Samwise CFL Newsletter
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Hamilton Tiger-Cats Dismantle BC Lions 41-27 Behind Bo Levi Mitchell’s Five-Touchdown Night
Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell completed 15 of 18 passes for 285 yards and five touchdown passes as the Tiger-Cats dominated the BC Lions 41-27 on Friday night at Tim Hortons Field. Hamilton’s offensive line did not allow a sack, winning its second consecutive unit award from 3DownNation. BC entered the game with multiple wide receivers on the injury report, including Jevon Cottoy, Stanley Berryhill, and Seven McGee, all listed out. The victory moved Hamilton to 2-1 on the season, while the Lions fell to 0-3. Defensive back Stavros Katsantonis made a diving interception for the Tiger-Cats.
Sources: 3DownNation
Saskatchewan Roughriders Survive Stampeders Comeback in Wild 40-37 Overtime Win
The Saskatchewan Roughriders survived a dramatic late rally to edge the Calgary Stampeders 40-37 in overtime on Saturday, with winds gusting over 50 km/h keeping both kickers honest throughout. Backup quarterback Tommy Stevens scored his second short-yardage touchdown of the night in overtime to seal the win. Calgary forced overtime when Vernon Adams Jr. connected with Tevin Jones in the end zone in the final minute of regulation. Kian Schaffer-Baker hauled in two touchdown passes for Saskatchewan. Earlier, Calgary returner Tyreik McAllister returned a missed 47-yard Saskatchewan field goal attempt 120 yards for a touchdown before halftime.
Sources: 3DownNation (Awards), 3DownNation
Edmonton Elks Rally Past Montreal Alouettes 32-29 in Overtime on Rankin’s Heroics
The Edmonton Elks rallied from a large deficit to defeat the Montreal Alouettes 32-29 in overtime on a rainy Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium, moving to 2-0 on the young season. Running back Justin Rankin was the catalyst, accumulating 232 offensive yards on 17 carries and five receptions over the final three quarters alone. Quarterback Cody Fajardo carried in the winning score himself in overtime. The win also snapped quarterback Davis Alexander’s unbeaten streak with Montreal. A fumble ruling in overtime favoured Edmonton after replay officials declined to overturn the call, preserving the Elks’ victory.
Sources: 3DownNation, 3DownNation
Ottawa Redblacks Release Max Duggan, Sign Nicholas Vattiato in Quarterback Shakeup
The Ottawa Redblacks released American quarterback Max Duggan on June 22 and signed Nicholas Vattiato in a depth-chart shakeup at the position. Duggan, 25, appeared in Ottawa’s first two regular-season games after joining the team in May following his release by the Toronto Argonauts, throwing two incomplete passes and rushing twice for minus-one yard. His replacement, Vattiato, is a product of Middle Tennessee State University who spent his entire collegiate career with the Blue Raiders, completing 64.7 percent of his passes for 9,674 yards, 62 touchdowns, and 37 interceptions. Vattiato was the longest-tenured player on Ottawa’s negotiation list.
Sources: 3DownNation
All-CFL Linebacker Nick Anderson Misses Practice with Edmonton Elks
Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson missed practice on Monday, according to the team’s June 22 injury report. The 26-year-old started both of Edmonton’s regular-season games at middle linebacker this season, recording 12 defensive tackles and one special teams tackle. Anderson is joined on the Elks’ injury list by American receiver Joe Robustelli (hamstring), American defensive lineman Tomari Fox (elbow), and Canadian long snapper Luke Burton-Krahn (Achilles). Anderson’s absence is a concern for Edmonton, which hosts the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday night. The team did not disclose the nature of his injury.
Sources: 3DownNation
Preseason Favourites BC Lions Plummet to 0-3, Drop Sharply in Power Rankings
The BC Lions, described as many observers’ preseason favourite entering 2026, have dropped to 0-3 and plummeted in this week’s 3DownNation power rankings following a string of lopsided defeats. In Friday’s 41-27 loss to Hamilton, quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell torched BC’s defence for 285 yards and five touchdown passes. The Lions have allowed 72 points across two away games this season. Meanwhile, Hamilton, Edmonton, and Saskatchewan rose to the top of the rankings after meeting or exceeding preseason expectations. The Elks and Roughriders each opened 2-0 following their overtime victories on Saturday.
Sources: 3DownNation
Blue Bombers Eye Justin Rankin as Elks Bring 2-0 Record into Thursday Night Showdown
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are well aware of Edmonton Elks running back Justin Rankin ahead of Thursday’s home matchup at Princess Auto Stadium. Head coach Mike O’Shea praised Rankin as one of the best players in the CFL, noting his ability to make tacklers miss and his dual-threat capability as both a rusher and receiver out of the backfield. Rankin has accumulated 281 rushing yards and 145 receiving yards through two games, putting him on pace for what would be an unprecedented dual-1,000-yard season. The Elks enter Thursday at 2-0 while Winnipeg is 1-1.
Sources: 3DownNation
Week 3 CFL Awards: Mitchell Takes Offensive Honour, McAllister Earns Special Teams Nod
The Week 3 CFL awards from 3DownNation highlighted Calgary Stampeders returner Tyreik McAllister, who earned special teams honours after returning a missed 47-yard Saskatchewan field goal attempt 120 yards for a touchdown before halftime in Saturday’s overtime loss. Hamilton’s Stavros Katsantonis earned defensive honours for a diving interception. The Tiger-Cats’ offensive line won its second consecutive unit award, not allowing a sack in Friday’s win over BC. Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell took top offensive honours for his five-touchdown, 285-yard performance. Honourable mentions went to Toronto Argonauts linebacker Cameron Judge on defence and Saskatchewan’s Kian Schaffer-Baker on offence.
Sources: 3DownNation
Western Conference
West Division
1. Saskatchewan — 4 pts (2-0-0)
2. Edmonton — 4 pts (2-0-0)
3. Winnipeg — 2 pts (1-1-0)
4. Calgary — 0 pts (0-2-0)
5. BC Lions — 0 pts (0-3-0)
Eastern Conference
East Division
1. Montreal — 4 pts (2-1-0)
2. Hamilton — 4 pts (2-1-0)
3. Ottawa — 0 pts (0-1-0)
4. Toronto — 0 pts (0-1-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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