Sam Emilus closes in on second career 1,000 yard season

Sam Emilus is approaching a major milestone for a second straight season.

The 26-year-old pass catcher is up to 970 receiving yards on the season to go along with five touchdown receptions. He is tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns with KeeSean Johnson and Shawn Bane Jr.

He recorded 126 yards in the team’s 28-24 win over the Edmonton Elks last Saturday.

“It’s always good. We know 1,000 yards is a milestone for every receiver and (doing it) in back-to-back seasons, it’s a big accomplishment,” Emilus said. “We all know we have bigger goals and like I said at the beginning of the season, I knew those 1,000 would come naturally.”

That last game also saw Emilus score a touchdown on an 88-yard catch-and-run. It was the longest of his career.

“It was a perfect ball by (quarterback) Trevor (Harris) and a perfect play I would say,” Emilus said. “I just saw the ball, I knew I had a couple of steps on him so I didn’t even look at him, I just put my head down and tried to outrun him.”

The Elks had scored just four plays earlier so on the TSN television broadcast, smoke appeared to be an issue due to the fireworks that had just gone off.

But Emilus said that wasn’t the case.

“On the field level, you didn’t see the smoke. When I saw the replay, that’s when I saw the smoke,” Emilus said. “It’s funny because the smoke was there and I dusted their defence so I guess it was meant to be.”

Emilus had 1,097 yards last season in his second CFL year in 2023. This year, he’s taken on more of a leadership role in the receiver room.

“I enjoy guys calling me vet in my third year in the league. It just goes to say that I do things the right way and I’m a leader in this group. I’m going to do the best I can to lead those guys and make sure they are ready for games and the whole season,” Emilus said.

He’s also been the only wide receiver for the Riders to play in every game this season as injuries have plagued the room. That has helped build trust with Harris.

“It’s always good when you get the trust from your quarterback. They count on me and I just need to make the most out of it,” Emilus said.

Emilus will get a chance to add to his total on Saturday against the B.C. Lions. Kickoff for the game at Mosaic Stadium is set for 5 p.m.

On the other sideline in that game will be Justin McInnis. McInnis was in Saskatchewan for three seasons (2019-22, the 2020 CFL season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) before signing with B.C. in 2023. Emilus said McInnis took him under his wing in his rookie season in 2022.

“Justin was great for me my first year,” Emilus said. “I was living with him and his family. He was just a great guy and a great player. I’m glad he’s doing his thing in B.C. and having a great season. I want him to be the top receiver (in receiving yards) in this league.”

McInnis leads the CFL with 1,244 receiving yards this season, which includes a 243-yard performance against the Riders earlier this season. Emilus is fifth with 970.

“It’s always big for two Canadians to be top five in receiving yards so it goes to say that we have talent.”

The Riders could also clinch a home playoff game with a win over the Lions.

“That’s the whole goal this week. We want to go 1-0 this week and clinch a home playoff game. We know that’s a big game for us and we can do it against the team we’re probably going to see in the playoffs,” Emilus said

Notes: Linebacker Adam Auclair (knee), defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado (knee), defensive back Amari Henderson (illness), and defensive end Lake Korte-Moore (knee) did not participate in practice. Running back AJ Ouellette (hip) logged a second straight full practice.