ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Each week, argonauts.ca showcases one of the marquee matchups for fans to watch out for before the Argos’ next game. This week, we look at a pair of CIS superstars that have honed their craft at the pro level. Both Argos RB/SB Andre Durie and SB Andy Fantuz led their respective clubs in receiving last week in the first of a two-game mini-set between Saskatchewan and Toronto.
It has been a year of transition for Toronto’s Andre Durie. The former York standout, who has spent his entire football career as a tailback has made a well-documented switch to Jim Barker’s new running back/slotback hybrid position. It’s a similar position to the one CFL hall of famer Michael “Pinball” Clemons played during his time in Double Blue in the mid-to-late 90s.
The switch, which took some getting used to, has worked for the four-year Argo. This season has seen Durie catch 42 passes for a career-high 494 yards. His receiving numbers are by no means record-breaking but what has been most impressive so far this year is his ability to gain yardage after the catch. Heading into this week’s rematch with the Riders, Durie currently sits second in the league (first among non-import players) with 391 yards after the catch. In last week’s game, he had his fourth best output of the season, making five receptions for 52 yards.
It is a little surprising that it took Saskatchewan Roughriders’ slotback Andy Fantuz five seasons to hit the 1,000-yard plateau in a single season, but the reality is that Fantuz has been a force in the Riders offence for quite some time. He is having a career season thus far; one that is more than worthy of CFL Most Outstanding Canadian consideration.
Fantuz has simply been on a tear as of late, generating 438 yards and two touchdowns in his last three games. 114 of those yards came last week against the Boatmen including a 66-yard catch and run for a major.