Despite Rider Nation’s valiant effort to lobby Canadian Football League voters, Rolan Milligan Jr. did not garner the West Division nomination for the George Reed Most Outstanding Player award.
However, Milligan Jr. and two Saskatchewan Roughriders team members earned West Division awards. The league awards will be handed out during Grey Cup week in Vancouver.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ running back Brady Olivera has been nominated as the West Division’s Most Outstanding Player. He goes against Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell for the CFL honour.
Milligan Jr. was named the West Division’s nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player. He goes against Montreal Alouettes’ linebacker Tyrice Beverette for the award.
Milligan Jr. recorded 111 defensive plays this season, fifth most in the league. The Lake Wales, Fla. native tallied a career-high eight interceptions to lead the league and he equalled his personal best with 71 defensive tackles. Milligan Jr. led a stout Roughriders defence that allowed the third-fewest points (24.1 per game) and the second-fewest yards (356.1 per game) while forcing a league-high 49 turnovers.
Melfort native Logan Ferland has earned the West Division nomination for Most Outstanding Lineman award while Toronto Argonauts’ Ryan Hunter garnered the East Division nomination.
Ferland was the lone constant on a Saskatchewan offensive line decimated by injuries. The 27-year-old started every game and registered time at guard, right tackle and centre throughout the season. He led the way as Saskatchewan topped all playoff-bound West Division teams in points scored (478), offensive touchdowns (45) and touchdown passes (27). The Roughriders’ offensive line finished with 35 sacks allowed, down from 54 last season.
Meanwhile, Riders’ rookie head coach Corey Mace was named the West Division Coach of the Year. Montreal Alouettes’ bench boss Jason Maas earned the East Division nomination.
In his first year as a head coach, Mace led the team to a second-place finish in the West Division, securing the Roughriders’ first home playoff game since 2021. The Port Moody, B.C. native led the team to a league-leading rush defence that allowed 80.3 yards per game, finishing with the league’s best turnover ratio at plus-26.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders return to the field on Saturday, November 2, when the team hosts the B.C. Lions in the West Division Semi-Final. Countdown to Kick-off begins with a chance to watch Justin Dunk and Wes Cates live at 1:30 p.m. on YouTube. Luc Mullinder and I join at 43:30 p.m. with the kick-off to follow at 4:30 p.m. on the Co-operators Roughrider Radio Network.
