Samwise CFL Newsletter
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Vernon Adams Jr. Leads BC Lions to First Win of 2026 Season in Kelowna Home Opener
Vernon Adams Jr. completed 17 of 29 passes for 277 yards, threw two touchdown passes and added a rushing major to lead the BC Lions to a 26-17 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna. The Lions, displaced from BC Place by the FIFA World Cup, picked up their first win of the 2026 CFL season after opening the year 0-2. Calgary quarterback Jake Maier went 26 of 33 for 339 yards and two touchdowns but threw an interception, and the BC defence sacked him four times. The sellout crowd marked a successful launch for the Lions' temporary Kelowna home.
Sources: TSN Global News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Chad Kelly Throws for 300-Plus Yards as Argonauts Defeat Saskatchewan Roughriders 40-34
Chad Kelly threw for more than 300 yards and led the Toronto Argonauts to a 40-34 road victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium in Regina before 25,035 fans. Kelly connected with Tyler Kahmann on a 21-yard touchdown pass with 4:27 remaining in the fourth quarter to seal the result. Toronto scored 17 consecutive points to build a 30-17 advantage before Saskatchewan drew within striking distance. The Argonauts also executed a two-play, 24-second touchdown drive at the end of the first half to take control. Both teams share identical 2-1 records heading into the week.
Sources: TSN 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Cody Fajardo Finds TJ Luther in Final Minute to Keep Edmonton Elks Perfect at 3-0
Quarterback Cody Fajardo marched the Edmonton Elks down the field in the closing minutes and connected with TJ Luther on an eight-yard touchdown pass with under a minute remaining to beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-18 on Thursday at Princess Auto Stadium. Fajardo completed 23 of 35 passes for 267 yards and one touchdown, while running back Justin Rankin rushed for 106 yards on 18 carries. Winnipeg had rallied from a 17-0 deficit to take its first lead in the fourth quarter before Fajardo's decisive drive. Edmonton improves to 3-0, their best start to a CFL season since 2017.
Sources: 3DownNation Global News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
BC Lions Place Receiver Jevon Cottoy on Six-Game Injured List
The BC Lions placed wide receiver Jevon Cottoy on the six-game injured list on Saturday, the team announced. Cottoy, who has spent his entire 95-game CFL career in British Columbia, has caught 277 passes for 3,396 yards and 17 touchdowns over that span. The Lions' receiving corps has been significantly depleted by injuries early in the 2026 season. Cottoy, Stanley Berryhill and Seven McGee have all been sidelined, putting pressure on younger and less experienced pass-catchers to step up as BC tries to establish itself in Kelowna during the FIFA World Cup period. Rookie Nick Cenacle has been called upon to contribute.
Folarin Orimolade Makes 2026 Season Debut for Calgary Stampeders in Kelowna
Pass rusher Folarin Orimolade made his return to the Calgary Stampeders' lineup on Saturday in Kelowna, making his first appearance of the 2026 CFL season after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in September. Orimolade had returned to practice in Week 1 but was held out as a precaution while the team monitored his health. Orimolade's reinstatement came at the expense of rookie Tre'Mon Morris-Brash, who was released. The Stampeders also activated Dolani Robinson off the practice roster to start at field corner and added rookie Zy Alexander at boundary halfback for his CFL debut.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Tyson Philpot Leads Early Most Outstanding Canadian Contenders After Four CFL Weeks
Tyson Philpot has emerged as the early frontrunner for the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian award, entering Week 4 as the league leader in catches, targets and receiving yards. Montreal Alouettes linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku has also drawn recognition after stepping into a larger role in 2026. Ottawa Redblacks kicker Brett Lauther, who has converted all seven of his field goal attempts this season, earned a spot among the early candidates. Saskatchewan's Kian Schaffer-Baker holds an edge over teammate Samuel Emilus among Canadian pass-catchers. Hamilton's Kiondre Smith and BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke have also been cited as players to watch throughout the season.
Roughriders Fall to 2-1 After Costly Penalties and Blown Leads Sink Regina
The Saskatchewan Roughriders dropped to 2-1 with their 40-34 home loss to the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night, a defeat that 3DownNation attributed to a combination of costly penalties, poor situational decisions and a failure to protect a lead. After leading by seven at halftime, Saskatchewan allowed 17 consecutive Toronto points before the defence tightened too late. The Roughriders came into the game as four-and-a-half-point favourites at Mosaic Stadium. Saskatchewan had been one of the CFL's strongest teams through three weeks, winning both a Week 1 road game and a dramatic Week 3 overtime victory over the host Calgary Stampeders.
Sources: 3DownNation TSN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division
1. Montreal Alouettes — 4 pts (2-1-0)
2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 4 pts (2-1-0)
3. Toronto Argonauts — 4 pts (2-1-0)
4. Ottawa Redblacks — 0 pts (0-2-0)
Ottawa at Montreal (Sun. June 28) not yet played
Western Conference
Western Division
1. Edmonton Elks — 6 pts (3-0-0)
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 4 pts (2-1-0)
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 2 pts (1-2-0)
4. BC Lions — 2 pts (1-2-0)
5. Calgary Stampeders — 0 pts (0-3-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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