Roughriders star Milligan Jr. not satisfied following defensive MOP award season
More often than not last season, the man coming up with some of the biggest moments for the Saskatchewan Roughriders was none other than 'Agent Zero.'
Rolan Milligan Jr. is coming off a 2024 campaign which saw him become not only one of the most feared defensive players across the CFL, but one of the exceptionally dominant threats at any position.
It was a season which saw the Roughriders defensive back take home CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player honours and see his name entered into the Most Outstanding Player conversation.
For Milligan Jr., however, none of that carries into the upcoming Roughriders season which begins next week in Regina.
'Last season has nothing to do with this year in my opinion,' said Milligan Jr. 'As far as the accolades and all of that, it's in the past, it was 2024. I'm just trying to come out, be the best version of myself and stack those days.'
Story continues below advertisement
Dressing in 16 games last year after an injury-plagued 2023 season, Milligan Jr. led the CFL with eight interceptions and tied for fifth in total tackles making 71 defensive stops and another 20 on special teams.
Watching the work his defensive star put in over the off-season, Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said the halfback is not satisfied one bit with his performance heading into 2025.
'He's got a standard for himself,' said Mace. 'Crazy or not, he's not complacent with what he's done last year. He identified a few things that he wanted to work on this off-season and you're seeing it translate already at camp. For [Milligan Jr.], the sky is the limit, man. He's an incredible player, an incredible leader, he doesn't even have to say nothing and guys will follow him.
'Those are the kind of guys you like.'
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Milligan Jr. will be leading a Roughriders defensive back group which is one of the most experienced in the CFL.
1:58
Former Calgary pivots Maier, Stevens get fresh start with Saskatchewan Roughriders
Despite the familiarity, he said there are tweaks to his game that he's been making at training camp over the last three weeks to best prepare him for the season.
Story continues below advertisement
'Just IDing things on the field and making sure I'm in the right spots on some plays that they gave me last year,' said Milligan Jr. 'Even just everyday now, plays they're giving me in camp, just making sure I'm making that correction.'
In the Saskatchewan secondary, Milligan Jr. will be joined by nine returnees including C.J. Reavis, Marcus Sayles, Nelson Lokombo, DaMarcus Fields, Jayden Dalke and Kosi Onyeka.
Along with former Roughrider Tevaughn Campbell rejoining the fold after a stint in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars, it's a group which Milligan Jr. feels confident leading.
Especially considering the Roughriders will be working off the same defensive playbook from Mace for a second year in a row.
'We're all getting more comfortable with everything,' said Milligan Jr. 'We can start to get in our bag a little bit more as far as different looks we might want to give the offence, just different blitz patterns or whatever the case may be.'
With a week to go before their 2025 season opener against the Ottawa Redblacks, the already lofty standard for the league's defensive MOP and the Roughriders as a whole is being raised.
It's in the hopes that they can make a longer playoff run to the Grey Cup in Winnipeg this November.
Story continues below advertisement
'Always can be better,' said Milligan Jr. 'We're always striving to make sure that we're better than we were before.'
Milligan Jr. will be among a large group of Roughriders starters on the sidelines Friday night at Mosaic Stadium, not dressed for Saskatchewan's final pre-season game hosting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The last chance for bubble players to make an impression ahead of Saturday's cut-down day for CFL teams, kickoff between the Roughriders and Blue Bombers is set for 7 p.m.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Argonauts fall flat against Alouettes in season opener
MONTREAL — Davis Alexander threw for one touchdown and 205 yards as the Montreal Alouettes defeated the Toronto Argonauts 28-10 to open their Canadian Football League season on Friday. Article content Montreal (1-0) earned its revenge after the visiting Argonauts defeated the Alouettes 30-28 in last year's East Division final en route to their 19th Grey Cup title. Article content Article content Alexander — in his first game since the Alouettes traded '23 Grey Cup MVP Cody Fajardo — rushed for 50 yards on four attempts to improve to 5-0 as a starter in the CFL. Article content The 26-year-old quarterback also threw one interception on a warm, hazy night as prairie wildfire smoke drifted into Quebec on Friday. Tyson Philpot caught one touchdown pass, Issac Adeyemi-Berglund returned a fumble into the end zone, and Caleb Evans rushed for a major before 21,480 at Molson Stadium. Article content The Alouettes' defence held the Argos to just 34 rushing yards, and Alexandre Gagne tied a CFL single-game record with seven special teams tackles. Article content Veteran QB Nick Arbuckle, last year's unexpected Grey Cup MVP, threw for one touchdown, two interceptions and 273 yards on 20-for-32 completions for Toronto (0-1). The Argonauts lineup featured 13 different starters compared to last year's championship game. Article content Toronto also started a second consecutive season without starting QB Chad Kelly, who broke his tibia and fibula late in last year's East final. Montreal kicker Jose Maltos went 2-for-3 with a rouge. Toronto's Lirim Hajrullahu went 1-for-1 on a 45-yard field goal. Article content Montreal took a 15-3 lead heading into halftime when Adeyemi-Berglund returned a fumble 17 yards into the end zone after Shawn Oakman laid out Arbuckle with 32 seconds left in the second quarter. Article content The play stood after review — instead of being ruled an incomplete pass — despite the fact Arbuckle released the ball before Oakman's hit. The league ruled that Arbuckle did not have a throwing motion before the ball left his hands. Article content Things only got worse for the Argos as James Letcher Jr. returned a kickoff 67 yards to open the second half. Article content Alexander then ran 12 yards and completed three passes to set up Evans' one-yard QB sneak into the end zone as the Alouettes took a 22-3 lead 4:29 into the half. Article content Derek Slywka intercepted Alexander's deep pass with five minutes remaining in the third quarter for his first pick in the CFL. Article content Alexander appeared to injure himself late in the third quarter when a Toronto defensive lineman fell on his legs. He rolled round on the field, holding his left knee in pain, but ultimately stood up on his own and returned to play on the next drive.
National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
Argonauts fall to Alouettes in season opener
MONTREAL — Davis Alexander threw for one touchdown and 205 yards as the Montreal Alouettes defeated the Toronto Argonauts 28-10 to open their Canadian Football League season on Friday. Article content Montreal (1-0) earned its revenge after the visiting Argonauts defeated the Alouettes 30-28 in last year's East Division final en route to their 19th Grey Cup title. Article content Article content Alexander — in his first game since the Alouettes traded '23 Grey Cup MVP Cody Fajardo — rushed for 50 yards on four attempts to improve to 5-0 as a starter in the CFL. Article content The 26-year-old quarterback also threw one interception on a warm, hazy night as prairie wildfire smoke drifted into Quebec on Friday. Article content Tyson Philpot caught one touchdown pass, Issac Adeyemi-Berglund returned a fumble into the end zone, and Caleb Evans rushed for a major before 21,480 at Molson Stadium. Article content The Alouettes' defence held the Argos to just 34 rushing yards, and Alexandre Gagne tied a CFL single-game record with seven special teams tackles. Article content Veteran QB Nick Arbuckle, last year's unexpected Grey Cup MVP, threw for one touchdown, two interceptions and 273 yards on 20-for-32 completions for Toronto (0-1). The Argonauts lineup featured 13 different starters compared to last year's championship game. Article content Toronto also started a second consecutive season without starting QB Chad Kelly, who broke his tibia and fibula late in last year's East final. Article content Montreal kicker Jose Maltos went 2-for-3 with a rouge. Toronto's Lirim Hajrullahu went 1-for-1 on a 45-yard field goal. Article content Article content Montreal took a 15-3 lead heading into halftime when Adeyemi-Berglund returned a fumble 17 yards into the end zone after Shawn Oakman laid out Arbuckle with 32 seconds left in the second quarter. Article content The play stood after review — instead of being ruled an incomplete pass — despite the fact Arbuckle released the ball before Oakman's hit. The league ruled that Arbuckle did not have a throwing motion before the ball left his hands. Article content Things only got worse for the Argos as James Letcher Jr. returned a kickoff 67 yards to open the second half. Article content Alexander then ran 12 yards and completed three passes to set up Evans' one-yard QB sneak into the end zone as the Alouettes took a 22-3 lead 4:29 into the half. Article content Derek Slywka intercepted Alexander's deep pass with five minutes remaining in the third quarter for his first pick in the CFL. Article content Alexander appeared to injure himself late in the third quarter when a Toronto defensive lineman fell on his legs. He rolled round on the field, holding his left knee in pain, but ultimately stood up on his own and returned to play on the next drive.
Toronto Sun
2 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Argonauts fall to Alouettes in season opener
Published Jun 06, 2025 • 3 minute read Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander (10) celebrates with wide receiver Tyson Philpot (6) after a successful touchdown pass during first half CFL action against the Argonauts, in Montreal on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press MONTREAL — Davis Alexander threw for one touchdown and 205 yards as the Montreal Alouettes defeated the Toronto Argonauts 28-10 to open their Canadian Football League season on Friday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Montreal (1-0) earned its revenge after the visiting Argonauts defeated the Alouettes 30-28 in last year's East Division final en route to their 19th Grey Cup title. Alexander — in his first game since the Alouettes traded '23 Grey Cup MVP Cody Fajardo — rushed for 50 yards on four attempts to improve to 5-0 as a starter in the CFL. The 26-year-old quarterback also threw one interception on a warm, hazy night as prairie wildfire smoke drifted into Quebec on Friday. Tyson Philpot caught one touchdown pass, Issac Adeyemi-Berglund returned a fumble into the end zone, and Caleb Evans rushed for a major before 21,480 at Molson Stadium. The Alouettes' defence held the Argos to just 34 rushing yards, and Alexandre Gagne tied a CFL single-game record with seven special teams tackles. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Veteran QB Nick Arbuckle, last year's unexpected Grey Cup MVP, threw for one touchdown, two interceptions and 273 yards on 20-for-32 completions for Toronto (0-1). The Argonauts lineup featured 13 different starters compared to last year's championship game. Toronto also started a second consecutive season without starting QB Chad Kelly, who broke his tibia and fibula late in last year's East final. Montreal kicker Jose Maltos went 2-for-3 with a rouge. Toronto's Lirim Hajrullahu went 1-for-1 on a 45-yard field goal. Montreal took a 15-3 lead heading into halftime when Adeyemi-Berglund returned a fumble 17 yards into the end zone after Shawn Oakman laid out Arbuckle with 32 seconds left in the second quarter. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The play stood after review — instead of being ruled an incomplete pass — despite the fact Arbuckle released the ball before Oakman's hit. The league ruled that Arbuckle did not have a throwing motion before the ball left his hands. Things only got worse for the Argos as James Letcher Jr. returned a kickoff 67 yards to open the second half. Alexander then ran 12 yards and completed three passes to set up Evans' one-yard QB sneak into the end zone as the Alouettes took a 22-3 lead 4:29 into the half. Derek Slywka intercepted Alexander's deep pass with five minutes remaining in the third quarter for his first pick in the CFL. Alexander appeared to injure himself late in the third quarter when a Toronto defensive lineman fell on his legs. He rolled round on the field, holding his left knee in pain, but ultimately stood up on his own and returned to play on the next drive. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Toronto finally scored a touchdown with 10:47 remaining when D'Verick Daniels fought his way into the end zone after catching a pass for 11 yards. Arbuckle's 47-yard bomb deep to David Ungerer III set up the score to cut Montreal's lead to 22-10. The Alouettes went ahead 25-10 after Alexander led a drive to Toronto's 23, leading to a Maltos field goal from 31 yards out. Tyrice Beverette, a nominee for defensive player of the year last season, intercepted Arbuckle's throw with 2:33 left to all but seal the result. Montreal opened the scoring eight minutes in with a rouge after Maltos missed a field goal from 38 yards out following a botched snap. Alexander aired out a pass into the end zone for Philpot, but the ball fell just out of his reach. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Alexander and Philpot made good on their next attempt. The two connected for Montreal's first touchdown of the season on a 26-yard pass deep into the end zone with 2:01 remaining in the first quarter to take an 8-0 lead. The Argos, meanwhile, struggled to generate momentum on offence. Toronto reached the Montreal 28 six minutes into the second quarter, but Arbuckle threw an interception picked off by defensive back Lorenzo Burns. Arbuckle made a couple big completions, including a 35-yard throw to Coxie, to reach the Montreal 39 on the ensuing drive. Toronto, however, settled for a field goal after two incompletions. UP NEXT Alouettes: Visit the Ottawa Redblacks next Friday. Argonauts: Host the Calgary Stampeders on June 14. Olympics NHL Toronto & GTA Columnists Toronto & GTA
