SASKATOON — In trademark fashion, Holton Hill intercepted a pass, sped toward the end zone, and performed a touchdown dance.
The latest pick-six took place on Wednesday morning, during the opening session of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ 2024 rookie camp.
At Saskatoon’s Griffiths Stadium, Hill adhered to a fine tradition he established at a different college football venue. As a member of the University of Texas Longhorns, he registered three interceptions — and returned each one for a touchdown.
“It was a great experience,” the 27-year-old defensive back said. “I love the University of Texas. It holds a dear spot in my heart.”
So does Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, where Hill scored all four of his touchdowns in the NCAA ranks.
As a freshman, he returned an interception 41 yards for a score against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 26, 2015.
On Sept. 2, 2017 versus the Maryland Terrapins, Hill reached produced six points on a 31-yard pick-six and a 65-yard blocked field goal return. He became the first FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) player a decade to score two such TDs in the same game.
One week later, Hill scored (again!) on a 45-yard interception return against the San Jose State Spartans. Just like that, he became the third player in Longhorns history to score on an interception return in back-to-back games.
Although Hill is best known as a defensive player, his ball-carrying skills are finely tuned.
He was primarily a running back until moving to the secondary in high school — while also contributing in other facets of the game.
As a senior at Lamar High School in Texas, he led the state with 11 interceptions and scored four touchdowns on offence or special teams.
He caught six passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns in addition to averaging 20.4 yards per punt return and an eye-popping 45.4 yards per kickoff return.
The playmaking carried over into college, as demonstrated by the aforementioned four touchdowns.
“I might have just used some of my running back skills to catch the pick and take it to the house,” Hill said with a smile.
Hill also registered an interception in the NFL. As a member of the Minnesota Vikings, he stepped in front of a pass by New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold on Oct. 21, 2018.
“It’s an amazing feeling just to go out there and see all your dreams and hard work unfold right before your eyes,” Hill said.
Hill played in 28 games, starting six, over three seasons (2018 to 2020) with the Vikings. He subsequently spent time in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals before signing with Saskatchewan in March.
“I’m just so grateful that I’m able to continue to play the game and have the opportunity,” he said, “so I’m going to go out there and just give all glory to God and continue to compete at a high level and do what I do best.”
MACE IN PLACE
Corey Mace conducted his first workout as a CFL head coach on Wednesday.
The Roughriders’ new field boss had previously coached with the Calgary Stampeders (defensive line coach, 2016 to 2021) and Toronto Argonauts (defensive co-ordinator, 2022 and 2023).
Although Mace remains a defensive co-ordinator, he now has additional responsibilities of considerable impact — as he was reminded on Day 1 of rookie camp.
“It was really cool,” he said. “There were a couple of times when I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was just walking around. I’m used to being a little more hands-on.
“It was good to take it in from a wide scope and kind of have input. To this point, I had never been able to watch anything that the offence did during practice. It was cool to check out those guys.
“The coaches are doing an outstanding job and it’s translating to the team period.”
The word “team” is a staple in Mace’s vocabulary, whether he is discussing the players, the coaching staff or the organization as a whole.
“I love sitting in the office and listening to the coaches about what they like to do,” he said. “Seeing the coaches in action is, for me, almost as exciting as seeing some of the players in action.
“It’s really good for us as a staff to be out here for the first time and even better to see these guys out there practising.”
That took precedence over a personal milestone — Day 1, on the field, as a head coach.
“That’s done, so that was quick,” Mace said with a chuckle.
“Going back and reviewing the tape, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a position coach, a co-ordinator or the head coach. We’re all looking at the tapes the same and making the corrections and trying to make this team better.”
EXTRA POINTS
- Newly signed 2024 draftees Dhel Duncan-Busby (third round) and Ajou Ajou (seventh) both made nice catches as first-day Roughriders.
- Opening Roughriders play of 2024, rookie camp edition: A handoff from Mason Fine to Jerrion Ealy.
- Nicest pass of Day 1: Shea Patterson’s crisp spiral into the wind on a deep corner route.
- Interceptions during Day 1: Hill (of course) and Cole Coleman (with a diving catch of a tipped pass). C.J. Coldon added a pass knockdown.
- Coleman’s father was a receiver and kick returner with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans in 2000 and 2001. Chris Coleman’s pro football career included five CFL games with the Montreal Alouettes. One of those games was at Taylor Field on July 4, 2003, where he caught two passes for 33 yards to help Montreal edge Saskatchewan 32-31.
- Rookie camp continues on Thursday and Friday. Each session is to run from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The same timetable applies to Coors Light Riders Training Camp, which is to begin on Sunday morning.
