Keith Price had been waiting for his time to shine and the quarterback took full advantage of it last Saturday.

Price threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Naaman Roosevelt on his first CFL pass during Saturday's 35-24 loss by the Saskatchewan Roughriders to the Edmonton Eskimos.

After spending much of the past two seasons either on the practice roster or as the team's third string quarterback, the moment was pretty special for Price.

“I kind of wanted to shed a tear for a minute because I was so excited,” said Price. “How cool of an opportunity this is, not only for me, but for the entire team, just taking advantage of every opportunity that we all get, that's what I'm trying to do.”

Price joined the Riders in September last season, but the team released him over the offseason before he rejoined the squad in July of this year.

It's been a long road for Price before he got into a professional game after four stellar years at the University of Washington, that coincidentally started with him throwing a touchdown pass on his first play for the Huskies.

“(Getting to play) was awesome, it was big for me and my family, they watched it on ESPN 3 and they had a big party when I got in the game,” he said. “It's been a long time coming and it's been a couple of years since I've been able to step on the field, so it felt good to actually get in there, stand in the pocket and take some hits.”

Price ended up going 7-of-9 for 84 yards and a touchdown as he split time at quarterback with fellow rookie Brett Smith for the Riders, who are playing out their tumultuous 2-14 season.

There is always a learning for young American quarterbacks coming into the Canadian game and Price has been no different.

“Last year, I was like goodness, there's like a million people on the field, but (the 12th player) it doesn't bother me at all now, we have an extra receiver,” he said.

“I thought (last Saturday) went well, I missed one or two reads where I ended up checking the ball down instead of making a couple of reads,” Price added. “I'm going to have to be better with my eyes this week and keep playing the type of football that I'm capable of playing.”

Without trying to sound cliche, Price added that he's been preparing like he's the starter since the day he arrived in Regina and he feels that's what helped him step in and put together a strong debut.

“I prepare myself every day and night for just in case things happen,” he said. “I don't wish injury or anything on anybody, but I just want to make sure that I'm ready to play and I don't look like a fool when I'm on the field.”

Another Washington Husky star quarterback got his start in Canada and there's a pretty special connection between Warren Moon and Price.

“I've known Warren a long time, he actually funded my scholarship at the University of Washington, he paid for all five years that I was there,” said Price. “Warren told me his deal with the CFL and all the trials and tribulations that he went through.

“At first he didn't want to come, but he understood that this was what was going to need to happen in order for him to actually achieve his goal, and obviously he tore it up here and also went onto the NFL and had a marvellous career, so you hear stories like that and think why not me.”

Price will get another chance to shine this Saturday when the Roughriders head into Calgary to take on the Stampeders. Kick-off is at 1:00pm.