Brett Lauther has been one of the surprises of the season so far for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Coming into this season, the 27-year-old kicker hadn’t kicked a regular season field goal since 2013 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but he’s been lights out for the Green and White so far this season.

“The last four years were tough, so this year I’ve really got a chip on my shoulder from a lot of coaches, GMs in different places where I didn’t feel like I was treated right,” said Lauther.

Lauther sat on Saskatchewan, Edmonton and Toronto’s practice squads over the past four seasons just waiting for his chance to shine and that opportunity came this season when Riders veteran kicker Tyler Crapigna was sidelined for the season with an injury.

Lauther has gone 19-for-21 on field goal attempts through seven games this season, which includes a 5-for-5 game two weeks ago that saw him hit a season-long 56-yard field goal.

“I’m trying to hit everything that I’m asked to do and actually kick from distances that pro kickers should be kicking from in this league,” said Lauther.

“The last four years when I was trying to get on a team and couldn’t even get an invite to camp, I was kicking from 60-65 yards and making them.”

Head coach Chris Jones says he’s happy to see Lauther having the success that he is, “He’s worked hard and he deserves all the credit that he’s getting because he’s certainly a good young man,” he said.

The Riders are in the middle of their second bye week of the season. They return to the field on Aug. 19 to host the Calgary Stampeders.