Saskatchewan Roughriders tailback Wes Cates celebrates a touchdown against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during first half of CFL action at Mosaic Stadium in Regina Sask. on Sept. 5, 2010.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post
REGINA — Wes Cates is mingling with the greats.
With 11 touchdowns this season, Cates is already in elite company — considering that Saskatchewan Roughriders legends George Reed, Hugh Campbell, Ray Elgaard, Kent Austin, Don Narcisse and Jeff Fairholm also boast 11-TD seasons.
Cates, however, has reached 11 touchdowns in only nine games this season, enabling the fourth-year Roughriders tailback to lead the CFL in majors. Montreal Alouettes receiver S.J. Green is next in line, with eight.
At Cates' current pace, he will eclipse the Roughriders' single-season record for touchdowns, set in 1955 when Ken Carpenter scored 18 times in 16 games. Cates also gave the record a run in 2008, when he scored 14 TDs despite missing two games due to injury.
When it was pointed out that Carpenter's record could fall by October, Cates chuckled and said: "I'm going to keep trying to do my job and stay healthy, and I'm sure we'll be talking about it around that time.''
The talk was much different entering this season. After a substandard 2009 campaign, there were questions as to whether the 30-year-old Cates was still capable of approaching peak form. Head coach Ken Miller did not commit to a starting tailback — Hugh Charles was the other candidate — until following the pre-season.
That debate ended several weeks ago.
At the midway point of the season, Cates has rushed for 631 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry, and 10 touchdowns. He has also caught 24 passes for 221 yards and another major.
"It has been a blessing,'' Cates said. "I just prayed all off-season for the Lord to give me an opportunity to be able to start and be back with my team, and He did that, and to just keep me healthy so I could perform. He has done that thus far.
"I'm just keeping the faith and just trying to get better with my teammates and trying to have a positive attitude. My attitude's been better this year than last. I'm just trying to get back in the groove and go get this Grey Cup.''
Cates never got untracked last season after missing the first two games following shoulder surgery.
"It was a tougher season for me,'' said Cates, who re-signed with the Roughriders as a free agent this past off-season. "I just feel like coming into the work days and just in general, I feel better about my situation. I feel better about my health. It wasn't something that I tried to show outwardly, but it was something that I was dealing with internally. I'm just happy to get that monkey off my back.''
Although Cates was limited to 15 yards on seven carries during Sunday's 27-23 victory over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers, two of his rushes produced touchdowns. He added 37 yards on three receptions, including a leaping, 16-yard grab during an eight-play, 91-yard TD drive during the fourth quarter.
"I'm really pleased with Wes because he has been resurgent this year,'' Miller said.
Cates is poised to pass Kenton Keith and move into fourth on the Roughriders' all-time rushing-yardage list. Keith, who was the Riders' featured tailback from 2003 to 2006, produced 3,811 yards. Cates has 3,658 rushing yards as a Roughrider.
Cates is poised to pass Kenton Keith and move into fourth on the Roughriders' all-time rushing-yardage list. Keith, who was the Riders' featured tailback from 2003 to 2006, produced 3,811 yards. Cates has 3,658 rushing yards as a Roughrider.
Reed (16,116), Mike Saunders (4,396) and Bobby Marlow (4,291) occupy the top three spots on Saskatchewan's career rushing list. Cates is a good bet to pass Saunders and Marlow late this season or early in 2011.
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