Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker during a game against the Toronto Argonauts at Mosaic Stadium on Sept. 17, 2021. (Saskatchewan Roughriders)

By Britton Gray/ CJME News

‘It’s amazing’: Schaffer-Baker blessed for opportunity with Riders

Sep 20, 2021 | 7:35 PM

Kian Schaffer-Baker is making a name for himself in the CFL.

The first-year CFLer has put together two solid games in a row for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, amassing 172 yards on 16 catches during the pair of games.

“It’s amazing. Every day I just come in and work hard and thankfully I’ve got such great teammates that continue to push me to be better,” Schaffer-Baker said.

Schaffer-Baker scored his first CFL touchdown in the 30-16 win over the Toronto Argonauts on Friday. It was a play where Schaffer-Baker caught a pass from quarterback Cody Fajardo at the Argos’ 25-yard line before going through multiple tacklers to reach the end zone.

“There’s no better feeling than that — getting to the end zone and celebrating with your team. That was the best part about it,” Schaffer-Baker said.

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The ball will stay in the family, with Schaffer-Baker giving it to his mom, Lisa.

“She is my biggest motivation. She’s my biggest inspiration. Every day she’s in my corner cheering me on. I could count on one hand the amount of games she’s missed in my life,” the Mississauga-born receiver said. “Just now she’s only starting to miss games because I’m all the way out in Saskatchewan but I know that was a special moment for her.”

Another receiver made sure Schaffer-Baker had the ball after dropping it in the end zone.

Fellow receiver Brayden Lenius scored his first career touchdown earlier this year and launched the ball into the crowd. He eventually got it back but Lenius ensured Schaffer-Baker didn’t have to go through the same experience.

“He said, ‘Don’t forget the ball.’ That’s the first thing he told me,” Schaffer-Baker said.

Schaffer-Baker finished his senior season with the University of Guelph Gryphons with 22 catches for 364 yards and three touchdowns.

While the 6-foot-4, 195-pound receiver fits the mould of a receiver in the CFL, he had to wait on draft day until the Riders took him in the fourth round (30th overall) of the 2020 CFL draft.

“It was tough because once you see it keep going, you never know if your name is going to get called or when it’s going to get called,” Schaffer-Baker said.

“I just had to remember and keep in my mind that no matter what happens, you’ve got to be thankful for the opportunity that you’re given every single day and you’ve got to come in and just keep working.”

With injuries to starting slotback Jordan Williams-Lambert and wide receiver Shaq Evans, Schaffer-Baker has been the starter in four games this season. That has led to a second coming of the Canadian Air Force in Saskatchewan, with fellow Canadians Lenius and Mitch Picton also contributing.

“We have such a great group here and so deep,” Schaffer-Baker said. “We’ve got Canadian depth everywhere.”

Schaffer-Baker will look to continue his recent success against the B.C. Lions on Friday. Kickoff for the game is set for 8:30 p.m.

Notes: Defensive back Ed Gainey (toe) was once again at practice. Gainey hopes to play but head coach Craig Dickenson said he is 50/50 right now … With safety Mike Edem (wrist) still out, defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy took reps in his place. Defensive back Christian Campbell moved to Purifoy’s halfback position … Left tackle Andrew Lauderdale (ankle) didn’t practise with Brett Boyko moving into the starting group.