Prolific pair: Riders’ Jones, Bane Jr. sit atop CFL receiving list

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have a high-flying dynamic duo in the early part of this CFL season.

Slotback Tevin Jones leads the CFL with 548 receiving yards and right behind him with 527 yards is teammate Shawn Bane Jr.

“I think it’s really cool,” Bane Jr. said. “I’ve never had that happen before where someone on my team is also in the high numbers.

“It’s awesome to be a part of.”

Jones is also happy to see his teammate flourishing in a Riders passing attack that is averaging 297.4 yards in the air – second-most in the CFL entering the week.

“He deserves it,” Jones said. “We’ve all been working hard but at the end of the day, we are all trying to get this W and that’s all that matters.”

Both will try to add to their numbers Sunday as the Ottawa Redblacks visit Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.

The 30-year-old Jones is averaging 91.3 yards per game since he joined the starting lineup due to the knee injury slotback Derel Walker suffered in the first game of the season.

Jones said he didn’t know he had accumulated that many yards.

“I’m just out there playing my heart out and I’m tired every game,” Jones said. “A lot of people back at home have been texting me and I figured it out.”

While Jones’ season thus far wasn’t was expected in training camp, Bane Jr. came into the season with a lot of discussion that he could be one of the CFL’s breakout players in 2023.

Bane Jr. signed with the Riders on the first day of free agency after spending the past two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders. He played in 13 games over two seasons in Calgary, recording 388 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

“I’ve always known I’ve had it in me and this is only the beginning,” Bane Jr. said. “I’m super-excited to see where it can go but mostly get more wins to correlate with the numbers.”

While the Riders have thrown for a lot of yards in recent contests, it hasn’t translated into points for the offence. Saskatchewan has just one offensive touchdown over its past two games.

The Riders, who are on a three-game losing streak, will have Mason Fine start his third straight game since veteran Trevor Harris suffered a knee injury.

Fine has thrown for 580 yards as a starter this season but has yet to lead a touchdown drive in his first two starts.

The Riders’ only offensive touchdown over the past 120 minutes of game action came last week during Touchdown Atlantic in a 31-13 loss to the Toronto Argonauts.

Backup quarterback Jake Dolegala entered the game late in the fourth quarter and, in his only drive, completed four passes for 100 yards. His last completion was a 31-yard TD strike to Bane Jr.

Bane Jr. said the team needs to start turning their yards into points and ultimately another win.

“We have plenty of plays and plenty of playmakers,” Bane Jr. said. “We have the trust in this offence and in this locker room so I think it will happen slowly but surely.”

Notes: Slotback Brayden Lenius (foot) missed another day of practice Thursday. Head coach Craig Dickenson wouldn’t rule Lenius out of Sunday’s game but said he will need to practise Friday to have a chance to play.