Samwise CFL Newsletter
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Roughriders to Honour Crash Victim Bhishma Rajyaguru at Mosaic Stadium on Thursday
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will hold a pre-game tribute for 22-year-old Regina resident Bhishma Rajyaguru on Thursday at Mosaic Stadium. Rajyaguru was killed on July 18 when a two-vehicle crash on Highway 11 near Lumsden, Saskatchewan claimed both his life and that of team captain Jayden Dalke. RCMP determined Dalke’s silver SUV was travelling northbound in the southbound lane at the time of impact; officers found alcohol and cannabis in his vehicle, with autopsies and toxicology pending. In a statement, the club described Rajyaguru as “a caring friend, a devoted son, and a gifted percussionist.” His loved ones have launched a GoFundMe to bring him home to India.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Rourke Avoids Surgery, Out Weeks Not Months; B.C. Lions Sign Tyrie Adams
B.C. Lions GM Ryan Rigmaiden confirmed Tuesday that reigning MOP Nathan Rourke will not require surgery after suffering a left-shoulder injury in the Week 7 loss to Edmonton. “It’s going to be weeks rather than months,” Rigmaiden said. The 28-year-old was hurt on the second play of the game and left the field with his arm in a sling. Chase Brice takes over as starter after going 20-of-34 for 226 yards in relief. Veteran quarterback Tyrie Adams, 29, formerly of Ottawa, has been signed as the third-stringer. Rourke had completed 71.3 per cent of his passes for 1,403 yards and five touchdowns in four starts.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Davis Alexander Passes for 2,181 Yards, Zero Interceptions Through One-Third Mark
Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander has been nearly flawless through the first third of the 2026 CFL season, throwing for 2,181 yards and 11 touchdowns without a single interception in six games. At this pace, he projects to 6,543 passing yards, putting Doug Flutie’s all-time single-season record of 6,619 within reach. Montreal leads the East at 5-1. In Hamilton, Tre Ford impressed in his CFL debut as starter, directing the Tiger-Cats to a 24-23 victory over Toronto; Argonauts kicker Lirim Hajrullahu missed a potential walk-off field goal in the closing moments.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Week 7 Results: Montreal Holds Top Spot as Edmonton-Saskatchewan West Showdown Looms
The Montreal Alouettes (5-1) lead the CFL following a 38-32 Week 7 win over Calgary. Edmonton (5-1) climbed to second with a 19-17 victory over B.C., setting up Thursday’s West first-place clash when the Elks visit Saskatchewan (4-1), who had a bye in Week 7. Winnipeg (4-2) won in overtime over Ottawa to hold playoff ground. In the East, Hamilton (3-4) moved up after Tre Ford’s first CFL start produced a 24-23 win over Toronto (2-4). Ottawa (0-6) fell further after squandering a 17-point fourth-quarter lead before losing 36-34 in overtime. See the full standings in the box below.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Winnipeg Blue Bombers to Induct Back-to-Back Grey Cup Champions of 1988 and 1990
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will induct their 1988 and 1990 Grey Cup championship squads into the club’s Hall of Fame this September. The 1988 team made history as the first .500 side to win the Grey Cup, defeating the B.C. Lions 22-21 in Ottawa; receiver James Murphy earned Offensive MVP with five catches for 165 yards. The 1990 squad went 12-6 before beating Edmonton in Vancouver, with Tom Burgess throwing a touchdown to Lee Hull and Greg Battle scoring a pick-six. Both championship clubs were guided by GM Cal Murphy and head coach Mike Riley. The formal induction ceremony takes place September 26 at the RBC Convention Centre.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Dinwiddie: Ottawa Redblacks Are ‘Fighting Our Ass Off for Our Jobs’ After 0-6 Start
Ottawa Redblacks head coach and GM Ryan Dinwiddie admitted Sunday’s 36-34 overtime loss to Winnipeg has the organization fighting to keep its jobs. “We’re fighting our ass off for our jobs — all of us,” he said, after Ottawa squandered a 17-point fourth-quarter lead. The defeat drops the 0-6 Redblacks four points back of Toronto for the East’s third playoff berth. Quarterback Jake Maier holds the CFL’s lowest passer rating among starters at 87.9, with 1,716 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Home attendance is down nearly 20 per cent year-over-year, on pace for a 55-year franchise low. Ottawa enters a bye before hosting first-place Montreal.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Five Front-Runners for CFL Most Outstanding Player at the One-Third Mark
With one-third of the 2026 CFL season done, 3DownNation’s John Hodge names five MOP front-runners. Vernon Adams Jr. (Calgary) has 17 touchdown passes and zero interceptions in six games. Davis Alexander (Montreal) has 2,181 yards, 11 touchdowns, and zero picks in a 5-1 start, on pace to challenge Doug Flutie’s passing record. Trevor Harris (Saskatchewan) has 1,629 yards and 12 touchdowns for the 4-1 Roughriders. Receiver Tyson Philpot (Montreal) has caught 50 passes for 807 yards, on pace to shatter Allen Pitts’ 1994 receiving record. Justin Rankin (Edmonton) has 865 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns. Injuries have removed Nathan Rourke and Bo Levi Mitchell from contention.
Sources: 3DownNation Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division
1. Montreal Alouettes — 10 pts (5-1-0)
2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 6 pts (3-4-0)
3. Toronto Argonauts — 4 pts (2-4-0)
4. Ottawa Redblacks — 0 pts (0-6-0)
Western Conference
Western Division
1. Edmonton Elks — 10 pts (5-1-0)
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 8 pts (4-1-0)*
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 8 pts (4-2-0)
4. Calgary Stampeders — 4 pts (2-4-0)
5. B.C. Lions — 2 pts (1-4-0)
*Saskatchewan played 5 games (bye Week 7)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency