Latest news with #seasonopener
CTV News
6 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
B.C. Lions game features 1st opening-week meeting of Canadian quarterbacks
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) makes the throw against the Edmonton Elks during first half CFL pre-season action in Edmonton, on Friday May 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson It will be a historic CFL first Saturday night in Vancouver. The B.C. Lions will host the Edmonton Elks at B.C. Place in the season opener for both teams. This will mark the first opening week featuring two Canadian starting quarterbacks (B.C.'s Nathan Rourke, Edmonton's Tre Ford) since 1968 and the first time it's occurred in the same game. The 2025 season will kick off Thursday night with the Ottawa Redblacks visiting the Saskatchewan Roughriders. On Friday night, the Toronto Argonauts begin their Grey Cup defence in Montreal versus the Alouettes before the Calgary Stampeders entertain the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday night. Also of note in Vancouver, B.C.'s Buck Pierce and Edmonton's Mark Kilam will make their CFL head-coaching debuts. Rourke, 27, of Victoria, rejoined the Lions last season following NFL stints with Jacksonville, New England, the New York Giants and Atlanta. He was the league's top Canadian in 2022 with B.C. Ford, also 27, was Edmonton's '22 first-round pick out of Waterloo. The Hec Crighton Trophy winner from Niagara Falls, Ont., was 9-9 in 18 starts over the last three years before signing an extension with the CFL club this off-season. Ford and Kilam are looking to lead Edmonton to the CFL playoffs for the first time since 2019. Pierce joined the Lions following 10 seasons as an assistant with Winnipeg, helping the Bombers make five straight Grey Cup appearances, winning in 2019 and '21. Some other season-opening facts: — The overwhelming majority of players on CFL rosters are veterans. According to the league, just 67 of the 493 total players on teams are in their first year (13.6 per cent) compared to 93 at this time last year. — Players have an average of 41 games (2 1/2 seasons) of CFL experience and 22 starts. — The average age in the CFL is 28.2 years. Ottawa Redblacks versus Saskatchewan Roughriders (Thursday night) At Regina, the Redblacks struggled mightily on the road last season, posting a 2-7-0 record. But they were 6-3-1 versus West Division rivals. Dru Brown begins his second full season as Ottawa's starter and will have veteran receiver Eugene Lewis available. Lewis finished last season with touchdown catches in Edmonton's final eight games, leaving him two short of Terry Evanshen's league record. Veteran Trevor Harris gets the start for Saskatchewan, which is looking to improve upon last year's 5-4 home record and 4-3 mark versus East rivals. Pick: Saskatchewan. --- Toronto Argonauts versus Montreal Alouettes (Friday night) At Montreal, Davis Alexander begins his first full season as the Alouettes' starting quarterback. He was an impressive 4-0 last year while incumbent Cody Fajardo — who's now in Edmonton — was injured. Veteran Nick Arbuckle, last year's Grey Cup MVP, starts for the new-look Argos, who begin their title defence without many of the faces that played prominent roles in last year's championship. Chad Kelly, the CFL's '23 outstanding player, continues to recover from the serious leg injury he sustained in last year's East Division final. Pick: Montreal. --- Hamilton Tiger-Cats versus Calgary Stampeders (Saturday night) At Calgary, Hamilton starter Bo Levi Mitchell chases his first regular-season win at McMahon Stadium, where he played so many years with the Stampeders. A victory would be Mitchell's 100th in the CFL and come in his 141st career start, making him the fastest player in league history to achieve the milestone. Veteran Vernon Adams Jr. makes his first debut with the Stampeders, who are looking to return to the CFL playoffs after missing out last year for the first time since '04. Pick: Hamilton. --- Edmonton Elks versus B.C. Lions (Saturday night) At Vancouver, no one was busier this off-season than Edmonton general manager Ed Hervey, who added the likes of defensive linemen Jake Ceresna and Robbie Smith, defensive backs Royce Metchie and Tyrell Ford and offensive lineman David Beard. Conventional thinking suggests it will take time for the Elks to mesh. Both starting quarterbacks are athletic and dual threats. This one could be close, so the edge should go to the home team, especially with veteran kicker Sean Whyte. Pick: B.C. This report by Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press, was first published June 4, 2025.
National Post
6 days ago
- General
- National Post
B.C. Lions vs. Edmonton Elks features first CFL opening-week meeting of Canadian quarterbacks
It will be a historic CFL first Saturday night in Vancouver. Article content The B.C. Lions will host the Edmonton Elks at B.C. Place in the season opener for both teams. This will mark the first opening week featuring two Canadian starting quarterbacks (B.C.'s Nathan Rourke, Edmonton's Tre Ford) since 1968 and the first time it's occurred in the same game. Article content Article content The 2025 season will kick off Thursday night with the Ottawa Redblacks visiting the Saskatchewan Roughriders. On Friday night, the Toronto Argonauts begin their Grey Cup defence in Montreal versus the Alouettes before the Calgary Stampeders entertain the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday night. Article content Also of note in Vancouver, B.C.'s Buck Pierce and Edmonton's Mark Kilam will make their CFL head-coaching debuts. Article content Rourke, 27, of Victoria, rejoined the Lions last season following NFL stints with Jacksonville, New England, the New York Giants and Atlanta. He was the league's top Canadian in 2022 with B.C. Article content Ford, also 27, was Edmonton's '22 first-round pick out of Waterloo. The Hec Crighton Trophy winner from Niagara Falls, Ont., was 9-9 in 18 starts over the last three years before signing an extension with the CFL club this off-season. Article content Ford and Kilam are looking to lead Edmonton to the CFL playoffs for the first time since 2019. Pierce joined the Lions following 10 seasons as an assistant with Winnipeg, helping the Bombers make five straight Grey Cup appearances, winning in 2019 and '21. Article content Some other season-opening facts: Article content The overwhelming majority of players on CFL rosters are veterans. According to the league, just 67 of the 493 total players on teams are in their first year (13.6 per cent) compared to 93 at this time last year. Article content Article content Article content At Regina, the Redblacks struggled mightily on the road last season, posting a 2-7-0 record. But they were 6-3-1 versus West Division rivals. Dru Brown begins his second full season as Ottawa's starter and will have veteran receiver Eugene Lewis available. Lewis finished last season with touchdown catches in Edmonton's final eight games, leaving him two short of Terry Evanshen's league record. Veteran Trevor Harris gets the start for Saskatchewan, which is looking to improve upon last year's 5-4 home record and 4-3 mark against East rivals. Article content At Montreal, Davis Alexander begins his first full season as the Alouettes' starting quarterback. He was an impressive 4-0 last year while incumbent Cody Fajardo — who's now in Edmonton — was injured. Veteran Nick Arbuckle, last year's Grey Cup MVP, starts for the new-look Argos, who begin their title defence without many of the faces that played prominent roles in last year's championship. Chad Kelly, the CFL's '23 outstanding player, continues to recover from the serious leg injury he sustained in last year's East Division final.
National Post
6 days ago
- General
- National Post
Another injury forces Roughriders to shuffle lineup ahead of season opener
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are making a lineup change for Thursday's season opener as the Green and White host the Ottawa Redblacks in Week 1 of the CFL season. Article content With right guard Jacob Brammer heading to the one-game injured list with a back injury suffered in practice this week, rookie Payton Collins will make his CFL debut at left tackle while Trevon Tate moves to left guard and Zack Fry to right guard. Article content Article content Article content Logan Ferland will stay at centre with Jermarcus Hardrick manning the right tackle spot. Daniel Johnson will serve as the backup offensive lineman. Braydon Noll (head) has been placed on the one-game injured list. Article content Along with Collins making his pro debut, the Roughriders opening week lineup features three more CFL rookies as defensive lineman Ali Saad and fullback Morgan Runge are making their professional debuts while defensive lineman Aaron Patrick is making his CFL debut after previously playing in the NFL. Article content Other than that, the Roughriders lineup is filled with CFL veterans, including 35 players who spent time with the team last season. Article content In fact, that roster continuity was noticed throughout training camp and into Week 1 of practice. Article content 'Having that continuity and cohesion, it allows you to hit the ground (running) a little bit faster,' Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said this week. 'It allows you to move a little bit quicker earlier in camp, so that you kind of get up to speed to where you need to be to start the season. Article content Article content 'We're happy with the people that were retained in the building, coaches and players alike, to hopefully allow us to go out there and do what we're hoping to do on Thursday.' Article content Article content Quarterback Trevor Harris is back for his 13th season in the CFL and fourth with the Riders as he looks to continue to be one of the CFL's most accurate passers of all time. Article content 'Once we can get them in the open field and the ball to them on time, that's where I think we'll see some great things.' Article content Behind Harris, Jake Maier will serve as the backup with Tommy Stevens on the roster as the short-yardage specialist. Jack Coan has been placed on the one-game injured list as a healthy scratch. Article content Running back A.J. Ouellette returns for his second season in Green and White with veteran Thomas Bertrand-Hudon backing him up. Runge makes his debut at fullback with Albert Awachie (hip) heading to the one-game injured list.
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
2025 CFL season kicks off Thursday
Atlantic Watch A CFL insider from TSN chats with Brianne Foley about what to expect from the upcoming season opener.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Vancouver Bandits Kick Off Season with a Win
Vancouver Bandits Kick Off Season with a Win In Langley, CTV Morning Live discusses the Vancouver Bandits' first win this season with Head Coach & GM, Kyle Julius!
