Saskatchewan Roughriders' Tommy Stevens is not satisfied with his 90-plus percent short-yardage conversion rate in the 2025 CFL season.
"To me, it's not good enough," Stevens said on the SportsCage.
The Riders are first in the West Division with a 10-3 record, Stevens has embraced working with the Green and White.
"I love all things included. The everyday process being around, not the quarterback room, but being around the receivers, the running backs, the O-line, the overall process of taking it day-by-day, getting to game day, feeling prepared and then executing," Stevens said. "We've got a great system and how we do things. That starts with Trevor [Harris] -- Trevor's led the way for us in the quarterback room. He's been good at picking things from his brain, his overall process. It's been great, I love it here."
Primarily, Harris is a pocket passer as a quarterback, but he has recently garnered the nickname 'T-Mobile' when he runs the football.
"Yes, I love it. I'm actually very upset I didn't come up with it for me because it also fits for me," Stevens explained. "It's really good, I had never heard that one before, so I was like, man, this is awesome."
The six-foot-four, 245-pound QB has played 13 games for the Green and White, rushing 48 times for 179 yards and four touchdowns. During Saskatchewan’s Week 15 game, the Riders lost 48-31 to the Montreal Alouettes. The 28-year-old Stevens recorded one rushing touchdown but fumbled once which was recovered by Alouettes' defensive back Marc-Antoine Dequoy in the first half.
Stevens would love the chance to throw the ball more, but understands it is up to the Riders' offensive coordinator Marc Mueller.
"He's been around me for a long time, this is our third season together. We spent a lot of time together and it's going to be for things I think down the road. We're going to continue to build things off the package that we used in the past. Given the game situation, it will dictate what we're going to be calling," Stevens explained. "If there is an opportunity to push it down the field, I'd be very excited to do so, but I do know that those guys up front love running the ball. When I get in there, those guys, their eyes start getting big, and you go watch some of that tape, these guys are mauling people. It's awesome that they're all in on it."
Previously, Stevens spent time with the Calgary Stampeders from 2022 through 2024 and signed with Saskatchewan during the past off-season. He admits he does not do much around the Queen City on his days off, however, he knows he needs to try Western Pizza in the future.
"I've taken days off to try to get the body right, try to relax because usually throughout the week we're here for a good amount of time," Stevens explained. On the days off, I usually try to get my dogs out, give them a couple of walks, and usually hang out in the house in the air conditioning. I'm fired up for that because I love pizza, it's going to be good."
The Green and White return to action in Edmonton to take on the Elks on Saturday, September 27. Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk, and Wes Cates bring you the pre-game show at 2 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 5 p.m. Listen to our comprehensive coverage on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
