CFL
For the most part quarterbacks had offences moving in Week 9. Only one team failed to score less than 20 points (BC) while four put up 30 or more. Young pivots Zach Collaros, Bo Levi Mitchell and Trevor Harris continued to play well. And an elder statesman put up 400 yards through the air for the first time since September 2013. It’s time for the QB Scorecard.
1) Zach Collaros, Ticats
Week 9 stats: 17-29, 300 yards, 3 TD; 2 carries, 12 yards, 1 TD
Collaros capitalized on takeaways by Hamilton’s defence and led the offence to the end zone six times. He carved up an Edmonton pass defence that was ranked first (216.4 yards) in the CFL coming into Week 9.
2) Bo Levi Mitchell, Stampeders
Week 9 stats: 23-35, 303 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Calgary’s gunslinger chalked up his third 300-yard passing performance in four games. Mitchell went into a hostile environment and made throws when he needed most to ensure a Stampeders victory.
3) Henry Burris, REDBLACKS
Week 9 stats: 32-36, 426 yards
Hank had season highs with an 88.9 per cent completion rate and 426 yards through the air against the Argos, but Ottawa only managed two touchdown drives on offence. It was a productive performance from Burris. That said he couldn’t overcome some bad Ottawa penalties to push the Redblacks to a win.
4) Trevor Harris, Argos
Week 9 stats: 21-31, 266 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
It wasn’t the cleanest outing from Harris but once again he showed his mental strength and fought back from a pick-six early in the fourth to help the Argonauts rally for a victory.
5) Brett Smith, Riders
Week 9 stats: 13-24, 178 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
There were a lot of positives to take from Smith’s showing against a veteran Calgary defence like making plays with his arm and feet. However, Smith needs to learn to avoid turnovers – he’s thrown at least one interception in his first three career starts.
6) James Franklin, Eskimos
Week 9 stats: 22-36, 254 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 4 carries, 61 yards
When Franklin entered the game against Hamilton the score was 28-6, that’s a tough position for any quarterback to be in let alone a rookie. He was pretty accurate and led two touchdown drives, but it was too little, too late for Edmonton.
7) Rakeem Cato, Alouettes
Week 9 stats: 16-19, 154 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Montreal utilized a run-heavy game plan in BC, which took some pressure off Cato. It was a game-manager type of effort from the Alouettes rookie QB.
8) Travis Lulay, Lions
Week 9 stats: 18-29, 216 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Lulay struggled to consistently sustain drives versus a tough Montreal defence. He needs to find a rhythm and help BC pull out of a 1-4 tailspin.
9) Matt Nichols, Eskimos
Week 9 stats: 12-19, 138 yards, 1 INT
Nichols threw an interception on the opening drive and that allowed Hamilton to continue doing what they’ve done of late: pounce on teams early and jump out to a big lead quickly. He never recovered and found himself on the bench before the opening half was over.
CFL Starters
Justin Dunk is picking his best lineup based on Week 9’s results. With the game on the line, who’s making his starting depth chart this week?
Offence:
QB – Zach Collaros
RB – Tyrell Sutton, Matt Walter
WR – Derel Walker, Terrell Sinkfield, Eric Rogers, Luke Tasker
OL – Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Defence:
DL – Montreal Alouettes
LB – Taylor Reed, Chip Cox Tyron Brackenridge
HB – Brandon Smith, Jerrell Gavins
DB – AJ Jefferson, Jonathan Hefney
S – Mike Daly
