THIS WEEK IN THE CFL – WEEK 2
Stats and storylines heading into this week’s action
TITLE DEFENCE OPENS
- On Sunday against Hamilton, the Argonauts will begin their 150th year in Canadian Football.
- The reigning Grey Cup champions will raise their championship banner prior to the game.
- Entering his third season as head coach, Ryan Dinwiddie owns a record of 20-12 (.625). He is 6-2 versus the Tiger-Cats, including an undefeated 4-0 at BMO Field.
- The Argos are looking for a third straight division title – a feat they have only achieved twice in the past century (1982-84 and 1920-22).
- Chad Kelly will be making his second career start.
- CFL All-Star and 2022 league leader in interceptions, Jamal Peters, has returned to the team.
- The Argonauts have a league-low six first-year players, including two QBs in Cameron Dukes and Bryan Scott.
GOIN’ BUCK WILD
- Last week, the Elks’ prized acquisition, Eugene Lewis, registered his 15th career 100+ yard game.
- His 102-yard touchdown was the longest since Vidal Hazelton’s 108-yard effort in 2017.
- The last four 100+ yard touchdown receptions have been by Edmonton players:
- Geno Lewis | 2023 | 102 yards
- Derel Walker | 2018 | 101 yards
- Vidal Hazelton | 2017| 108 yards
- Derel Walker | 2016 | 104 yards
IN IT TO WIN IT
- With Winnipeg’s victory last week, Mike O’Shea moved into a tie for 13th on the all-time wins list alongside Jack Gotta (83). His next victory will move him into a tie for 12th with Tom Higgins.
- Montreal’s victory over Ottawa was Jason Maas’s 40th coaching victory.
- Career victories by the current head coaches:
- Mike O’Shea | 83
- Dave Dickenson | 73
- Rick Campbell | 62
- Chris Jones | 57
- Jason Maas | 40
- Orlondo Steinauer | 31
- Craig Dickenson | 29
- Ryan Dinwiddie | 20
- Bob Dyce | 4
QUICK SLANTS
- Three of the four games in Week 1 were decided in the final three minutes.
- The average game length in Week 1 was 2:47.
- Defences stood tall last week with each game averaging a total of 5.3 sacks and six forced turnovers.
- Calgary’s Micah Awe led the league with 12 tackles last week against BC.
- Tre Odom-Dukes had a league-high three second down conversion receptions last week.
- Last week, Ottawa’s Nigel Romick recorded his 100th career special teams tackle in his 101st career game
- Winnipeg has won its past five games versus Saskatchewan – all with Zach Collaros at QB. He is 25-3 in his last 28 starts.
- The first of Collaros’s three passing touchdowns last week was the 150th of his career. He became the 25th quarterback to reach the milestone.
- Collaros (7,943) needs 228 passing yards to move past Tom Burgess into 10th on the Bombers' franchise list.
- Willie Jefferson’s next sack will be the 60th of his career. His two pass knockdowns last week increased his career total to 56.
- Edmonton’s Manny Arceneaux (8,960) needs 40 yards to reach 9,000 in his career.
- In 2022, the Lions were 6-3 at BC Place. They led the league in points scored at home (289).
- Dominique Rhymes recorded his 13th career 100+ yard receiving game last week.
- Hamilton linebacker Simoni Lawrence (663) passed Calvin Tiggle (662) to move into 12th all-time in defensive tackles
- In 13 starts against the Argonauts, Bo Levi Mitchell is 12-1 with a QB rating of 111.5 – his best mark against any opponent. He has 27 touchdown passes and only 8 interceptions vs. Toronto.
Lucas Barrett
Associate Vice-President, Communications & Public Affairs, Canadian Football League