Week 1 of the CFL season brought thrilling action and standout performances across the league. Here’s a recap of the best moments and key stats from each game.
Montreal Alouettes vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Final Score: Montreal Alouettes 27, Winnipeg Blue Bombers 12
Montreal Alouettes:
- Passing: Cody Fajardo led the Alouettes with a solid performance, completing 20 of 28 passes for 254 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
- Rushing: Walter Fletcher contributed 36 yards on 12 carries, while Fajardo added 23 yards on 7 carries.
- Receiving: Tyson Philpot was the star receiver with 10 receptions for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Defense: Shawn Lemon and Tyrice Beverette each had 5 tackles, with Lemon adding a sack.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers:
- Passing: Zach Collaros threw for 209 yards, completing 20 of 33 passes but failed to score a touchdown and had 1 interception.
- Rushing: Brady Oliveira rushed for 38 yards on 11 carries.
- Receiving: Dalton Schoen had 5 receptions for 62 yards, while Drew Wolitarsky added 33 yards on 2 receptions.
- Defense: Brandon Cole led the defense with 7 tackles and 1 interception.
The Montreal Alouettes showcased a balanced attack with strong performances from Fajardo and Philpot, while the defense kept the Blue Bombers in check throughout the game.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Calgary Stampeders
Final Score: Calgary Stampeders 32, Hamilton Tiger-Cats 24
Hamilton Tiger-Cats:
- Passing: Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 300 yards on 27 of 38 passing with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
- Rushing: James Butler led the ground game with 119 yards on 13 carries.
- Receiving: Shemar Bridges had 7 receptions for 85 yards, while Tim White added 55 yards on 6 receptions.
- Defense: Darius Lawson Jr. and Richard Wilborn both had 6 tackles each.
Calgary Stampeders:
- Passing: Jake Maier was efficient, completing 21 of 26 passes for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Rushing: Dedrick Mills rushed for 87 yards on 13 carries.
- Receiving: Clark Barnes caught 6 passes for 61 yards and 1 touchdown.
- Defense: Darnell Houston and Mike Awe led with 7 tackles each, with Houston also snagging an interception.
Despite a strong showing from Bo Levi Mitchell and James Butler, the Tiger-Cats fell short as the Stampeders capitalized on key plays and maintained a consistent offense.
Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Edmonton Elks
Final Score: Saskatchewan Roughriders 29, Edmonton Elks 21
Saskatchewan Roughriders:
- Passing: Trevor Harris had a stellar game, completing 22 of 31 passes for 305 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
- Rushing: A.J. Ouellette rushed for 40 yards on 18 carries, scoring 1 touchdown.
- Receiving: Jerreth Sterns caught 5 passes for 125 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- Defense: Rolan Milligan Jr. led with 10 tackles and 1 pass deflection.
Edmonton Elks:
- Passing: McLeod Bethel-Thompson completed 33 of 42 passes for 336 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
- Rushing: Kevin Brown had 23 rushing yards on 7 carries.
- Receiving: Dillon Mitchell had 7 receptions for 93 yards.
- Defense: Nathan Morgan had 9 tackles and 1 pass deflection.
Trevor Harris and Jerreth Sterns were the dynamic duo for the Roughriders, leading their team to a hard-fought victory over the Elks.
BC Lions vs. Toronto Argonauts
Final Score: Toronto Argonauts 35, BC Lions 27
BC Lions:
- Passing: Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 363 yards on 25 of 33 passing, with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
- Rushing: William Stanback rushed for 35 yards on 11 carries.
- Receiving: Alexander Hollins caught 8 passes for 90 yards, while Justin McInnis had 103 yards on 7 receptions, including 1 touchdown.
- Defense: Ben Hladik led with 9 tackles.
Toronto Argonauts:
- Passing: Cameron Dukes completed 21 of 27 passes for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- Rushing: Ka'Deem Carey rushed for 65 yards on 16 carries.
- Receiving: Rasheed Bailey had 5 receptions for 50 yards and 1 touchdown.
- Defense: Wynton McManis and Lucas Johnson led with 7 tackles each, with McManis also recording a sack.
The Argonauts displayed a potent offense with Cameron Dukes leading the way, complemented by a balanced rushing attack and a strong defensive effort.
Conclusion
Week 1 of the CFL season delivered thrilling games, standout performances, and exciting moments. Stay tuned for more action as the season progresses, and catch all the updates and insights on The CFL Football Show with Ron Raymond.