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Cody Fajardo didn’t begin or end the 2019 regular season as the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ starting quarterback, but he was nonetheless the team’s most outstanding player.

And an automatic choice at that.

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Fajardo’s emergence as a star was a key reason why Saskatchewan posted a 13-5 record and earned top spot in the CFL’s West Division for the first time since 2009.

At the outset of the season, however, starting Fajardo was not the intention — as much as he proved to be the solution.

Zach Collaros was behind centre when the Roughriders opened their season June 13 against the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He lasted only three plays before being concussed, whereupon Fajardo was promoted.

Fajardo soon became a sensation, endearing himself to everyone with his winning personality while guiding Saskatchewan to 12 victories — the most by a Roughriders starting quarterback since Ron Lancaster helped the 1970 edition go 14-2.