CFL stats and facts - week two
Published on June 22, 2006 under Canadian Football League (CFL) News Release
Toronto, ON (June 22, 2006) - The 2006 CFL season enters Week #2 starting on Friday as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers play host to the Toronto Argonauts at Canad Inns Stadium.
The Bombers will look to capitalize on this season's early trend of home field advantage. The four victories last weekend came from teams playing in their own backyard. The last time all home teams in the opening week of the season were victorious was back in 1993.
Here's a look at this week's match-ups:
TORONTO ARGONAUTS vs. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Game Day: Friday, June 23 Location: Canad Inns Stadium Game Time: 8:00 ET TV Broadcast: TSN
The Breakdown
- Spergon Wynn returns to play against his former club. This past spring, the Bombers sent Wynn to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for non-import safety Michael Crumb (since retired) and their second round selection in the 2006 Canadian Draft.
- Wynn came into last week's contest after starting quarterback Damon Allen left the game with a broken finger on his throwing hand. In Allen's absence Wynn led the Argos to a 27-17 victory, completing 18 of 28 passes for 224 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
- Also playing against his former team is kick return specialist Keith Stokes.
- After leading the Bombers to a 17-7 advantage through three quarters, quarterback Kevin Glenn threw two picks in the final frame, allowing Montreal to rally back and beat the Bombers 27-17.
- Early struggles by Glenn and the offence could lead to backup QB Brad Banks entering the game.
- Bombers slotback Milt Stegall's pursuit of 'Mission 137', the career record for touchdowns currently held by Mike Pringle and George Reed, will continue this Friday. In last week's game it appeared that Stegall inched a little closer, only to have the touchdown called back on a holding penalty.
- Ricky Williams enters his second CFL regular season contest after rumbling for 97 yards in his debut. With Allen out, look for Williams to get a few more touches.
The last time...
...These two clubs met was on October 16 of last year in Winnipeg. The Argos squeaked by the Blue Bombers on a Noel Prefontaine 20-yard field goal with no time remaining on the clock, giving Toronto a 35-32 victory.
...Charles Roberts lined-up against the Argos he ran for 176 yards on 24 carries and scored one major.
...Wide receivers Andre Talbot, Arland Bruce and Tony Miles lined-up against the Bombers they combined for 356 receiving yards and one touchdown.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES vs. HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Game Day: Saturday, June 24 Location: Ivor Wynne Stadium Game Time: 7:00 ET TV Broadcast: CBC
The Breakdown...
- After an impressive pre-season, the Tiger-Cats fell short to the Argos and opened the season with a tough Division loss.
- Montreal has won all three games this season (including exhibition), all coming against the Blue Bombers.
- Hamilton slotback Terry Vaughn will face his former team as he approaches the record for most career pass receptions. Vaughn hauled in six receptions last week and remains 20 shy of the all-time mark held by Darren Flutie (972).
- Despite winning their 10th straight season opener last week, the Als offence struggled. Quarterback Anthony Calvillo was held to just 205 yards passing on 22 completions and threw one interception. Both Montreal touchdowns were scored by running back Robert Edwards after defensive back Chip Cox intercepted two Glenn passes and provided the offence with great field position.
The last time....
...Montreal played at Ivor Wynne Stadium was on November 4 of last season. Although, Hamilton came away with 15-9 victory, it's not an accurate barometer for this week's match-up considering the Tiger-Cats off-season acquisitions as well as the circumstances surrounding last year's game.
...Montreal registered six sacks in one game was September 17, 2005 against the BC Lions when they brought down QB Dave Dickenson seven times.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS vs. EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Game Day: Saturday, June 24 Location: Commonwealth Stadium Game Time: 10:00 ET TV Broadcast: TSN
The Breakdown...
- The last five Grey Cup Champions have started the following season with a loss, including the Eskimos who lost last week 24-14 to the Stampeders.
- Stampeders running back Joffrey Reynolds came roaring out of the gates, rumbling for 153 yards. Last season Reynolds was second in the League in rushing with 1,453 yards.
- Edmonton quarterback Ricky Ray had a strong game in Week #1 throwing for 393 yards and two touchdowns on 33 completions.
- The story of the game last weekend was Edmonton turnovers. The Eskimos turned the ball over seven times (including three turnovers on downs).
- The story line was similar the last time these two clubs met. In the Scotiabank West Semifinal, Edmonton defeated Calgary 33-26, highlighted by seven Calgary turnovers (one turnover on downs).
The last time....
...A Grey Cup Champion won their season opener was in 2001, as BC kicked off the season with a 35-28 overtime victory against the Eskimos.
...Calgary opened the season with a victory was in 2004 as they defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 33-10.
- continued -
...Edmonton began the campaign with a loss was in 2004 as they were clobbered 33-9 by the Alouettes.
...Calgary got off to a 2-0 start was in 2000. They completed the season with best record in the West Division at 12-5-1.
...Edmonton began the season with two straight losses was in 2004, Tom Higgins last year as head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos.
BC LIONS vs. SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Game Day: Sunday, June 25 Location: Taylor Field Game Time: 7:00 ET TV Broadcast: TSN
The Breakdown...
- BC Lions quarterback Dave Dickenson threw five touchdowns last week against the Roughriders and was named the Rogers Offensive Player of the Week.
- The key to the Lions success this year will be the play of their offensive line and their ability to protect Dickenson. Over the past two seasons he has only dressed for 24 regular season games.
- BC allowed a League-high in sacks last season (74).
- Saskatchewan quarterback Kerry Joseph enters this season with a fortified offensive line, something he has not played behind in his entire career.
- In his 'Rider debut last week, Joseph posted an average outing, rushing for 66 yards and adding 245 through the air.
- In the absence of the 2005 combined yards leader Corey Holmes, the 'Riders continued to top the chart in this category through Week #1. Sophomore running back Dominique Dorsey stepped in and racked up 282 combined yards and was crowned the Rogers Special Teams Player of the Week.
- Last week Joseph managed to keep the ball out of the hands of former Ottawa teammate and 2005 interception leader Korey Banks.
The last time...
...Dickenson threw for five touchdowns in one game was on August 22, 2003 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
...These two clubs met in the regular season was on November 5, 2005 in BC. The 'Riders edged the Lions 13-12.
...The Lions traveled to Regina to take on the Roughriders was on August 27, a 19-15 victory for BC.
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