'Happy to get the opportunity': Riders' Ajou Ajou reflects on first CFL game
In just the second game of the season, rookie receiver Ajou Ajou took to the field for his first game reps as a Saskatchewan Roughrider.
“Just go in there and know your position and do your job,” Ajou said on what he told himself when he got put into the game.
The first year Canadian Football League [CFL] receiver found himself in the lineup on the field after veterans Shawn Bane Jr. and Jerreth Sterns were sidelined with injuries.
Just a few plays in, quarterback Trevor Harris found Ajou for 11 yards to mark his first catch in the CFL.
“It’s amazing that a vet like Trevor has trust in me. He has faith in me to make that play then hey, we’ll make it every time,” Ajou shared.
The confidence showed as Ajou went a perfect five for five on his intended targets from Harris and finished the game with 41 receiving yards.
“We’ve got a group of professionals that are paying attention in meetings and when their number is called, they have to be ready and they know that. Last week was a prime example of that,” Harris said.
Get the CTV News app for Saskatchewan breaking news alerts and top stories
Head coach Corey Mace said once Ajou had the opportunity to play, he excelled on the field.
“That’s the outcome we expected when we put him out there because we just have that confidence in him,” he said.
“It’s football at the end of the day. You make plays with the ball in your hands and you can make them without it. I was just happy to get the opportunity to go in there and show coach that I’m ready,” Ajou added.
Bane Jr. and Sterns are expected to be back in the lineup this week but Harris said he’ll be looking for whomever is open.
“The guys know that if you’re in uniform, you have to be ready to rock,” he exclaimed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Debate gets testy as MPs consider confidence motion in PM Trudeau
MPs debated the first non-confidence motion of the fall House of Commons sitting today, seeing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre push once again for a snap election. But with votes secured to keep them afloat, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals were quick to turn the discussion into a referendum on the Conservative alternative.
EXCLUSIVE Image released of mysterious object shot down over Yukon in 2023
An image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023 has been obtained by CTVNews.ca.
Couple in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., awarded more than $500K for enduring life with hellish neighbour
We've all had neighbours we didn't like, but two people from Sault Ste. Marie have been awarded more than half a million dollars for the 'extreme' behaviour of the people who lived next to them.
Boosting Canadian seniors’ benefits would cost a 'chunk of change,' says PBO
Canada’s budget watchdog says the federal government may not meet its fiscal anchors if it acquiesces to the Bloc Quebecois' demand to expand seniors benefits in exchange for keeping the minority Liberals in power.
Ontario woman seen in viral video of Porsche theft now facing more charges
An 18-year-old woman who allegedly stole a Porsche and then ran over its owner in a caught-on-video incident in Mississauga earlier this month is now facing auto theft charges in Toronto.
Premier Danielle Smith announces plan to change Alberta Bill of Rights
Premier Danielle Smith says she plans to reinforce the right to decide whether to receive a vaccination or other medical procedure in changes to the Alberta Bill of Rights.
Trump mixes up the name of Charlottesville, Virginia, during his speech in Georgia
Donald Trump flubbed the name of Charlottesville, Virginia, while going off script during a speech on Tuesday otherwise focused on economic policy, slamming U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for lying about 'Charlottestown.'
'I have nothing to do with this': B.C. man says he had no idea his name was linked to global fraud scheme
CTV News and the Investigative Journalism Foundation spoke with a Canadian who claims his identity was stolen and used to set up a series of companies peddling fraudulent investment schemes.
Guilbeault calls out Poilievre over 2023 fundraiser with oil and gas executives
Steven Guilbeault accused Pierre Poilievre of catering to his 'rich friends' in the oil and gas sector by pushing a policy to scrap carbon pricing.