CFL

Bomber Report

CODIE MCLACHLAN / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Bryce Perkins (9) manages a first down against the Edmonton Elks during first half CFL football action in Edmonton on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Codie McLachlan

Playoff hopes dwindle for Bombers after loss to Edmonton

Taylor Allen 7 minute read 4:33 AM CDT

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EDMONTON — It’s a script the Winnipeg Blue Bombers should’ve shredded, burned, and buried.

Go to Edmonton, dominate the first half, crumble in the final two quarters and lose.

That’s what happened in Week 12, when the Bombers blew an early 16-point lead in a 22-19 loss. And in their return to Commonwealth Stadium on Friday night, the Bombers went down a nearly identical path in a 35-27 defeat to the Edmonton Elks.

In their latest disappearing act, the Blue and Gold led 21-10 with less than a minute remaining in the first half before seemingly vanishing into thin air.

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CFL

Edmonton Elks' quarterback Cody Fajardo (7) is tackled by Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Michael Griffin II (32) during first half CFL football action in Edmonton on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Codie McLachlan

Edmonton Elks to host CFL West final for first time in 11 years

Shane Jones, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Edmonton Elks to host CFL West final for first time in 11 years

Shane Jones, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 12:38 AM CDT

EDMONTON - The Edmonton Elks will host the CFL West final for the first time in more than a decade.

Cody Fajardo ran for two touchdowns and passed for two more as Edmonton rallied to a 35-27 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday. Edmonton has not hosted a West final or even a home playoff game at all since 2015.

“It feels great,” said Elks head coach Mark Kilam. “We had a great opportunity to be able to clinch at home in front of our fans, so I’m really proud of the guys for finding a way tonight."

Fajardo completed 12 of 17 pass attempts for 120 yards for the Elks (13-4).

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Updated: 12:38 AM CDT

CFL

Ottawa Redblacks' Ayden Eberhardt (right) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during second half CFL action against the Toronto Argonauts in Ottawa, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Ottawa Redblacks end 22-game losing skid with 40-39 win over Toronto Argonauts

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Ottawa Redblacks end 22-game losing skid with 40-39 win over Toronto Argonauts

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 11:15 PM CDT

OTTAWA - Bryson Barnes waited patiently for his opportunity, and when it finally came, the rookie quarterback delivered what the Ottawa Redblacks needed.

Barnes put together an impressive performance in a 40-39 victory over the Toronto Argonauts on Friday to lead the Redblacks to their first win of the season, snapping a 22-game losing streak that dated back to last year.

“I don’t think it’s fully settled in yet,” said Barnes. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity that I was able to have to go out with these guys.”

Ottawa went 406 days between wins.

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Updated: Yesterday at 11:15 PM CDT

CFL

B.C. Lions' Mathieu Betts, right, chases down Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. during second half CFL football action in Calgary, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Calgary Stampeders look to keep CFL playoff hopes alive against surging B.C. Lions

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Calgary Stampeders look to keep CFL playoff hopes alive against surging B.C. Lions

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 5:53 PM CDT

CALGARY - With their CFL playoff fate out of their hands, the Calgary Stampeders can only try to beat the surging B.C. Lions in their regular-season finale and see where they land.

The Stampeders (8-9) host the B.C. Lions (10-6) at McMahon Stadium on Saturday, with a win setting up a potentially awkward bye week spent waiting for other results to determine their playoff fate.

Improving playoff chances, getting to a 9-9 record and producing a win at McMahon where they've gone 3-5 so far in 2026 were all compelling enough stakes for Calgary.

With kicker Rene Paredes set to retire after 15 years and George Hopkins about to step back after 55 years as equipment manager, there was the desire Friday to make the regular-season finale a memorable one.

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Yesterday at 5:53 PM CDT

CFL

Saskatchewan Roughriders' A.J. Ouellette, right, is tackled by from Montreal Alouettes' Najee Murray (12) during second half CFL football action in Montreal, on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Roughriders want to take most direct route to playoffs by winning last two games

Jeff DeDekker, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Roughriders want to take most direct route to playoffs by winning last two games

Jeff DeDekker, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 3:21 PM CDT

REGINA - In a complicated CFL playoff picture, the Saskatchewan Roughriders understand one simple fact — close out the season with victories in their final two regular season games and they’re in the post-season.

The Roughriders (8-8) are heading into a game Saturday against the visiting Montreal Alouettes (13-3) still looking to lock down a playoff spot.

There are a few ways the post-season picture might play out over the last two weeks, but Riders head coach Corey Mace is focusing on the simplest option. 

"The easiest one to come to a solution is to just go out and do what you’re supposed to do and it’ll take care of itself," Mace said. "Our mindset every week is to go into a game and try to come out 1-0. That’s never changed so we’re focused on that."

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Yesterday at 3:21 PM CDT

Bomber Report

Taylor Allen photo Former University of Manitoba quarterback Des Catellier was brought to Edmonton by Elks head coach after their time together on Calgary’s staff.

Former Bisons quarterback Catellier valued by Elks

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Former Bisons quarterback Catellier valued by Elks

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

EDMONTON — Des Catellier may have been a young quarterback for the Manitoba Bisons, but Cody Fajardo saw the makings of a future coach.

It was 2019, when Fajardo was with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Catellier attended training camp with the team as part of the CFL QB Internship Program.

“He was one of the only U Sports guys that really came in and knew the whole playbook,” Fajardo, now the starting pivot for the Edmonton Elks, told the Free Press on Thursday.

“He could go in and rep just about any play on offence.”

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Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

Bomber Report

Frank Gunn / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (left) and then Montreal Alouettes QB Cody Fajardo shake hands after the 110th CFL Grey Cup. The Elks pivot is 2-0 against Collaros in 2026, but Collaros remains 8-4 in the QB battle against his former Saskatchewan Roughriders teammate.

Expect more of a grind than a shootout as Bombers face Elks on the road

Taylor Allen 8 minute read Preview

Expect more of a grind than a shootout as Bombers face Elks on the road

Taylor Allen 8 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 3:30 PM CDT

EDMONTON — Which version of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are going to show up this week?

To punch their ticket to the playoffs, they better hope it’s the one that plays three-phase football for a full four quarters on Friday night at Commonwealth Stadium.

That’s likely what it’ll take to outlast the first-place Edmonton Elks (12-4) — who are also extra motivated considering they can clinch their first West Division regular-season title since 2015 with a victory.

The Bombers (8-8) can also secure a post-season berth this weekend if the Calgary Stampeders (8-9) fall to the B.C. Lions (10-6) on Saturday, but they’re not looking for a handout.

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Updated: Yesterday at 3:30 PM CDT

CFL

Highway 11 is pictured southbound through the Qu'Appelle Valley near Lumsden, Sask., on Sunday, July 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kayle Neis

No release of toxicology results in deadly crash involving Saskatchewan Roughrider

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

No release of toxicology results in deadly crash involving Saskatchewan Roughrider

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

REGINA - RCMP says the province's coroners service won't be releasing toxicology results from a deadly crash that involved Saskatchewan Roughrider Jayden Dalke.

Mounties say details contained in that report are considered personal health information.

Dalke, 30, from Leduc, Alta., and Bhishma Rajyaguru, 22, from Regina died earlier this summer on Highway 11 near the town of Lumsden.

RCMP has said Dalke was driving on the wrong side of a divided highway — with alcohol and cannabis in his SUV — when his vehicle slammed into the car Rajyaguru was driving.

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Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

CFL

Ottawa Redblacks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson lies on the field briefly after being hit by B.C. Lions' Lorenzo Mauldin IV, not seen, while passing the ball during the second half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Winless Redblacks desperate to end home campaign on high note

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Winless Redblacks desperate to end home campaign on high note

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

OTTAWA - It has been 406 days since Ottawa Redblacks fans last saw a win at TD Place. And they may have to wait a lot longer if the Redblacks (0-16) can’t snap a 22-game losing streak Friday night when they host the Toronto Argonauts (9-7) in their last home game of the season.

Ottawa hasn’t won a game since Sept. 5, 2025, which also marked the last time they won at home.

Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie would love to give fans a win, but he also wants to evaluate some players as he looks ahead to next season.

"We want to play good for our home crowd," Dinwiddie said. "We talked about it this morning, like let’s go out there and finish it on the right note. It's a chance for us to put some smiles on some of our fans' faces and in that locker room, go get a win."

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Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

CFL

Toronto Argonauts defensive back Tarvarus McFadden (2) battles Ottawa Redblacks wide receiver Nick Mardner (84) for the ball during second half CFL action in Toronto on Saturday October 19, 2024. HE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Ottawa Redblacks release Canadian receiver Mardner, American receiver Victor

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Ottawa Redblacks release Canadian receiver Mardner, American receiver Victor

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

OTTAWA - Canadian receiver Nick Mardner, the second pick of the 2024 CFL draft, was released Thursday by the Ottawa Redblacks.

Ottawa also let American receiver Binjimen Victor go.

The Redblacks drafted Mardner following his college career at Auburn.

The six-foot-six, 208-pound native of Mississauga, Ont., began his American university tenure at Hawaii (2018-21), then transferred to Cincinnati in 2022 before heading to Auburn for a sixth and final season.

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Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

CFL

Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) looks for a receiver during second half CFL football action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Winnipeg on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Calgary Stampeders not in control of their CFL playoff destiny

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Calgary Stampeders not in control of their CFL playoff destiny

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

TORONTO - The Calgary Stampeders will be playing for much more than the season series with the B.C. Lions on Saturday night.

Calgary (8-9) hosts B.C. (10-6) with the two teams having split their previous two contests this season. The Lions can cement a home playoff game with a victory.

Calgary doesn't control its playoff fate. It can neither clinch a post-season berth with a victory nor be eliminated from contention with a loss, thanks to last week's 33-28 setback to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

That loss gave Winnipeg the season series with Calgary 2-1. The Bombers split their series with Saskatchewan 1-1 but have a better point differential in those two contests, giving them the tiebreaker with the Riders.

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Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

CFL

Toronto Argonauts' Kevin Mital (10) is tackled by Montreal Alouettes' Geoffrey Cantin-Arku (9) during first half CFL football action in Montreal on Friday, June 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Montreal Alouettes linebacker Cantin-Arku claims Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Montreal Alouettes linebacker Cantin-Arku claims Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

MONTREAL - Montreal Alouettes linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku was awarded the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award on Thursday.

The honour recognizes a Canadian CFL player who best embodies the qualities of Canada’s veterans, including strength, perseverance, courage, comradeship and community service.

The award is named after Gaudaur, a distinguished Second World War veteran and two-time Grey Cup champion who served as the CFL's longest-tenured commissioner from 1968 to 1984.

Gaudaur died at the age of 87 in 2007.

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Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

CFL

Edmonton Elks' Zach Mathis (centre) scores a touchdown under pressure from Calgary Stampeders' Kelechi Anyalebechi (51) and BoPete Keyes (35) during second half CFL football action in Edmonton on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Codie McLachlan

Versatile receiver Mathis giving Elks a boost ahead of Bombers clash

John Korobanik, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Versatile receiver Mathis giving Elks a boost ahead of Bombers clash

John Korobanik, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

EDMONTON - Edmonton Elks wide receiver Zach Mathis has an interesting statistic line: one receiving touchdown, one interception return touchdown.

Mathis's 48-yard interception return touchdown in Edmonton’s 27-12 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last weekend gave the third-year Elk an equal number of touchdowns on both sides of the ball.

"That’s an amazing stat just to have that," Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo said of the unusual stat. "He’s a guy who’s been on and off the roster all year. We’ve asked him to do a lot of things special team wise. Obviously, everyone wants to be a starting player and when you have to do that grunt work of the special team week after week it gets monotonous, but he’s put his head down.

“He’s a glue guy for this team.”

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Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

CFL

Calgary Stampeders equipment manager George Hopkins moves training gear during the first of training camp in Calgary, Sunday, May 11, 2025. Hopkins has been on the Stampeders staf for over 50 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

After 55 years and six Grey Cups, Stampeders equipment manager calls it a career

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

After 55 years and six Grey Cups, Stampeders equipment manager calls it a career

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

CALGARY - Calgary Stampeders equipment manager George Hopkins will step down after 55 years with the team at the end of the CFL season.

Hopkins was hired by the team at age 13 as a ball boy in 1972 and has overseen equipment since 1977.

The Stampeders said Thursday the 67-year-old Calgarian will remain in the organization as an ambassador.

"Geo has been an important part of the Calgary Stampeders family, and his contributions extend far beyond his role as equipment manager,” Stampeders president Jay McNeil said. "He has built lasting relationships throughout our club and earned the respect of everyone who has had the privilege of working with him. 

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Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

Bomber Report

Timothy Matwey / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Trey Vaval leads the league in punt return yards, sits third in kickoff return yards and ranks second with two return touchdowns — including a second-half opening 88-yarder Saturday against the Calgary Stampeders.

Vaval continues to dominate special teams while lighting up defensive stats

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Vaval continues to dominate special teams while lighting up defensive stats

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

Trey Vaval’s CFL career was almost over before it even started.

A month and a half before he was scheduled to report to Winnipeg for Blue Bombers rookie camp, Vaval broke his left hand in a motocross accident. An unsuccessful jump sent him flying over the handlebars before the bike came down and crushed his hand.

“As soon as I got up and got off the track, I felt good,” said Vaval after Wednesday’s closed practice.

Even a nurse on site checked him out and told him he likely had nothing more than a sprained wrist.

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Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

CFL

B.C. Lions' Casey Sayles, back left, strips the ball from the hands of Ottawa Redblacks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson (3) forcing a turnover during the second half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘We’re getting hot at the right time’: Time, confidence key to B.C. Lions’ turnaround

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

‘We’re getting hot at the right time’: Time, confidence key to B.C. Lions’ turnaround

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

SURREY - A shaky start to the CFL season didn't dim the B.C. Lions' big aspirations. 

Inside the locker room, there's always been a belief that the team could achieve great things this year, said defensive lineman Casey Sayles. 

"Sometimes good things take time to kind of develop," he said. "But we knew the team that we were and that we have. And it's been great to have the journey."

After starting the 2026 campaign with a 1-5 record, the Lions (10-6) have wins in nine of their last 10 games.

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Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

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