Does anyone else get the shivers when they first see a “back-to-school” commercial on television?
I heard my first one on the radio last week and it always takes me back to when I was 10 years old dreading the first day back.
I want to apologize as this column is all about the theme of learning which can trigger those who were not thrilled going shopping for new school supplies.
EVEN DAVIS ALEXANDER CAN MAKE MISTAKES (BUT NOT MANY)
And by “not many” I mean one. Davis Alexander had just one mistake in the Montreal Alouettes’ 46-16 victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
After Jake Maier guided his team on a long touchdown drive to start the game, Alexander had Tyler Snead wide open on a very makeable second-and-short, but, shockingly, he short-hopped the throw, forcing Montreal to punt the ball away. It has gotten to the point where it is almost jarring to see the game’s best quarterback not hit his man.
After throwing that incompletion, I wondered if Jason Mass would bring in Dustin Crum to see if he could spark the offence. Order was, of course, restored on the team’s next drive, as Alexander started with a cliché “in the breadbasket” completion to Cole Spieker for 38 yards and would complete his next four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown to, of course, Tyson Philpot.
Davis was basically perfect after that initial throw.
I feel bad for punter Joseph Zema. Alexander is being kinda rude playing so well and not letting Zema do his job.
One final note, though I did not have access to Mass or his coaching staff after the game, I am just going to assume the presence of Crum late in the game is not an indicator we will see him get the start next week against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. If you haven’t guessed, I’m having a hard time coming up with new and inventive ways of talking about Montreal’s starting quarterback.
DEFENSIVE BACK J.J. ROSS’ FIRST QUARTER WAS KEY TO EDMONTON’S WIN
There were plenty of takeaways from the Elks’ 22-19 comeback win over Winnipeg. What stood out for me was the Elks’ third-year defensive back.
The Blue Bombers’ opening drive was an impressive one. Mixing short completions with Brady Oliveira battering up the middle, Zach Collaros had his team on a 10-play drive down to the Edmonton seven-yard line. But on the 11th play, which was a deep shot to Ontaria Wilson, Ross timed his jump correctly and knocked the ball away, thwarting a potential touchdown. J.J. was on an island against Wilson. This was a high-degree-of-difficulty play. Instead, Winnipeg had to settle for a short, 15-yard field goal.
The next time the Bombers had the ball, Oliveira broke loose, and, for a moment, it looked like he had the real estate for a long touchdown run. However, in swooped Ross to make the tackle at the 12-yard line. If we are being honest, this is not a tackle that will go on Ross’ highlight reel. He just got in Oliveira’s way, forcing him to fall down. But it got the job done and Winnipeg would end up with zero points, as they would turn the ball over on downs on an incomplete pass from Collaros to Nic Demski.
Mike O’Shea’s team could have been up 14-0 late in the first quarter if not for Ross.
JAKE CERESNA HAS A MOTOR
Yeah, I know, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. I like to use this space to highlight the little moments you may have missed.
Go back and watch the 16-yard Justin Rankin catch-and-run on the Elks’ final drive. The hard part will be taking your eyes off of Rankin, as he fooled Jaiden Woodbey and Major Williams soon after catching the pass, and then broke another tackle before finally being taken down.
So who made the tackle? It was the two-time All-CFLer Ceresna.
Jake, lined up at defensive tackle at the snap of the ball, kept working and tracked down Rankin. I understand the bigger story was Rankin putting up 141 total yards on 23 touches, but you have to appreciate the hustle.
ARGONAUTS FANS ARE A HEARTY BUNCH
I can feel the rest of Canada giving me a collective eye roll at this one.
Yes, we are the “big city” and with that comes all the cliches, many of which are deserved. I don’t need to be reminded that back in 1999 we needed the army to help shovel us out of a winter storm.
But did you see the crowd on Saturday night at BMO Field?
The game was delayed for over an hour because of lightning, the field was a slip and slide, and the overall conditions were a soggy mess of rain. Every fan who stuck it out deserved a free Cotton Candy Wafflelicious from the CNE.
It should be noted that despite the monsoon, these teams did combine for nearly 60 points and 835 total yards.
DANIEL JOHNSON MAY BE THE SCARIEST “RECEIVER” IN THE LEAGUE
BIG MAN CAN MOVE! 😮💨
Daniel Johnson doing it all for the Riders!
🗓️: Roughriders vs. Lions LIVE NOW
📺: TSN and CFL+#CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/Cd9rGE6Dvb— CFL (@CFL) August 24, 2026
It is one thing to see a tackle-eligible pass play at the goal line, but it is something entirely different when it is executed at midfield.
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one shocked to see the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ second-year offensive lineman motion out to the wide side of the field midway through the third quarter with his team at their own 52-yard line.
This wasn’t some sort of novelty play either.
Harris immediately targeted the wide-open guard who collected the pass and broke a T.J. Lee tackle on his way to a 17-yard reception. Daniel looked so comfortable on the play! He ran the right route, jumped over Lee and had the entire TSN broadcast crew mesmerized.
I hope this is not the last time Corey Mace calls this play.
Side note: with there being about a 120-pound difference in size, I wonder if Johnson is the biggest player Lee has ever had to tackle in his 12-year career?
