Not a single quarterback in Week 11 finished with a passing yardage total in the 300s, that’s because Zach Collaros put up a career-high 400 yards and every other pivot had 251 yards or less. Some performances were efficient, but some were downright ugly. Let’s see where all the signal callers rank on the Labour Day weekend edition of the QB Scorecard.
1) Zach Collaros, Ticats
Week 11 stats: 26-38, 400 yards, 4 TD; 4 carries, 22 yards
After Collaros shredded Toronto in the Battle of Ontario you could’ve sworn the smoke billowing from the nearby smokestacks was coming from his right arm. No. 4 was on fire from the opening kick-off to the final whistle for Hamilton, leading the Ticats to a decisive Labour Day win.
2) Brett Smith, Riders
Week 11 stats: 19-25, 211 yards, 1 TD; 7 carries, 59 yards
For the first time in five career starts Smith didn’t throw an interception and that was vitally important in Saskatchewan earning their first win of 2015. If Smith has more steady efforts like he had on Labour Day weekend, the Riders could get themselves in the playoff race.
3) Bo Levi Mitchell, Stampeders
Week 11 stats: 24-36, 251 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
On Labour Day Monday Mitchell put forth a workmanlike performance for Calgary. It wasn’t spectacular, but the gunslinger’s blue collar outing helped get the Stamps a victory.
4) John Beck, Lions
Week 11 stats: 14-22, 114 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Travis Lulay went down in the first quarter and Beck stepped in and threw a couple of touchdowns in Montreal. Coming off the bench cold is never easy, but if Beck is going to be the starter with Lulay out he needs to cut down the mistakes.
5) Trevor Harris, Argos
Week 11 stats: 24-34, 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
From the get-go Harris just didn’t look comfortable at Tim Hortons Field on Monday. Yes, it’s not an easy environment to play in, but we’ve come to expect more from Toronto’s current No. 1 pivot.
6) Mike Reilly, Eskimos
Week 11 stats: 5-12, 90 yards
When I talked to Reilly before the Labour Day showdown with Calgary I got a strong gut feeling that he would be in the game at some point. Sure enough, Edmonton’s franchise quarterback saw action in the fourth quarter. He was a dropped pass and extra point away from putting the Eskies in the lead.
7) Brian Brohm, Bombers
Week 11 stats: 21-26, 184 yards
Brohm’s improved completion rate was a positive in Riderville, but he wasn’t able to put together a long scoring drive until the game was already decided inside the final three minutes. Dump downs don’t equal first downs.
8) James Franklin, Eskimos
Week 11 stats: 13-28, 105 yards
Calgary seemed to confuse the rookie pivot in the Battle of Alberta, but I bet he’ll learn from it and get better. Franklin possesses plenty of potential.
9) Tanner Marsh, Alouettes
Week 11 stats: 16-30, 103 yards, 5 INT
Don’t look now but Marsh just might have tossed another interception. There is no way to sugar-coat a terrible game from Marsh. Repeatedly throwing into double and triple coverage just never ends well.
CFL Starters
Justin Dunk is picking his best lineup based on Week 10’s results. With the game on the line, who’s making his starting depth chart this week?
Offence:
QB – Zach Collaros
RB – Jerome Messam, Ray Holley
WR – Terrell Sinkfield, Terrence Toliver, Eric Rogers, Luke Tasker
OL – Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Defence:
DL – Calgary Stampeders
LB – Simoni Lawrence, JC Sherritt, Tyron Brackenridge
HB – Terrell Maze, Ryan Phillips
DB – Patrick Watkins, Courtney Stephen
S – Eric Fraser
