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Huskies kicker lands spot with Tiger-Cats – Metro US

Huskies kicker lands spot with Tiger-Cats

Justin Palardy is abandoning his chase for Canadian Interuniversity Sport history.

After four years as the Saint Mary’s Huskies’ starting punter and place-kicker, Palardy found out yesterday he has cracked the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ season-opening Canadian Football League roster as a punter.

Palardy set AUS records for scoring (320) and field goals (65) during his all-star career and was just 90 points away from catching Jesse Lumsden’s scoring record and five field goals from Frank Jagas’ mark.

“It’s always been on my mind, the chance to go into the record books forever,” said the Murray Siding, Colchester Co., native. “But from Day 1 at Saint Mary’s, my mind was set on getting to the CFL, and that’s what I’ve achieved.”

Palardy, who appeared in both of Hamilton’s pre-season games, is scheduled to start on Friday, July 2, when the Ticats visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He’s eager for the challenge.

“It’s starting from Stage 1 again,” he said. “It’s getting after it again, getting better each day. I’m setting new goals and I’ll continue to try to achieve them.”

Palardy was selected in the fifth round (36th overall) by the Ticats in last month’s CFL draft and was thought to be a better fit for a team seeking a place kicker. But the Ticats will use him solely as a punter, at least for now.

“It’s fun and I’m getting better each day,” he said.

Huskies head coach Steve Sumarah called it “fantastic,” describing Palardy as “an exceptional guy and an incredible teammate.”

Rodrigo Davalos, Brett Lauther and Carl Jung are among those who will vie for Palardy’s jobs at Saint Mary’s in the fall.

Other ex-Huskies

• Safety Saleem Borhot has been nursing a hamstring injury but is expected to be on the Edmonton Eskimos’ active roster on CFL opening day.

• Huskies offensive lineman Adam Baboulas, meanwhile, appears poised to take a practice-roster spot with the B.C. Lions.