Saskatchewan Roughriders' returner Mario Alford will return to action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the 60th Labour Day Classic on Sunday.
"It’s about time. I've been waiting for this day," Alford said to the media. "It feels pretty good to be back with the boys, be back with the guys, with the team ready to roll."
Alford has been out with a hip injury since Week 6 when the Riders lost to the Calgary Stampeders 24-10.
"With the soft tissue injury, they want to be smart, we still have a long season," Alford explained. "I want to be good down the stretch as well, but playing it safe, taking it easy for me. Give me a week of limited practice last week before I get out here full go. You can't be half-hearted about it, you want to be ready to roll. Shout-out to the trainers."
When it comes to the rivalry with the Bombers, Alford knows Winnipeg cannot be taken lightly.
"They're a great team, but they always find a way to come off on top," Alford said. "I think we'll have their number this game and down the road as well. We have to go out and be penalty-free for sure because they are great at not giving up too many penalties. We have to be smart about our penalties."
Alford has been in the CFL since 2018. He initially played in the NFL from 2015 to 2017 then signed with the Toronto Argonauts. His next team was the Montreal Alouettes, where he played from 2019 to 2022. Saskatchewan traded for Alford on July 3, 2022, sending a sixth-round pick in that year's CFL Draft to the Als.
Due to his injury, Alford spent time helping rookie Drae McCray, who took over some of Alford's duties.
"Shout-out to Drae McCray. Hopefully, he's okay from his injury, his concussion he had," Alford said. He's going to be a great player. Always try to put knowledge in a young guy's head and get them confident."
Head coach Corey Mace is eager for Alford's return and how it will help the team against the Bombers on Labour Day.
"He's Super Mario for a reason,” Mace said. "So to get him back out there and allow him to do what he does, whether that's changing field position or putting points on the board, it's crucial for us as a team."
This season, the five-foot-eight, 180-pound returner has played five games for the Riders, returning 15 kick-offs for 464 yards and one touchdown. When it comes to punt returns, he has 22 for 266 yards.
For Alford, he prides himself on his preparation for the craft of returning kicks, but he also explains some of the difficulties.
"I tell people all the time, coach can dial up where to go, but you can't coach a player how to make someone miss or how to maverick and score — you can't really coach that stuff. You've got to be a player," Alford said. "I definitely watch, especially guys who come down to tackle you, I watch them, watch their techniques and watch the punters and the kickers, watch their little knacks and whatever they have in their bag so I like to study that."
The Riders host Winnipeg for the 60th Labour Day Classic on Sunday. Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk, and Wes Cates bring to you the pre-game show at 2 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 5 p.m. Listen or watch our comprehensive coverage at the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
