Riders' AJ Allen a student of the game

CTV News

a day ago

Riders' AJ Allen led the entire defensive unit with seven tackles in Saskatchewan's last game against the BC Lions. (Jacob Carr / CTV News)
Being thrust into the starting linebacker duties has been no problem for the Riders' AJ Allen.
The fourth-year Rider says he is a student of the game and has learned a great deal, which has shown on the field.
Allen led the entire defensive unit with seven tackles in Saskatchewan's last game against the BC Lions.
While Allen is excelling on the gridiron, he struggled to grasp the rules of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).
Allen attended a Saskatchewan Rattlers game with his girlfriend over the bye week and the target score rules of the CEBL left him dumbfounded.
'It was target score 81, and it was 78 to 80, but there was four minutes left in the fourth so I'm like, 'What do you mean?' And then it became 80 to 80 and they said next bucket wins, I said, 'What do you mean? There's four minutes left in the fourth quarter.' They scored and everybody started leaving.'
Despite the confusion, Allen says his first CEBL game was a fun experience.
Allen took over the starting linebacker spot in Week 2 for an injured CJ Avery and is trying to improve game-by-game.
'I think what I'm trying to focus on as my development as a starter is just not being satisfied. I'm trying to improve every game and I'm trying to be great, so that looks like just constantly working on things to put me in position to make impact plays,' Allen said.
The Burlington, Ont. native was part of one of those impact plays in Week 4, tipping a Jeremiah Masoli pass into the waiting arms of Rolan Milligan Jr. for one of three Saskatchewan interceptions in the contest.
A mainstay on the Riders' special teams unit before taking on the starting role, Allen's stellar play has come as no surprise to his head coach Corey Mace.
'Obviously we know the kind of player that he proved to be last year on special teams, and now getting the nod on defense. He's been doing a really good job for us, and I think he's only going to get better with more reps just like anybody else would,' Mace said.
Allen credits his success to being a student of the game and fine tuning the little details in his game to be in the right spot on the field at the right time.
'I'm not trying to make 15 tackles in a game, we're trying to get our hands on the football, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, deflections, interceptions, things like that,' he said. 'Focusing on the details to put me in position to make those plays.'