on the kickoff immediately after the Argos tied the game 32-32, completing an impressive comeback in the second half. 

It was Alford’s first return touchdown of the season and his ninth in four seasons with the Roughriders -- most in franchise history. The score also moves Alford into a tie for fourth all-time in the Canadian Football League with 12. Henry (Gizmo) Williams is tops with 31 return touchdowns, followed by Bashir Levingston (15), Brandon Banks (13), Keith Stokes (12), Earl Winfield (12), Janarion Grant (12) and Alford (12).

Linebacker A.J. Allen was on the field for Alford’s major and praised the entire special teams unit for their work on the play.

“Those guys played amazing, we played amazing and it’s a unit thing,” Allen said. “I’m so proud of all the guys on the field, including [Alford] and all the other 12 guys on the field who are supposed to be those dogs to make those plays and counted on in those positions. They were at their best when they were required to be at their best and it was nothing but positive things.”

Head coach Corey Mace shared much the same opinion, pointing out the work that goes into putting together a dangerous return unit off the field.

“He’s been outstanding this entire season and our special teams coaches, Kent Maugeri and Jeff Higgins, they put in a lot of work with these guys,”  Mace said. “How dialed in those players are in the special teams meeting is showing out on the field. Above anything else, I’m happy for those guys to be able to share that kind of a moment for us.”

The Green and White have a full week to prepare for their first home game since Week 1, as the Riders take on the B.C. Lions on Saturday, June 28 at Mosaic Stadium. Kick-off is at 5 p.m.

-- with files from Riderville.com