Roughriders’ Moore deserves a touchdown in a major way

Fullback, known as a ‘great blocker,’ has been paying the price for his teammates

Let the crusade begin. Spencer Moore must score!

“I am definitely, definitely with you on that one,” the sixth-year Saskatchewan Roughriders fullback says with a chuckle. “I’ve been on that crusade for a few years now.”

Dating back to the Roughriders’ championship season of 2013, Moore has suited up in 67 games (playoffs included).

The six-foot-four, 230-pounder has become an invaluable (if unheralded) component of the offence. It is time that he be rewarded for all he contributes on and off the field.

With that in mind, the Roughriders should implement a six-point plan — based around snapping a touchdown drought that, for Moore, dates back to Nov. 3, 2012.

That afternoon, he caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Quinlan to give the McMaster Marauders a 41-21 lead over the Western Mustangs in an Ontario University Athletics semifinal. Future Roughriders teammate Tyler Crapigna added the convert as McMaster went on to win 42-28.

“It was just a drag route,” says Moore, who played tight end at McMaster. “I caught the ball and split the D and then I jumped over the top and got hit and I helicoptered over. So it was a cool one. I guess that’s a good last one to have, but it’s a long time ago now.”

Near misses? There have been a few.

“There have been some close calls that some of the guys won’t let me live down,” he says. “They’ll say, ‘Hey, five-yard line!’ or ‘Seven-yard line!’ or something like that. It is what it is.

“Obviously, I’d love to get one, but if it happens, it happens. If not, I’ll just do what I’m asked.”

If that includes stepping up as a leader, that is fine with Moore. If that entails standing in the way of an onrushing opponent, fine. He is, in the words of head coach/GM Chris Jones, a “great blocker.”

Moore has also caught 20 passes for 172 yards as a CFLer. He was targeted twice by Zach Collaros Friday, registering a 12-yard reception in a seasonopening, 27-19 victory over the visiting Toronto Argonauts.

As the Roughriders prepare for Thursday’s game against the host Ottawa Redblacks, Moore feels the elusive touchdown is on the horizon. (And where better than TD Place for a TD, right?)

“I’ve felt it coming the last couple of years,” he says. “Yeah, I think it’s coming. My dad was saying that he had a good feeling about it. Hopefully I’ll get one sooner than later and then, once I get one, maybe they’ll come in bunches.”

Perhaps he will emulate Rob Bagg, who did not score a touchdown until his 22nd CFL game — in which he twice reached the end zone.

Moore will settle for one TD — for now.

“I definitely think about it,” he says. “In the off-season when I’m doing the Red Cross presentations to the kids, I always start it by saying, ‘Before someone asks me this question later on, I haven’t scored a touchdown — yet.’ I always say yet. And then I ask them why they think I said yet. And they say, ‘Because you’re gonna!’ I say, ‘Exactly! I’m gonna! I’ve got to believe in it or else it’s never going to happen.’

“When it happens, it’ll happen and I’m sure it’ll be great.”