REGINA — Andy Fantuz and Darian Durant began connecting long before they first collaborated in a CFL game.
"We came in together in '06 and we clicked as friends,'' Durant, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' starting quarterback, recalled on Wednesday. "That allows you the time off the field to be able to talk about routes and talk about things that are going to happen when you get out there together. The chemistry we've built has yet to even get close to its full potential. He sees a lot out there and he's a smart receiver so those are the guys you want to get the ball to.
"(Montreal Alouettes quarterback) Anthony Calvillo had a good comment about him and Ben Cahoon. He said the reason they have their chemistry is because they're good friends first. I can really see how being good friends can lead to success out there on the field.''
The Calgary Stampeders can see it as well. Fantuz has reached double digits in receptions in each of the Roughriders' past two games against Calgary.
On Oct. 17, he had 10 receptions for 149 yards — including a crucial touchdown late in the fourth quarter — in a 44-44 overtime tie at McMahon Stadium. He had another massive game on Nov. 7, catching 12 passes for 123 yards as the host Riders beat Calgary 30-14.
Fantuz's excellence against Calgary is a primary reason why the Riders nosed out the Stampeders for first place in the CFL's West Division. Those teams are to meet again Sunday, 3:30 p.m., in Regina with a division championship at stake.
The last time Saskatchewan reached the Grey Cup, Fantuz was an immense contributor down the stretch. He had 16 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns in three games during the 2007 playoffs. Moreover, he was named the most outstanding Canadian in the 2007 Grey Cup after catching four passes for 70 yards, including a highlight-reel TD.
Roughriders slotback Jason Clermont referenced Fantuz's post-season heroics of two years ago in the most-recent Clermont's Corner column in the Leader-Post. Clermont highlighted the pivotal player for each of the four teams that remain in the Grey Cup hunt, touting Fantuz as Saskatchewan's Mr. November.
When Fantuz was asked about his excellence in the clutch, he responded: "That's what I want to be known for. I'm a receiver, so I want to be the go-to guy. That's how all receivers want to be.''
When Fantuz was asked about his excellence in the clutch, he responded: "That's what I want to be known for. I'm a receiver, so I want to be the go-to guy. That's how all receivers want to be.''
But few receivers can fill that role as successfully as Fantuz.
"He's the best, I think, in the league at what he does,'' Roughriders head coach Ken Miller said. "He has a knack for having a feeling for time and space. He's able to read coverage. He's able to get into an open spot. He's able to catch the ball. Maybe the biggest thing about all those things is he's ready to catch the ball when the ball has to come out — when the quarterback has to throw it.''
The telepathic rapport with Durant helps in that regard. So does the fact that Fantuz is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds — a most inviting target.
Now, will NFL teams be targeting Fantuz? He aspires to play south of the border, and continued excellence in big games would help his cause.
"I haven't really thought about it too much,'' said Fantuz, who will re-sign with the Roughriders if he does not receive overtures from the NFL during the winter. "I'm just trying to focus on the games, but without a question it's a factor. This is when more people are watching. There are only two (CFL) games this weekend and everybody's going to be watching.
"It definitely does factor in. I have no doubt about it, but it's not something that's going to be in the back of my mind when I'm trying to beat a player on a route or whatever and catch the ball. I'm just focused on what our team needs to do to win and let that stuff figure itself out. But I definitely think that the big games are more important to the scouts than the rest of the season.''
Fantuz missed five regular-season games with a torn hamstring, but still had a team-high 67 catches for 882 yards. His totals, extrapolated over a full 18-game schedule, compute to 93 receptions for 1,221 yards.
"Coming off an injury, it's kind of week by week, trying to get more and more into it and getting ready to go the extra yard in the playoffs and leave it all out there,'' Fantuz said. "I'm definitely feeling great and I'm excited to see what I can do on Sunday.''
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