Samwise CFL Newsletter
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Edmonton Elks Down Ottawa REDBLACKS 29-21 as Justin Rankin Posts 196-Yard Opener
Running back Justin Rankin posted 196 all-purpose yards and scored a 61-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run as the Edmonton Elks defeated the Ottawa REDBLACKS 29-21 on Saturday to close out CFL Week 1. Rankin also converted a 63-yard check-down reception in the third quarter that led directly to a Vincent Blanchard field goal. Blanchard went five-for-five on attempts despite wet, windy conditions in Ottawa. Edmonton registered four takeaways while committing zero turnovers; Ottawa turned the ball over on three consecutive first-half possessions. Quarterback Cody Fajardo finished with 266 passing yards and a touchdown, securing career regular-season win number 50.
Sources: CFL.ca, 3DownNation
Castillo’s Walk-Off Field Goal Gives Winnipeg a 30-28 Win Over Calgary
Sergio Castillo’s 38-yard walk-off field goal as time expired gave the Winnipeg Blue Bombers a 30-28 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Friday night at McMahon Stadium. Brady Oliveira rushed for 113 yards while new Bomber Tim White scored on a 15-yard Zach Collaros strike in the third quarter. Vernon Adams Jr. engineered a 104-yard Stampeders drive from Calgary’s own two-yard line to put his team ahead by one with under a minute remaining, but Collaros immediately connected with Ontaria Wilson for 27 yards to put Castillo in range for the winner. Dedrick Mills added 112 rushing yards for Calgary.
Sources: CFL.ca, 3DownNation
Calgary’s René Paredes Placed on Six-Game IL, Ending 247-Game Consecutive Streak
Calgary Stampeders kicker René Paredes was placed on the six-game injured list before Friday’s season opener, ending his run of 247 consecutive CFL appearances dating to Week 2 of the 2011 season. Rookie Jude McAtamney, Calgary’s first-round Global Draft selection and a player with five NFL games of experience with the New York Giants, handled placekicking in his absence. McAtamney converted every extra point but missed a 45-yard third-quarter attempt that proved costly in a two-point defeat. The Stampeders have not confirmed the injury or a timeline for Paredes’ return. McAtamney was brought in specifically as the contingency for this role.
Sources: 3DownNation
B.C. Lions GM Reveals How Jon Gruden’s Viral Unboxing Video Netted 854,000 Views
B.C. Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden revealed Friday how a cold text message produced one of the CFL’s most-shared marketing moments in recent memory. Rigmaiden cold-called former Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden, now with Barstool Sports, through a mutual contact and shipped Lions merchandise to him around CFL Draft time. Gruden’s resulting seven-minute unboxing video, posted May 28, has accumulated more than 854,000 combined views across social platforms, including 388,000 on X and 223,000 on Instagram. Gruden discussed current players such as Nathan Rourke and historical Lions figures including Geroy Simon and Willie Fleming. The Lions open their 2026 regular season June 13 at Saskatchewan.
Sources: 3DownNation
Edmonton Elks Open 2026 Season 1-0 for First Time Since 2019
The Edmonton Elks open the 2026 CFL season 1-0 for the first time since 2019, and 3DownNation’s Andrew Hoskins flags several positives from Saturday’s 29-21 road win in Ottawa. Defensive coordinator JC Sherritt’s unit produced four takeaways, with linebacker Nick Anderson registering eight tackles despite briefly leaving the game. Offensively, a rebuilt O-line featuring Hamilton off-season acquisitions gave Rankin space to accumulate over 100 rushing yards. Kicker Vincent Blanchard went five-for-five in the rain with a 68-yard kickoff average. Head coach Mark Kilam had made starting better the team’s primary off-season mantra, and Edmonton delivered on that directive with a clean second half.
Sources: 3DownNation
Cody Fajardo Records Career Win 50, Stands 10-1 All-Time Against Ottawa
Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo recorded career regular-season win number 50 on Saturday, improving to 10-1 all-time against the Ottawa REDBLACKS in the process. Fajardo finished the 29-21 victory in Ottawa with 266 passing yards and a touchdown, also contributing 11 rushing yards. The performance extended an already-dominant record against one opponent and brought a personal milestone to a player who has spent much of his career being underestimated. Edmonton’s first season-opening victory since 2019 also gave Fajardo his first-ever 1-0 regular-season start with the club. The Elks now head into a Week 2 bye before their home opener June 20 against the Montreal Alouettes at Commonwealth Stadium.
Sources: CFL.ca
CFL Week 1 Complete: Bombers and Elks Lead West; Alouettes Top East
Three games into the 2026 CFL season, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Edmonton Elks share the top of the West Division at 1-0 after narrow opening-week victories, while the Calgary Stampeders sit 0-1 after Friday’s walk-off loss. The Saskatchewan Roughriders and B.C. Lions have yet to play, opening their seasons in Week 2. In the East, the Montreal Alouettes lead at 1-0 following their overtime win over Hamilton on Thursday, while Ottawa and Hamilton both sit 0-1. Toronto received a Week 1 bye. The Roughriders, defending Grey Cup champions, open their title defence on Saturday, June 13 at home against the B.C. Lions.
Sources: CFL.ca Standings
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division
1. Montreal — 2 pts (1-0-0)
2. Toronto — 0 pts (0-0-0)
3. Ottawa — 0 pts (0-1-0)
4. Hamilton — 0 pts (0-1-0)
Western Conference
Western Division
1. Winnipeg — 2 pts (1-0-0)
2. Edmonton — 2 pts (1-0-0)
3. BC — 0 pts (0-0-0)
4. Saskatchewan — 0 pts (0-0-0)
5. Calgary — 0 pts (0-1-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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