CFL.ca Game Notes: A look at Week 10

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO — Week 10 rolls into town as all teams as we approach the half way point of the season.

Things get started in Montreal on Thursday as the Alouettes host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Bombers are riding a four-game win streak while the Alouettes are on coming off a loss to the Argos last week. Matt Nichols and co. have found chemistry and together they handed the Eskimos their first loss of the season last week. Andrew Harris continues to be a dual threat – last week he collected over 100 yards both through the air and on the ground – and the Als will have to zero in on the Canadian if they want to slow down the Bombers offensive attack. Darian Durant will be looking for a bounce-back performance after throwing just 93 yards and being replaced by Drew Willy last week.

On Friday, the week moves to Edmonton where the Eskimos take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Riders are coming off a Week 9 bye and will be hoping the momentum of their big win over the Lions continues this week. Ed Gainey will be looking to add to his league-leading interception total – all four of which came in his record-setting performance against BC. The Esks’ injury woes continue – OL Jean-Simon Roy, DE Marcus Howard and LS Ryan King were announced this week to miss the rest of the season. Their depth will be tested this week against a hungry Riders team looking to climb up the standings.

The first half of Saturday’s doubleheader will begin in Ottawa where the REDBLACKS host the BC Lions. The Lions have lost their last two games and will be looking to snap that losing skid this week. After a forgettable debut since returning from injury, Jonathon Jennings looked more like himself last week against a tough Stampeders defence. Jennings has the offensive weapons to work with, he just needs to settle in under centre. Trevor Harris, meanwhile, also has offensive weapons of his own to work with, including Kenny Shaw who made his season debut last week, making five catches for 45 yards. The REDBLACKS’ secondary will have to contain the likes of Chris Williams, Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Areceneux if they want to keep the momentum from their win over Hamilton last week rolling.

And finally things end in Calgary where the Toronto Argonauts are in town to take on the Stampeders. The Argos offence came alive last week with the return of Ricky Ray as they dominated the Montreal Alouettes. SJ Green continued his impressive 2017 while fullback Declan Cross also got touches (and a trip to the end zone) in the victory. Toronto will have to roll without their dynamic slotback this week, however, as Anthony Coombs is set to have surgery on his shoulder. The Argos pass-rush will have to be on their A-game as they look to stop the league’s leading rusher, Jerome Messam, and make things uncomfortable for Bo Levi Mitchell. Which high-powered offence will come out on top?

Buy Week 10 Tickets

» Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET: Winnipeg at Montreal
» Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET: Saskatchewan at Edmonton
» Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET: BC at Ottawa
» Saturday, 9:30 p.m. ET: Toronto at Calgary

THIS WEEK IN THE CFL

NIK LEWIS

After a thorough stats review, it has been determined that Nik Lewis has a career total of 1,021 receptions (not 1,020). In his game on September 6, 2004 Lewis was originally credited with two receptions for 23 yards, however after finding inconsistent data and watching the game over, Lewis in fact recorded three receptions (14, 4 and 5 yards) for 23 yards. With the stat change, Lewis is now only nine receptions away from surpassing Geroy Simon on the CFL all-time receptions list.
After recording six receptions in Week 9’s game versus Toronto, Lewis surpassed Ben Cahoon for second all-time in receptions (1,021).
Lewis will be entering his 221^st game in the CFL only nine catches shy of becoming the new reception king.
Current record holder Geroy Simon recorded 1,029 receptions in 238 games.
In his career, Lewis has been targeted 1,422 times (Source CFL Game Notes) 71.7% percentage caught. 333 of his 1,021 receptions are second down conversion catches.
Lewis’ first reception came on June 20, 2004 when he caught a 19-yard pass from Marcus Crandell.

ANDREW HARRIS

Against the Edmonton Eskimos Andrew Harris recorded 105 rushing yards on 11 carries and 120 receiving yards on eight receptions.
It marked the first time a player recorded 100+ receiving and rushing yards in a single game since July 29, 2010 when Montreal’s Avon Cobourne had 115 rushing yards and 116 receiving yards against Toronto.
Since 1995, Harris became the eighth player to record 100+ rushing and receiving yards in a single game. It now has occurred nine times since 1995:

Andrew Harris, WPG (August 17, 2017 | Rush: 105, Rec: 120)

Avon Cobourne, MTL (July 29, 2010 | Rush: 115, Rec: 116)

Avon Cobourne, MTL (August 15, 2008 | Rush: 107, Rec: 103)

Kenton Keith, SSK (August 19, 2006 | Rush: 148, Rec: 101)

Saladin McCullough, CGY (July 11, 2003 |Rush: 105, Rec: 101)

Charles Roberts, WPG (August 23, 2002 | Rush: 104, Rec: 106)

Robert Drummond, TOR (July 11, 1996 | Rush: 100, Rec: 104)

Eric Blount, EDM (October 13, 1995 | Rush: 140, Rec: 107)

Cory Philpot, BC (September 16, 1995 | Rush: 134, Rec: 107)

Harris is on pace for 1,114 rushing yards and 1,033 receiving yards which would be the first-time in CFL history a player recorded over 1,000 yards in both categories in a single season.
The closest player to get to that mark was Robert Drummond in 1997 with Toronto (1,134 RUSH, 840 REC).
Harris also became the first running back this year to register two 100-yard rushing games and has done so in back-to-back weeks. Week 8 vs. Hamilton 107 yards and Week 9 vs. Edmonton 105 yards.
Andrew Harris has climbed up to number 30 on the all-time rushing list. He is now within 358 yards of entering the top 25 all-time. It is held by Canadian Sean Millington.

All-Time Canadian Rushing Yards List

Normie Kwong 9,022 yards
Jon Cornish 6,844 yards
Sean Millington 6,086 yards
Andrew Harris 5,728 yards
Ron Stewart 5,690 yards

FORTRESS: McMAHON STADIUM

The Stampeders have won 13 consecutive games at home – the eighth-longest home winning streak of all time in the CFL.
The streak is the second-longest run of home victories in franchise history. Calgary owns the CFL record with 27 straight wins at home from 1992-1995.
The last regular season loss at home took place in 2015 in Week 16 when Edmonton defeated Calgary 15-11.
During the 13-0 run, the Stampeders have outscored their opponents 499-273 (+226). In 11 of those 13 games Calgary has scored 30 points; they surpassed 40 points six times.
With a win this week, Bo Levi Mitchell can become only the second quarterback to win 50 games within 60 starts. The only other quarterback to do so is Ken Ploen in 59 games.

Can Jonathon Jennings bounce-back and lead his team to victory this week? (The Canadian Press)

WEEK 10 GAME NOTES

Not-So Close Game: Ottawa’s (2-6-1) 37-18 win over Hamilton last week was the REDBLACKS’ first game this season that was not decided by seven points or fewer.

Alberta Strong: Both Alberta teams are undefeated at home this season: Edmonton (4-0) and Calgary (3-0).

Most Penalties: Despite having the best record in the CFL, Edmonton (7-1) have been penalized the most this season (81). Saskatchewan has been penalized the least (50).

Blocked Kicks: So far this season there have been 10 blocked kicks – the Hamilton Tiger-Cats have the most with six. Calgary and Edmonton are the other two teams to register a blocked kick (two each). The CFL team record is nine, set by the BC Lions in 1958.

Net Offence: Montreal’s net offence averages 350.5 yards per game. However, Montreal is tied for first on a per-play basis with Calgary averaging 7.0 yards per play.

Sack Attack: Toronto leads the league with 30 sacks this season, despite missing several starters due to injury. The Argonauts have eight more sacks then the second best team (Edmonton).

TD Streak: CFL leading receiver Greg Ellingson is riding a five-game touchdown streak. He has a total of six majors on the season.

On Pace: Ellingson (904 receiving yards) and SJ Green (850 receiving yards) are both within reach of 1000 yards just nine games into the season. In the last 12 years, only two players have recorded 1,000 yards in their first 10 games: Jamel Richardson in 2011 and Adarius Bowman in 2016.

No Picks: Winnipeg quarterback Matt Nichols has thrown 160 consecutive passes without an interception. His personal best is 167.

Mr. Clutch Kick: Justin Medlock has kicked three field goals of 50+ yards this season. The record for the most 50+ field goals in a season is nine set by Calgary’s J.T. Hay in 1986 and Baltimore’s Carlos Huerta in 1994.

Kicks: Last year there were 44 attempts (27 made) from 50+ yards and this year there have been only 13 attempts (eight made).

Close Game Alert: 62% of games this season have been decided in the final three minutes.

Low Penalties: Penalties this season are down 11% compared to last season.

Second Quarter Points: The second quarter this season averages the most points – 16.4 (30% of points). The first quarter averages the fewest amount of points – 10.1 (19% of points).

Two-Point No Good: Winnipeg and Montreal do not yet have a successful 2-point conversion. Both teams are 0 for 2.

Strong off a Bye: Teams coming off a bye week are 4-3 this season. Saskatchewan comes off a bye this week when they play Edmonton.

One-Point Converts Down: League-wide one-point convert percentage is 88%, down from 91% from last year. Kickers were only 12 for 16 (75%) last week.

Record Searching: Argonauts running back Brandon Whitaker is four carries shy of reaching 1,000 for his career.

Consistency: 11 different quarterbacks have started this season. At the same point in 2016 it was 15 and 2015 it was 14.

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