Alouettes quarterback Cody Fajardo and Tiger-Cats running back James Butler will be key pieces for their respective teams on Saturday in the East Division semifinals. There was a time when these two players were teammates on the University of Nevada Wolf Pack, back in 2014.
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“I always encourage him, except of course when we play each other,” Fajardo said of Butler. He’s a guy I’ve stayed close to over the years. I’m one of his biggest fans and it’s always good to see a Wolf Pack graduate do well in this league.”
“He was a young guy when we played together when I was in my senior year at the University of Nevada,” the Alouettes quarterback said. He’s a great running back, I’m so proud of him. He initially had some difficulty establishing himself in this league, but here he just had two consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 yards.
On the ground and through the pass
In fact, Butler amassed 1,116 rushing yards in 17 games with the Tiger-Cats this season. He also caught 61 passes for an additional 527 yards.
Before joining Hamilton, Butler played with the British Columbia Lions in 2021 and 2022.