Paul Swanson/CFL.ca
TORONTO — The second week of the 2023 CFL season is upcoming with four exciting matchups for fans to enjoy.
Things start in the nation’s capital on Thursday night as the Ottawa REDBLACKS play host to the Calgary Stampeders. Ottawa, 0-1, will once again turn to Nick Arbuckle to lead the offence while the defence will look to have a repeat of their Week 1 six-sack effort against the Alouettes. Calgary, also 0-1 to start the campaign, will be without star running back Ka’Deem Carey as they head out on the road for the first time this year.
Friday night’s contest is an early-season matchup between heated rivals. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers head to Saskatchewan to take on the Riders as two 1-0 teams battle at Mosaic Stadium. Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros was in mid-season form last week, throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, and will look to keep that rolling this weekend in enemy territory. The Roughriders are surely proud of the defensive effort they had last week against the Elks, including a massive goal line stand late in the fourth quarter, and will look to shut down Collaros and the Winnipeg offence.
BC then plays host to the Elks as the Lions enjoy their first game at BC Place of the young season. Vernon Adams Jr. and co. looked good in their contest last week as they improved to 1-0 with a win over Calgary. Can they do it again at home against the Elks? Chris Jones’ team will hope not as they eye improving to .500 this week with a win.
And finally, things end in Toronto as the reigning Grey Cup Champion Argonauts host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. It’s Chad Kelly‘s team moving forward in Toronto as his team begins the quest to defend their championship title in their first game of the year after a Week 1 bye. Hamilton scored on special teams and defence in their loss to the Bombers last week and will look to continue their three-phase success in their rival’s backyard.
Buy Week 2 Tickets
» Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET: Calgary at Ottawa
» Friday, 9:00 p.m. ET: Winnipeg at Saskatchewan
» Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET: Edmonton at BC
» Sunday, 7:00 p.m. ET: Hamilton at Toronto
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.
