'It was like NBA Jam and I was on fire,' Duron Carter says after impressive Saturday game

Three days after their victory over the Argonauts, the Saskatchewan Roughriders returned to practice on Tuesday, and Duron Carter was still very much the centre of attention.

Carter's stats alone on Saturday were impressive — nine catches, 131 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Riders to a 38-27 victory.

Receptions are not awarded style points, but if they were, Carter's performance would be off the charts.

"The only way I could describe it is, just like NBA Jam and I was on fire," Carter said after practice, referring to the popular video game series.

His touchdown late in the first half blew up Twitter as fans, media and players debated whether it was the greatest catch ever in a football game.

And how has the 26-year-old receiver handled all the attention?

"Oh, just the same old stuff — you know, playing video games, cooking some food. Nothing's changed." 

But he did check his phone every now and then, just to "poke and prod a little bit," as he described it.

"I had to hold back sometimes. I see people getting into arguments on which catch was better. It's crazy."

The only person it seems not overly excited about the catch was Duron's dad, Cris Carter, the NFL Hall of Famer.

"Nah, he sort of kind of expected it. He was just, like, 'finally,'" Duron Carter said.

Which was likely more of a reference to Duron's season — which up until Saturday was flying under the radar.

But the junior Carter also grabbed story lines for what he did with the ball after the catch — giving it to 12-year-old Paige Hansen, a cancer survivor.

"I kind of have my own backstory with them from camp," Carter said on his relationship with the Hansen family.

"They've always been around and they're so jolly and so happy, they remind me of me," he said.

"They always sit right there in front and I told them if I scored in this end zone that I would give them the ball. I consider them great friends. She's an amazing little girl."

Next up for the Riders

The 2-3 Riders are preparing to face the 4-2 Lions in Vancouver on Saturday and will play the game without kicker Tyler Crapigna.

"He's out," stated head coach Chris Jones.

Crapigna, who has been good on all but two of his 15 field goal attempts this year, suffered "a pull" against the Argos.

Crapigna will be replaced by Quinn Van Gylswyk.

Chad Owens also made his first practice appearance of the season.

The CFL's outstanding player of the year in 2012 was a free-agent signing by the Riders last winter, but the receiver/returner aggravated a foot injury in training camp and was placed on the six-game injured list.

Jones hinted Owens could be ready to play in the game after their bye week, which will be on Aug. 25 in Edmonton against the Eskimos.

"I feel pretty good today," said Owens.

"I say it was a win for first day back for me. I'm going to take that and build on it."