Samwise CFL Newsletter
Friday, July 24, 2026
Blanchard’s 57-yard walk-off field goal lifts Edmonton Elks past Saskatchewan Roughriders 36-34
Kicker Vincent Blanchard converted a 57-yard field goal as the clock expired Thursday night, lifting the Edmonton Elks to a 36-34 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. The two teams combined for 974 yards of net offence and eight passing touchdown passes in a game decided on the final play. Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo set a career high with 510 passing yards, connecting frequently with Austin Mack and TJ Luther, each of whom surpassed 150 receiving yards. The win improved the Elks to 6-1 on the season, moving them into sole first place in the West Division.
Sources: Global News 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Roughriders honour fallen captain Jayden Dalke with emotional tribute at Mosaic Stadium
The Saskatchewan Roughriders paid tribute to team captain and linebacker Jayden Dalke during Thursday night’s home game against the Edmonton Elks at Mosaic Stadium — the club’s first home contest since Dalke and Regina resident Bhishma Rajyaguru both died in a car crash days earlier. Players wore Dalke’s initials on their helmets and honoured him during the team’s first punt of the game. Rajyaguru was also recognized in a pre-game ceremony. The CFL community mourned Dalke’s passing widely; the Blue Bombers and Redblacks held a moment of silence during their mid-week game in Ottawa. Teammates described him as a relentless competitor whose determination inspired everyone around him.
Cody Fajardo sets career-high 510 passing yards in Edmonton’s road win at Saskatchewan
Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo delivered the finest passing performance of his CFL career Thursday night, throwing for 510 yards against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium — the first time he has exceeded 500 passing yards in a single CFL game. Wide receivers Austin Mack and TJ Luther each surpassed 150 receiving yards as Fajardo’s primary targets, combining to account for the bulk of Edmonton’s aerial attack. Fajardo and Roughriders counterpart Trevor Harris together accounted for 896 passing yards and eight touchdown passes between them, turning the game into one of the CFL season’s most explosive offensive showdowns to date.
CFL levies seven fines from Weeks 6 and 7, including blindside blocks and illegal hits
The CFL Department of Health, Safety and Integrity levied seven fines Thursday covering actions in Weeks 6 and 7 of the 2026 season. Five players were sanctioned for Week 7 conduct, including Edmonton linebacker Jadon Pearson for a blindside block on BC fullback Riley Pickett, Montreal defensive lineman Kylan Guidry for a high hit on Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., Montreal defensive back Lorenzo Burns for a dangerous tackle on Calgary receiver Clark Barnes, and Toronto linebacker Jalen Rayam for a blindside block on Hamilton fullback Daniel Bell. Two additional Week 6 fines were also levied as part of the same announcement.
Edmonton Elks move into sole West Division lead at 6-1 as Week 8 continues through weekend
The Edmonton Elks moved into sole first place in the CFL West Division on Thursday, improving to 6-1 after their 36-34 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina. The two clubs had shared the divisional lead entering the game, each with just one loss, but the Elks’ walk-off win separated them from Saskatchewan in the standings. The West Division race remains unsettled, with three additional Week 8 matchups scheduled through the weekend: the Calgary Stampeders visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night, the Toronto Argonauts face the BC Lions on Saturday, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats meet the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday.
Sources: TSN 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Week 8 preview: Stampeders at Bombers headlines three remaining CFL games this weekend
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Calgary Stampeders on Friday night in the most anticipated of Week 8’s three remaining matchups. Winnipeg enters with Dru Brown starting at quarterback, as Zach Collaros remains on the six-game injured list. Calgary’s Vernon Adams Jr. leads the league with 17 touchdown passes and zero interceptions this season, though the Stampeders were recently swept in a home-and-home series against Montreal. The Argonauts visit the BC Lions on Saturday, with BC continuing to manage Nathan Rourke’s shoulder injury. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats meet the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday to close out Week 8 action.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
CFL Week 7 stats: tight games, a 2.44-to-1 TD-to-interception ratio, and Oliveira nears milestone
The CFL’s Week 7 games were each decided by a margin of six points or fewer, with an average margin of just three points, according to league statistics compiled ahead of Week 8. Through the first seven weeks, quarterbacks leaguewide have thrown 100 touchdown passes against only 41 interceptions — a 2.44-to-one ratio — and 77 per cent of games have been decided by a single score. The league-wide efficiency rating stands at 106.9. Winnipeg running back Brady Oliveira needs 97 rushing yards to become the fifth Canadian to reach 6,000 career CFL rushing yards, joining Andrew Harris, Norm Kwong, Jon Cornish and Sean Millington.
Western Conference
Western Division — through Thu. Jul. 24
1. Edmonton Elks — 12 pts (6-1-0)
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 10 pts (5-2-0)
3–5. Winnipeg / Calgary / BC — games Fri–Sun
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division — through Week 7
1. Montreal Alouettes — est. 10 pts (5-1-0)
2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — est. 6 pts (3-3-0)
3. Toronto Argonauts — est. 4 pts (2-4-0)
4. Ottawa Redblacks — est. 0 pts (0-6-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency