Super Mario: Alford becomes Riders’ all-time leader in return TDs

Much like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was No. 1 at the box office, Mario Alford quickly raced to No. 1 in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ record book.

The 31-year-old returner needed just 18 games to record six return touchdowns in green and white, becoming the CFL’s team’s franchise leader in that category. Alford passed Corey Holmes for the record with his second of two punt returns for touchdowns in a 33-31 CFL loss to the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday.

“It feels great,” Alford said of the record. “I also want to give a shoutout for the guys blocking for me and my teammates. I couldn’t do it without them. I want to give my hats off to them.

“It’s kind of crazy. It hasn’t really hit me yet; I don’t look into stuff like that. I’m just going with the season and trying to get these wins. That (record) hasn’t really settled in with me yet.”

Alford will try to add to his totals Saturday in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.

Since Alford was traded to the Riders by the Montreal Alouettes on July 3, 2022, he has returned three punts, two kickoffs and one missed field goal for touchdowns. That’s in addition to the three punts and one kickoff (which came in the playoffs) he returned for scores as a member of the Alouettes.

Last season, he became just the fifth player in CFL history to return a punt, a kickoff and a missed field goal for touchdowns in a single season, which helped him earn the CFL honour as the league’s most outstanding special-teams player.

“Credit to the coaches. The way we draw up schemes and the way we talk about things — me, (special teams co-ordinator Kent Maugeri) and (head coach Craig) Dickenson — they give me a lot of leeway on some things and ask me what I think,” Alford said. “It’s a communication thing and we’re all on the same page.”

Alford said his ability to find the end zone isn’t something that can be taught.

“Either you have it or you don’t. It’s just something I’ve always been able to do. I knew I had a good talent when I was four years old just escaping people and being able to run the ball,” Alford said.

That talent caught the eye of Dickenson, who knows a thing or two about returners. Before becoming a head coach in 2019, he was a special-teams co-ordinator from 2005 through ’18.

“I think speed (is what makes Alford successful),” Dickenson said. “I hated coaching against him. That’s why we went out and got him (from Montreal). I want him on my team. He has a knack for getting it in the end zone. He has a knack (that) if he is close, he scores.

“It has been a pleasure coaching him. (He’s) a hard worker (who) shows up early every day. He is just a great guy to have around.”

Now that Alford has taken one back in 2023, he feels like it will open the floodgates.

“I just need to get in there,” said Alford, who had a punt-return TD called back because of a penalty July 6 against the Edmonton Elks. “Even though (there was) that one that didn’t count last week, I just need to get in there one time and it’s just going to be a rainfall from there.”

Notes: Kicker Brett Lauther (leg) didn’t practise for a second straight day Wednesday. Dickenson said Lauther will play this week … Centre Peter Godber (hand) didn’t participate as well. Dickenson says there is a small chance he’ll play this week.