Samwise CFL Newsletter
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Edmonton Elks hold off BC Lions 19-17 as Blanchard boots four field goals
The Edmonton Elks held off the BC Lions 19-17 at Commonwealth Stadium on Friday night, improving to 5-1 on the young CFL season. Kicker Vincent Blanchard proved the Elks’ key contributor, booting four field goals and a convert for 13 of Edmonton’s points, while quarterback Cody Fajardo threw for 282 yards and connected with T.J. Luther for the lone Elks touchdown. BC’s fortunes were immediately complicated by the second-play exit of quarterback Nathan Rourke with a left shoulder injury. Backup Chase Brice went 20-for-34 for 226 yards but threw four interceptions in his extended stint. Keon Hatcher and Zander Horvath scored touchdowns for the Lions.
Sources: Global News 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Nathan Rourke exits in first quarter with left shoulder injury, BC Lions await update
BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke suffered a left shoulder injury on the second play of Friday’s 19-17 loss to the Edmonton Elks, raising serious questions about the team’s season. Defensive end Tomari Fox delivered the sack that forced Rourke from the game, with the quarterback later seen on the sideline with his left arm apparently in a sling. Head coach Buck Pierce offered no injury timeline following the game. Backup Chase Brice threw four interceptions in his extended action for the now 1-4 Lions. The severity of the injury remains unknown. BC returns to action Saturday, July 25, hosting the Toronto Argonauts at BC Place.
Sources: 3DownNation TSN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Hamilton Tiger-Cats turn to Canadian QB Tre Ford against Toronto Argonauts
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Friday that Canadian quarterback Tre Ford will start Saturday’s Week 7 clash against the Toronto Argonauts at Tim Hortons Field. The decision follows backup Jake Dolegala’s difficult Week 6 outing, in which the veteran threw for just 122 yards and one interception in Hamilton’s 38-7 loss to Saskatchewan. The Tiger-Cats lost starter Bo Levi Mitchell to a broken ankle in Week 5, with the veteran expected to miss extended time. Ford, who came on in relief of Mitchell in that Week 5 game, brings a dual-threat presence to the Hamilton offence. Both Hamilton and Toronto enter the matchup with 2-3 records.
Sources: 3DownNation TSN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Nova Scotia Premier Houston meets with group behind $1.5-billion Halifax CFL stadium proposal
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston met Friday with representatives from Ridgehaven Holdings LLC, the group proposing a $1.5 billion stadium and entertainment complex near Halifax Stanfield International Airport. The Delaware-based company, led by Las Vegas lawyer Mason Williams and financial strategist Robert Millet, envisions a 25,000-plus-seat multi-use facility incorporating housing, medical services, retail, and hospitality. The proposal calls for fully private financing without government funding. A CFL franchise could begin play as early as 2027 at Saint Mary’s University before relocating to the completed stadium by 2030. Houston posted about the meeting on his LinkedIn account on Friday but did not share it on broader social media platforms.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Toronto Argonauts to debut punter James Burnip, return specialist Dymere Miller against Hamilton
The Toronto Argonauts will introduce two new players Saturday when they visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, with Australian punter James Burnip and American rookie Dymere Miller both set for CFL debuts. Burnip was acquired from the Ottawa Redblacks earlier this week in exchange for a conditional 2027 eighth-round CFL Draft pick. The University of Alabama product averaged 43.8 yards per punt over 55 collegiate games. Miller, who finished his collegiate career at Rutgers University with 59 catches for 757 yards and four touchdowns over 13 games, will serve as the Argonauts’ return specialist. The teams meet Saturday evening at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Cole Spieker returns for Alouettes; Elijah Hills back for Calgary in Saturday rematch
Two players return from injury when the Montreal Alouettes visit the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday at McMahon Stadium. Montreal receiver Cole Spieker is back in the lineup after missing recent games, while Calgary defensive lineman Elijah Hills returns from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for four consecutive contests. Hills dressed for the regular-season opener but has been unavailable since. The Stampeders also activate offensive lineman Tomas Jack-Kurdyla from the reserve roster. The clubs are meeting for the second consecutive week, with the Alouettes having won last Saturday’s matchup 37-30 at Percival Molson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET in Calgary.
Sources: 3DownNation 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Alouettes and Blue Bombers both seek third straight CFL win in Week 7
The Montreal Alouettes and Winnipeg Blue Bombers both enter Week 7 seeking a third consecutive victory, according to TSN. The 4-1 Alouettes face the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday in a rematch of last week’s game, while the 3-2 Blue Bombers visit the winless Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday. Quarterback Davis Alexander and receiver Tyson Philpot have led Montreal’s recent run, with Philpot catching nine passes for 132 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 37-30 win over Calgary. In Winnipeg, Dru Brown completed 25-of-31 passes for 339 yards and a touchdown last week in place of injured starter Zach Collaros, then faces his former Ottawa club on Sunday.
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division
1. Montreal Alouettes — 8 pts (4-1-0)
2. Toronto Argonauts — 4 pts (2-3-0)
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 4 pts (2-3-0)
4. Ottawa Redblacks — 0 pts (0-5-0)
Western Conference
Western Division
1. Edmonton Elks — 10 pts (5-1-0)
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 8 pts (4-1-0)
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 6 pts (3-2-0)
4. Calgary Stampeders — 4 pts (2-3-0)
5. BC Lions — 2 pts (1-4-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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