Courtesy Regina Leader Post:

This is the dawning of the age of Adarius.

Adarius Bowman landed in Regina amid considerable fanfare, with eye-popping credentials. When Bowman was not impeded by a bothersome hamstring, his talent was evident during the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ training-camp workouts.

But how would he fare during an actual game?

The first answers were provided during the opening half of Friday’s CFL exhibition date with the B.C. Lions. The former Oklahoma State star caught a seven-yard pass from Marcus Crandell on the Riders’ opening play. Later in the first quarter, the 6-foot-4, 219-pound Bowman used his size to shield Lions defender Donte Marsh while making a nice grab for another seven-yarder.

Even so, it appeared early on that the fireworks would be reserved for Friday’s halftime show — in which the 2007 Grey Cup champions were honoured.

Cue Adarius Bowman.

With four minutes remaining in the second quarter, Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant looked deep down the right sideline. Bowman had negotiated his way behind two defenders. Durant’s spiral was tight and precise. Bowman caught the ball inside the five-yard line and lunged into the end zone for the game’s opening major.

Then and there, the attributes of Bowman were apparent to an announced crowd of 28,800 — which watched the Roughriders win 33-13 on Taylor Field.

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