Thigpen always threat to take it the distance
TORONTO Marcus Thigpen is dialed in when it comes to long-distance touchdowns.
On Saturday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders tailback broke free for an 82-yard touchdown run in a 30-29 win over the host Toronto Argonauts. The scamper was Thigpen’s third scoring play over 80plus yards this CFL season.
On July 20, Thigpen scored on an 80-yard run in a 31-20 win over the Tiger-cats in Hamilton.
On Sept. 15, he returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown in a 30-25 loss to the visiting Ottawa Redblacks.
Then came Saturday ’s 82-yarder. “It feels good and that’s what I’ve been known for through all of these years — my speed,” Thigpen said Saturday. “I’m just getting the opportunity to do it. The line is blocking well for us and the holes are big. Once I get to the second level, I feel like there isn’t anyone who can catch me.”
Thigpen’s touchdown came after the Argonauts tied the Riders 1010 by converting James Franklin’s one-yard, second-quarter TD run.
The tie lasted just 44 seconds, as Thigpen scored on the first offensive play after the kickoff. Brett Lauther’s convert gave the Riders a 17-10 lead.
Thigpen dashed through a hole, straight-armed Alden Darby and cut inside another Argos defensive back, Trumaine Washington, en route to the end zone.
“I saw (Washington) trying to cut me off and I knew I had to cut back because he would over-pursue me,” said Thigpen, who had four carries for 95 yards. “Every time I get to the second level, I feel that I can take it the distance.”
Riders quarterback Zach Collaros shares that confidence.
“Once he hits that second level, he has that extra gear,” Collaros said. “He’s just an unbelievable talent.”
It’s no accident that Thigpen is still performing at a high level at age 32.
“It’s a testament to my health,” he said. “I work out every single day and I don’t take any days off. I keep my body in shape and I eat right. I just do things the right way.”
Thigpen has heard that running backs tend to lose some of their speed once they turn 30, but he’s doing his utmost to counter that perception.
“I know some guys who are still playing at this age and I happen to be one of them,” he said.
“It’s a matter of will and what you want to accomplish. If you take care of your body and never have any serious injuries, you can play for a while.”
Saskatchewan also reached the end zone on two touchdown catches by Jordan Williams-lambert. With four TD catches this season, Williams-lambert shares the team lead with Naaman Roosevelt (who had five receptions for 105 yards on Saturday).
Williams-lambert, who had two receptions for 17 yards, could have added a third reception but a pass from Collaros slipped through his hands 29 yards downfield late in the fourth quarter.
“I told him after the game that it was one play and let’s flush it, learn from it and get better,” Collaros said. “He will. He had two touchdowns and he played well. We just have to clean up some of the details and make sure that we are precise in everything we do.”
Meanwhile, Toronto receiver Duron Carter didn’t have a reception in his first game against the Riders since being released by the Green and White on Aug. 11. Carter was only targeted for one pass, an incompletion, during Saturday’s game.
Marc Trestman, the Argonauts’ head coach, said the team is still trying to include Carter in the offence and that it is taking time.