Alouettes' Jeshrun Antwi making an attempt to show there's a spot within the CFL for Canadian tailbacks

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The position of a non-import tailback within the CFL isn’t at all times straightforward. Too many coaches take a look at passports and consider the participant can’t presumably be as gifted, dynamic or quick as his American colleague.

Jeshrun Antwi is in his third season with the Alouettes and, whereas he’s usually dressed for video games, his contributions have often been restricted. It took him till final Friday to attain his first skilled landing, towards Saskatchewan.

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Antwi’s sensible 19-yard, off-tackle run late within the third quarter may need appeared superfluous within the grand scheme, offering Montreal with a 31-3 benefit in a recreation they gained 41-12, but it surely meant every part to the 6-foot, 220 pounder, who had a productive college profession at Calgary earlier than being chosen within the sixth spherical (forty eighth total) by Montreal in 2019.

Antwi, 25, saved the ball as a memento.

“Over time, it’s going to imply much more to me,” Antwi mentioned following Thursday’s rain-soaked follow at Olympic Park. “Being right here three years, having some alternatives, however was by no means capable of get into the top zone. It meant rather a lot.

“It was an excellent job by (head coach Jason) Maas calling that play. It was blocked completely. As soon as I broke by way of, all I needed to do was run to the top zone.”

The Als have been lastly dedicated to the run towards the Roughriders, largely as a result of the group was taking part in with out beginning quarterback Cody Fajardo and tailback William Stanback. Montreal ran the ball a mixed 33 occasions, gaining 186 yards. Walter Fletcher, changing Stanback, led the way in which, gaining 73 yards on 15 carries, whereas Caleb Evans, changing Fajardo, added 66 yards on 11 carries, scoring two short-yardage touchdowns.

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Antwi had his most efficient recreation this season, with 47 yards off seven carries.

Antwi hasn’t been used this extensively since final season, after Stanback fractured his ankle within the opening recreation. Antwi began six of the following seven video games, gaining 255 yards on 48 carries earlier than relinquishing the place to Individuals Tavien Feaster and Fletcher. Nonetheless, Antwi was Montreal’s main rusher in 2022, with 600 yards off 106 carries. He additionally caught 30 passes for 200 yards, whereas being the final word group participant and by no means complaining.

“Yearly I come right here and do what’s requested of me,” Antwi mentioned. “I at all times purpose to be a greater teammate than the yr earlier than. Touchdowns and particular person accolades, I don’t fear about that. When you begin worrying about that, you’re worrying concerning the fallacious issues. If I do what I’m alleged to do, team-wise, issues will fall into place.

“This can be a very powerful atmosphere, being a professional soccer participant,” he added. “And being a professional soccer participant within the CFL. We’ve got the ratio. Everyone right here thinks they’re ok to play. Generally the week comes, guys are up, guys are down, not as a result of they didn’t do something proper. It’s due to how the ratio fell, or accidents. Issues out of their management.”

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There are Canadian tailbacks unfold all through the league who’ve displayed expertise when supplied with a possibility. Winnipeg’s Brady Oliveira — the lone non-import beginning on the place — is the CFL dashing chief, with 703 yards on 126 carries. And earlier than Oliveira burst onto the scene, Canadian tailback Andrew Harris, now in Toronto backing up import A.J. Ouellette, was the Blue Bombers’ featured tailback.

“To not look up to now, however final yr I confirmed I might be a man that might play on this league, no matter my passport,” mentioned the Israeli-born Antwi, who was raised in Calgary. “I’m making an attempt to dispel these myths. Finally the purpose is to eliminate the passport and to say, sure, Jeshrun Antwi, he’s a Canadian running-back (however) he can play.

“Nothing straightforward is price having.”

The Als performed their last follow Thursday earlier than Saturday’s recreation at Ottawa and, whereas Maas maintains Fajardo shall be one other game-time determination this week, Evans is predicted to get his second consecutive begin, just because administration doesn’t wish to danger a long-term harm. Evans is a former Redblack.

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