RIDERS OFFENCE
Evans looking for first TD
Close hasn’t been quite enough for Shaq Evans when it comes to scoring touchdowns.
The first-year CFL receiver leads the Saskatchewan Roughriders in receiving yards (655) and is third in receptions (43) and second in targets (81). Absent from that stats line is a touchdown, a void that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“I get teased every week in the meeting room by the other receivers,” Evans said. “I’ve been close a lot of times this year, whether it was an overthrown ball or getting tripped up or getting tackled at the goal-line. I know that it’s going to happen, but it’s something that I look at every week that I have zero touchdowns.”
Evans came close against the Calgary Stampeders on Aug. 19. He was wide open over the middle, only to be overthrown by Zach Collaros. An accurate pass would have produced a 35-yard touchdown.
On Sept. 30, Evans had a chance to break out his touchdown-celebration moves against the Montreal Alouettes after what appeared to be a 19-yard score.
However, the CFL command centre ruled that Evans was down by contact on Montreal’s one-yard line. Short-yardage quarterback Nick Marshall then scored on a one-yard sneak.
“It’s hard when every week you go out there and you expect to score,” Evans said. “When it doesn’t happen, you get frustrated. We’re winning and that definitely takes precedence, but I’m still looking for that first touchdown.”
Evans has company among the Riders’ wide receivers when it comes to a dearth of touchdowns. None of Saskatchewan’s wide receivers have scored a touchdown.
“When you start thinking about it, it’s not going to happen,” Roughriders receivers coach Travis Moore said. “You just have to let it come and it will happen. It’s about visualization and how you’re going to play. You have to prepare yourself and be ready to get in there.”
Evans has been ready since appearing at the Green and White’s April mini-camp in Bradenton, Fla. He was injured early in the mini-camp, but still earned an invitation to the main training camp in Saskatoon.
“When he showed up at training camp, he was in much better shape than he was at the mini-camp,” said Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager. “He has all of the attributes that you look for in a receiver. He’s a very quiet and unassuming guy, like all of our rookies are. He just quietly goes about his business and that’s a good thing.”
Evans (six-foot-one and 210 pounds) was the receiver that the Riders pegged to replace Duron Carter when he was moved to cornerback after the first regularseason game due to a wrist injury suffered by Marshall.
Evans held on to his starting role even after Carter was switched back to offence. The Riders started Carter at slotback in Marshall’s first game back from injury. Carter was then released.
“(Evans) is definitely a big-play receiver because he has the speed, the size and the hands,” Moore said. “He’s still improving, so you’re going to see more of Shaq as he continues to improve. He understands where he wants to be and he doesn’t mind you pushing him to do it.”
Evans has endured challenging times while on the field. Against the Ottawa Redblacks, he managed just one reception (albeit for 46 yards) while being targeted seven times and he dropped two passes.
“I had that bad game and, even the start of the season, it was nerveracking,” said Evans, a 27-year-old native of Inglewood, Calif. “To see how far I’ve come is definitely something to be proud of.”