Saskatchewan Roughriders’ running back Ryquell Armstead set a CFL record in his debut with the Green and White.
Armstead rushed 25 times for 207 yards during a 37-29 win against the Calgary Stampeders. That’s a record for a debut game for any player in league history with a new team. No athlete has ever run for 200 or more yards in their first game with a new franchise.
“Definitely credit to the line, these coaches for believing in me and the staff believing in me. God has blessed me with the ability to pick up and retain things very fast. I’m very grateful and all I did was try to do my job and help these guys contribute,” Armstead told 620 CKRM post-game.
The 27-year-old’s 207 rushing yards was the most in a game since Jon Cornish totalled 208 with the Stamps on October 15, 2013 versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Armstead produced the first 200-yard rushing performance in the three-down league since William Stanback on October 22, 2021 when he rushed for 203 yards against the Toronto Argonauts.
“To have Q come in here, Armstead, within a week and put out that kind of performance, that’s kudos to the coaches — it was excellent to see. The run game was a thing of beauty,” Corey Mace told 620 CKRM.
The Riders’ head coach credited the five-foot-11, 220-pound back for his commitment to learn the playbook in a short time frame as a major reason why he earned the start after three practices plus a walk-through with Saskatchewan. Offensive coordinator Marc Mueller simplified concepts for Armstead to help him feel comfortable within the scheme.
“You have a kid back there that’s going to work his tail off. He’s not easy to bring down — all the things that he put on tape prior to becoming a Rider. We’ve been talking about a point of emphasis for us has been trying to solidify the run game and we did that, I’m proud of the guys,” Mace told 620 CKRM.
“It means the world to come out here and prove the world wrong and prove him right — he believed in me,” Armstead said referring to Mace. “I’m very grateful and very thankful, but it’s me just doing my job.”
Armstead boosted his rushing yards to 830 through 12 games in his first CFL season. He spent 11 games with Ottawa prior to the team releasing him on Tuesday, September 3. The CFL’s fourth leading rusher has the chance to match up against the Redblacks on Saturday, September 28 at Mosaic Stadium.
“There’s no emotions, there’s no hate, there’s no nothing. I give everything every day,” Armstead said. “I’m going to go in there with a positive mind. I’m a team guy first and I want people to understand that.”
