Samwise CFL Newsletter
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Elks Stay Perfect at 3-0 with Late TD Heroics in Winnipeg
Quarterback Cody Fajardo directed Edmonton to a decisive late drive, finding TJ Luther on an eight-yard touchdown pass with 53 seconds remaining for a 23-18 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday. Edmonton improved to 3-0, the franchise's best start since 2017. The Elks limited Winnipeg to just 18 points, and defensive lineman Jordan Williams was later named CFL Week 4 Defensive Player of the Week by 3DownNation for his work against the Bombers. Running back Justin Rankin extended his streak to three consecutive 100-yard rushing games, the best by any CFL back this season. Winnipeg dropped to 1-2.
Sources: TSN 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Alouettes Survive Pimpleton's 94-Yard Return to Edge Redblacks 37-35
Davis Alexander threw for 345 yards and two touchdowns as the Montreal Alouettes escaped Ottawa with a 37-35 win on Sunday night. Montreal led 21-6 at halftime after limiting the Redblacks to just 76 yards of net offence in the opening two quarters, but Ottawa mounted a furious second-half rally. Jake Maier completed 71 percent of his passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns for Ottawa. Kalil Pimpleton's 94-yard kickoff return touchdown with 42 seconds remaining drew the Redblacks within two points, but Montreal held on. Receiver Tyson Philpot led all pass-catchers with 12 receptions for 198 yards. Montreal improved to 3-1; Ottawa fell to 0-3.
Sources: TSN 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Redblacks Hit 0-3 as Losing Streak Reaches 296 Days Without a Win
The Ottawa Redblacks fell to 0-3 after Sunday's 37-35 loss to Montreal, their 12th consecutive defeat to the Alouettes. According to 3DownNation, Ottawa's last win came 296 days ago, on September 5, 2025. Despite outscoring Montreal 29-16 after halftime, the Redblacks could not overcome a 21-point first-half deficit. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie's club also dealt quarterback Dru Brown to Winnipeg in the past week, receiving draft picks in return and elevating Jake Maier to the full-time starting role. Veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson was signed as a backup. Ottawa's path back into playoff contention now narrows considerably.
Sources: 3DownNation TSN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Argonauts Hand Defending Grey Cup Champs Their First Loss, 40-34
Chad Kelly threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns as the Toronto Argonauts handed the defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders their first loss of the 2026 season, 40-34, at Mosaic Stadium on Friday night. Kelly's most pivotal play came in the dying seconds of the first half, when he found Tyler Kahmann for a go-ahead touchdown with just six seconds remaining. Kahmann finished with two touchdowns on the evening. Running back Sam Hicks burst through the line for a 61-yard gain on the game's very first play from scrimmage. Saskatchewan fell to 3-1; Toronto improved to 2-1.
Sources: TSN 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Stampeders End Winless Start with 41-33 Victory Over Lions in Kelowna
The Calgary Stampeders picked up their first victory of the 2026 CFL season, downing the British Columbia Lions 41-33 in Kelowna on Saturday in a game that featured touchdowns from five different Calgary players. A Silas Bolden fumble on a kickoff return in the second quarter allowed the Stampeders to score twice in just over a minute, opening a commanding halftime lead. Tyreik McAllister added an exclamation point with a 90-yard punt return touchdown in the final frame. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke threw for 462 yards despite the loss. B.C. dropped to 0-3, while Calgary improved to 1-2.
Sources: TSN Global News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Philpot, Williams and Pimpleton Headline 3DownNation's Week 4 CFL Honours
Tyson Philpot of the Montreal Alouettes was named Week 4 Offensive Player of the Week by 3DownNation after a standout performance in Sunday's 37-35 win over Ottawa. Philpot leads all CFL receivers through four games with 36 receptions for 587 yards and three touchdowns, more than 200 yards ahead of the nearest receiver. Edmonton Elks defensive lineman Jordan Williams earned Defensive Player honours for repeatedly disrupting Winnipeg's pocket and forcing quarterback Zach Collaros to rush his throws under pressure. Ottawa's Kalil Pimpleton earned special teams recognition for his 94-yard kickoff return touchdown. The Edmonton offensive line also won Offensive Line of the Week.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Power Rankings: Roughriders Fall from Top as Elks Remain Only Unbeaten Team
Following a full slate of Week 4 games, 3DownNation published their updated power rankings on Monday, showing Saskatchewan dropping after their first loss of the 2026 season to Toronto. Edmonton remains the CFL's sole unbeaten team at 3-0 heading into Week 5. Per the rankings, Hamilton, Toronto, Saskatchewan, and Montreal all carry one-loss records, creating a tight race across both divisions. Ottawa (0-3) and BC (0-3) sit at the bottom of their respective divisions. With the CFL season barely four weeks old, the early playoff picture is beginning to take shape in both the East and West.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
CFL Bars Quarterback Brendan Sorsby Amid NCAA Gambling Scandal
The Canadian Football League confirmed this week that no team may offer a contract to Brendan Sorsby, a former Texas Tech and Cincinnati quarterback under scrutiny for NCAA gambling violations. The CFL stated that upholding league integrity and fair competition is paramount, calling the allegations against Sorsby serious and concerning. Sorsby sought treatment for a gambling addiction in April after it emerged he had placed thousands of wagers on professional and collegiate sports, including at least 40 bets on Indiana Hoosiers games during his time with that program. The NFL also declined to include him in the 2026 Supplemental Draft, citing integrity concerns, effectively leaving Sorsby without a professional path.
Sources: 3DownNation TSN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division
1. Montreal Alouettes — 6 pts (3-1-0)
2. Toronto Argonauts — 4 pts (2-1-0)
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 4 pts (2-1-0)
4. Ottawa Redblacks — 0 pts (0-3-0)
Western Conference
Western Division
1. Edmonton Elks — 6 pts (3-0-0)
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 6 pts (3-1-0)
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 2 pts (1-2-0)
4. Calgary Stampeders — 2 pts (1-2-0)
5. BC Lions — 0 pts (0-3-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency