ROB VANSTONE: THE ROUGHRIDERS’ CENTURY-LONG JOURNEY — “REED” ALL ABOUT IT!
The task of updating and expanding the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ record book has proven to be quite the statistical challenge, as evidenced by the numerous columns focused on statistics that have been featured here.
This is the result when an old-school historian takes on the endeavor of modernizing the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ historical data.
One such effort involved compiling a list of milestone games for the Roughriders, specifically focusing on games where receivers and running backs achieved 100-yard performances.
Not surprisingly, George Reed emerges as the leading figure in 100-yard rushing games, boasting an impressive 75 such performances, including playoff games.
But what might come as a surprise is the discovery that two out of Reed’s three 100-yard receiving games occurred during playoff matches, showcasing his ability to rise to the occasion.
Reed’s inaugural 100-yard receiving game took place during a regular-season matchup in 1964, where he reached precisely 100 yards.
Following that, in a game against the Calgary Stampeders on November 7, 1964, Reed delivered a standout performance with seven catches for 130 yards, contributing significantly to Saskatchewan’s victory in the Western Conference semi-final.
In another showdown against Calgary on November 15, 1969, Reed further solidified his playoff prowess with three receptions for 108 yards, once again making a pivotal impact on the outcome.
The concentration of Reed’s 100-yard games in playoff scenarios draws parallels to quarterback Kerry Joseph’s postseason performances.
Although Joseph fell short of reaching 100 rushing yards in regular-season games during his tenure with Saskatchewan, he achieved that milestone twice in four playoff appearances.
On November 11, 2007, Joseph powered Saskatchewan to victory over the Calgary Stampeders in the West semi-final with 109 rushing yards. Just three days later, he contributed 101 rushing yards in the Grey Cup triumph over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Reed and Joseph share the distinction of being two out of the three Roughriders to rush for 100-plus yards in a Grey Cup game, with Kory Sheets rounding out the trio with a record-breaking 197 yards in the 2013 Grey Cup victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Despite spending only two seasons with the Roughriders, Sheets holds the third position in the team’s all-time list of 100-yard rushing games.
The comprehensive list below details the careers of Roughriders players who have achieved 100-yard rushing and receiving games, shedding light on their remarkable contributions to the team’s history.
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