CFL Week 9: Cream Rising To The Top
All Access Football previews CFL Week 9 action with the latest news and notes from around the league.
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As the CFL approaches August, the contenders have begun to separate themselves from the pretenders. Edmonton’s Week 8 victory over Saskatchewan has anointed them a legitimate Grey Cup candidate, while Montreal maintains their rein in the East. For organizations such as Ottawa and BC, it’s getting late, early.
All Access football examines the CFL Week 9 matchups below, along with the latest news and notes for each team. For broadcast viewing options, click here.
7/30 Thur. — BC (1-5) at Winnipeg (4-3) | 8:30p ET | Line: WPG -6 (54.5)
Both teams enter this contest looking to rebound off a loss from last weekend. Winnipeg running back Brady Oliveira made history in Week 8, becoming just the fifth Canadian running back to eclipse 6,000 career rushing yards in CFL history.
The Blue Bombers Zach Collaros (neck) has not played since Week 6 and it’s still uncertain how long he will remain out. Backup quarterback Dru Brown is 1-1 as a starter thus far filling in for his absence and will get the go once again in Week 9.
The Lions are down to their third starting quarterback. With Nathan Rourke (shoulder) still nursing an injury, backup Chase Brice has been uninspiring in recent weeks filling-in. In fact, he was benched in favor of Kaidon Salter, who provided flashes in mop-up duty against the Argonauts. The former Colorado signal-caller is expected to get the nod this week, according to TSN.
BC also announced the signing of defensive lineman Lorenzo Mauldin IV earlier this week. A two-time All-CFL defensive lineman and East Division All-CFL selection (2022, 2024), Mauldin collected CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2022 after leading the league with 17 sacks.
7/31 Fri. — Montreal (6-1) at Ottawa (0-6) | 7:30p ET | Line: MTL -7 (60.5)
The emergence of running back Travis Theis, a true thumper, has elevated the Alouettes offense to new heights. This past weekend, Theis ran the ball nine times, for 156 yards and a touchdown, with 61 yards gained after contact, according to PFF.
Montreal chef Davis Alexander continues to cook and leads the CFL with 2,368 passing yards, which puts him on pace for 6089 yards on the season. Most impressive has been his ability to play turnover-free football, tossing 11 touchdown passes, to just one interception.
The REDBLACKS come off their second bye week of the season in search of their first win of the year. While much of the blame has been pinned on quarterback Jake Maeir, this is a talent-deprived roster, which clearly did not benefit from the offseason overhaul. It might be time for general manager/head coach Ryan Dinwiddie to go back to the drawing board.
In a minor move made this week, Ottawa traded a 2027 eighth round draft pick to Hamilton, in exchange for tight end Jevoni Robinson. With 14 career CFL receptions, for 214 yards and two scores, Robinson has yet to suit up this season. The REDBLACKS have not had a winning campaign since 2018, a trend that will inevitably continue.
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8/01 Sat. — Calgary (3-4) at Hamilton (3-4) | 3:00p ET | Line: CGY -5.5 (60.5)
The Stampeders appear to be a a wildcard contender that no team will want to face come playoff time. A high-octane offense led by quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is capable running with anyone and can post a 50-burger on any given week.
For Adams Jr., he established a new CFL record with 21 consecutive touchdown passes without an interception this past weekend, passing his head coach, Dave Dickenson, who had 20 in 2000.
Meanwhile, Calgary running back Tyreik McAllistar became the first player in CFL history to score three different touchdowns (rushing, receiving, returning) in the same half during their 52-30 win over Winnipeg, including a 118-yard return on a missed field goal attempt.
Hamilton enters this matchup seeking to establish their playoff seeding, as the winner will climb to .500. The Tiger-Cats kept it close with the Alouettes on Sunday night but crumbled in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Tre Ford was held in check for most part of the game and had just three rushing attempts, limiting his dual-threat capability.
8/01 Sat. — Saskatchewan (4-2) at Edmonton (6-1) | 7:00p ET | Line: EDM -1.5 (60.5)
The ‘Showdown in Saskatchewan’ lived up to the billing, as Edmonton kicker Vincent Blanchard nailed a 57-yard walk-off field goal as time expired, giving the Elks a 36-34 victory over the Roughriders.
Quarterback Cody Fajardo threw for 510 yards, with four passing touchdowns and had a 158.3 passer rating. All three were career-highs. The 34-year old Fajardo, who has played for more than half of the CFL franchises throughout his 11-year career (two Grey Cup championships), now finds himself amongst the top candidates for the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) Award.
Saskatchewan seeks revenge this week, as they travel to Alberta for the second part of the home-and-home series. Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris had 386 passing yards and four touchdowns (one interception) in a losing effort in Week 8.
Looking ahead to Week 10, the Roughriders will head back home to host the REDBLACKS, while the Elks visit Montreal in what could be a Grey Cup preview.
Bye Week: Toronto (3-4) | Next Up: vs Calgary (3-4)
The Argonauts kept their playoff hopes alive with a decisive 26-12 victory over the Lions but it came at a cost. Starting quarterback Chad Kelly suffered a neck injury, which is expected to keep him out for several weeks. He is scheduled to undergo more test to determine a timeline for his return.
In the interim, 2024 Grey Cup MVP Nick Arbuckle will hold the fort until Kelly returns. Last season, Arbuckle threw for 4,370 yards and 26 touchdowns (15 interceptions) filling in for Kelly, establishing himself as the premier backup quarterback in the CFL. Toronto will now look to stay alive in the hunt until Kelly returns.