Inside the CFL: Recounting an action packed first week of the CFL

By GRAHAM KELLY on June 16, 2022.

What a wacky, wonderful weekend to kickoff the 2022 CFL season. Three games went down to the wire while the fourth was historic and heart-warming. Everywhere I’ve gone folks are commenting on how exciting the games were and how they witnessed the CFL at its best.

That may be true in terms of entertainment but there were still the expected opening-night jitters.

According to the scoreboard B.C. looks like the most powerful team in the league, winning 59-15. But who knows? I can’t recall a worse looking Edmonton aggregation than the one on display last Saturday in Vancouver. The 59 points scored on them is the highest total in the Edmonton franchise’s history.

One bright spot for the green and gold was quarterback Nick Arbuckle completing 20 of 29 passes for 254 yards (69%). He had three interceptions. The offensive line surrendered four sacks, not bad when you consider the overwhelming pressure they were under. I still think the offence will be good. Right now, the defence is a disaster. They can’t possibly be any worse can they? We’ll get a better idea Saturday night when the Saskatchewan Roughriders come to Commonwealth Stadium. This week’s visitors are a better team than B.C.

But, my oh my, the Lions looked good. It has been ages since they’ve roared so loudly, and, importantly, they did it before a crowd of 34,082 patrons who took in a OneRepublic concert followed by the kick-off.

After being in a holding pattern for several years because late owner David Braley was trying to minimize his losses while the team was for sale, successor Amar Doman, one of the richest men in the country, is prepared to spend lots of money on marketing. CFL teams have to concentrate on getting young people into the park; fronting the game with a popular band was a great way to begin the regular season.

When the ball was kicked off, running back James Butler and Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke provided spectacular fireworks. Butler, who tallied three touchdowns all last season, scored four in the first half.

They weren’t one-yard plunges either. His rushing TDs were 36 and 21 yards respectively. He had two through the air. All-in-all he ran for 107 yards on 17 carries and was 6-for-6 in receptions for 33 more. The record for touchdowns in a game is six, set by Blue Bomber Bob McNamara in B.C., Oct. 13, 1956. Winnipeg won 40-8.

Making only his third career start as a pro, Rourke was nothing short of sensational, going 26/29 for 282 yards, three touchdowns and 78 yards rushing. His pass completion percentage of 89.7 was the second best in team history. (Casey Printers set the record of 90.9% August 13, 2004 in a 49-11 win at Hamilton).

He’s a leader who plays with great confidence. No wonder Hall-of-Famer Matt Dunigan said before the game, “I haven’t been this excited about a CFL QB in 20 years.”

The 24 year old Victoria native who played at Ohio University has a week off to get ready for the Toronto Argonauts, who will sail into English Bay June 25, the same day the Elks continue their migration of the damned in Calgary.

Speaking of whom, although overcoming a halftime 24-14 deficit to beat visiting Montreal 30-27, they didn’t look very sharp doing it.

Bo Levi Mitchell was inconsistent before leaving the game late in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. (He should be ready Saturday night in Hamilton). Backup Jake Maier came in and led the team to victory. Montreal took advantage of three rookies in the Stamps’ secondary to make big plays. That deficiency was soon corrected. The O-line gave up only one sack and helped Ka’Deem Carey rush for 60 yards. Don’t worry about the Stampeders. Just a little tweaking is required.

Saskatchewan thrilled the Mosaic Stadium crowd of 28,216 by scoring two majors late in the fourth quarter to defeat Hamilton 30-13. Coach Craig Dickenson was worried about his defence. He needn’t be. It is outstanding.

David Ottawa was leading Goliath Winnipeg 17-16 with a minute to go when the Redblacks employed the prevent defence, ceding enough short gains to allow the champs to kick the winning field goal.

Toronto, favoured to win the East, opens tonight against Montreal.