Roughriders defeat Tiger-Cats 28-23 with late game touchdown

KeeSean Johnson enjoyed his Canadian Football League coming-out party on Saturday.

The 28-year-old receiver hauled in eight passes for a career-high 128 yards to lift the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 28-23 win against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before 22,810 at Tim Hortons Field.

His 15-yard touchdown reception midway through the fourth quarter was the difference maker, putting the visitors ahead 27-20.

"I want to say a lot of our receivers probably don't get talked about as much as I feel they should," Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said. "KeeSean Johnson is an unbelievable receiver.

"He got the highlight [catch] tonight. So, hopefully, moving forward people will understand who Mr. Johnson is."

After a successful collegiate career at Fresno State, the Arizona Cardinals drafted Johnson in the sixth round (174th overall) in 2019. He spent two years with the Cardinals, gaining a first-rate receiver education watching standout Larry Fitzgerald prepare and perform.

Johnson then bounced around, making stops on the practice rosters of the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills before landing in Regina.

"I've still got a lot of learning to do with this team and this league," said Johnson, who has portraits of his two daughters, Brooklyn and Jersey, tattooed on his right leg.

"Every day since camp and since last year I try to learn and work hard as hard as possible every day. Our coaches push us every day."

Johnson went to Palo Alto High School and crossed paths with Los Angeles Rams wideout Davante Adams. Johnson was a freshman there, while Adams was in his final year.

Johnson then followed Adams to Fresno State. He redshirted as a freshman and then went out and broke all of Adams' school receiving records, including 275 catches for 3,463 yards.

He also caught a pass in 50 consecutive games, shattering a 35-year-old school record of 34, set by Henry Ellard.

Although he likes to talk about what he's learned from players such as Fitzgerald and Adams, the most frequent question Johnson has been asked is if the spelling of his first name is correct because of its similarity to Keyshawn Johnson, the retired Super Bowl champion receiver.

"My Dad liked the name KeeSean," Johnson said. "That's the story."

"But I did meet Keyshawn Johnson. When I was looking for an agent. We talked with him. We didn't choose him as my agent, but I'm still friendly with him when I see him."

Roughriders placekicker Brett Lauther endured a horrible outing, missing wide-right on three field-goal attempts and whiffing on an extra point.

Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell missed a chance to notch his 100th win in his 143rd start to move into a tie for ninth with Matt Dunigan on the all-time CFL list. Mitchell still has a chance to become the fastest in CFL history to 100 wins. Ron Lancaster won his 100th game in his 149th start.