‘I’m grateful’: Riders’ Fine ready to make first CFL start

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ new No. 1 quarterback is feeling more than Fine ahead of his first CFL start.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m excited to go out there and be the best player I can be for this team,” said Mason Fine, whose name was at the top of the depth chart ahead of the Roughriders’ game Saturday against the Calgary Stampeders.

Kickoff for the game at Mosaic Stadium is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pre-game show begins at 3 p.m.

On Wednesday, Riders head coach Craig Dickenson announced the team would turn to Fine for the pivotal game, benching Cody Fajardo.

“It’s a difficult circumstance and both sides — me and Cody — have discussed the situation openly … You can be frustrated but you can also support another friend and teammate at the same time,” Fine said.

“He’s been very positive and he has been keeping up the positivity at practice. He’s having a great time out there and being a great veteran mentor to me.”

Fine, a product of Peggs, Okla., played in 49 games for the University of North Texas Mean Green. In his career there, he completed 62.8 per cent of his passes for 12,505 yards with 93 touchdowns and 39 interceptions.

Fine joined the Roughriders for the 2021 season as the third-string quarterback, behind Fajardo and Isaac Harker. Fine moved up the depth chart and was the team’s primary backup for the playoffs.

This season, Fine has been the backup when healthy, throwing for 326 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions.

“We don’t feel like Mason is a rookie in a lot of ways. He has been with us for two years and he has played quite a bit in pre-season and he has taken a lot of reps in practice,” Dickenson said.

“There’s going to be a learning curve for sure, but he’s played a lot of football in his life and we feel like he’s going to do a good job.

“Traditionally first starts and second starts for quarterbacks have not gone well, but you’ve got to start somewhere.”

One of the challenges that could face the 25-year-old is a fierce Stampeders pass rush against what has been a porous Riders offensive line.

Calgary led the CFL with 45 sacks entering the week, while Saskatchewan had given up a CFL-high 66 sacks.

“I think (offensive co-ordinator Jason) Maas has done a great job of creating a great game plan for me and my attributes,” Fine said. “We’ve got a lot of plays in the playbook and I’ve just got to execute.”

Even though the game means a lot for the Riders’ playoff chances — becoming a must-win if the Hamilton Tiger-Cats beat the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday — Fine said he needs to keep things balanced.

“I’m going to be the player I am, the leader and teammate I am, and go out there and play my game and let the cards (fall) where they may,” Fine said.