Isaac Owusu
Ticats.ca
Mossis Madu really wants to do something on Saturday that he hasn’t done in almost five years.
Score a touchdown.
“I’d like to score. I haven’t got one since college. I came close in the NFL a couple of times, but now I’m like ‘I have to get in that end zone one time’,” said the Tiger-Cats rookie running back.
With CJ Gable on the injured list, Madu will take over the starting role at running back for the Ticats’ week eight matchup against the Calgary Stampeders at Ron Joyce Stadium.
He already knows what challenges to expect from his upcoming opponents.
“Their defence is real tough. I remember last game they wouldn’t let CJ get anything, especially on the ground. But I think we’re better team now than we were back then.”
“Our O-line has had a couple of games to play together compared to back then, we were still shuffling guys in and out,” he said.
Following his collegiate tenure as a Sooner, he spent time in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Jets.
He last graced the end zone on September 25, 2009 in a game against Cincinnati while at Oklahoma as a senior.
After suiting up in all six games this season as the team’s back-up tailback, Madu feels he has adjusted to the Canadian game.
“The biggest key to surviving in Canadian football is being in shape,” Madu said.
“This league is different. With the 20-second playclock, you have to be in shape and you have to move. When you’re not in shape you tend to go out there and make the mistakes, you’ll ease up on the hits and you’ll be tired and dogging it,” he added.
The first experience as a Canadian resident has been quite the adjustment process for the native of Norman, Oklahoma.
“I always tell people that Canadians are so nice. I really like that. But the loonies and toonies throw me off. I’m still getting used to that. Like, I’ll forget I have those in my wallet because I’m looking for dollar bills usually.”
“But at least everyone out here speaks English, it’s not like I’m stuck somewhere crazy where I can’t read the road signs,” he said with a laugh.
While the currency change is still a work in progress, Madu feels right at home with the support coming from the fans of the Ticats.
“I can tell they really do love us. Even after some games that we lose I get tweets all the time saying ‘we’re still behind you’ and ‘keep fighting, Oskee wee wee’. It’s good to have these fans.”
