Week 17 of the CFL season has come and gone, which means it’s time to recognize its highs and lows. The four-game slate featured a hotly-contested game from two top teams in the East Division, a second straight win for Saskatchewan, another collapse from B.C., and a career day for a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Below we’ve recognized the best and worst performances of the week from across the country. These awards are selected by 3DownNation’s contributors and will be presented weekly throughout the 2024 season. Enjoy.
Offensive player of the week: QB Zach Collaros, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The two-time CFL M.O.P. has been in the league for well over a decade but had the best game of his career against Edmonton on Friday, connecting on 21-of-26 pass attempts for 432 yards and six touchdowns. Collaros had a negative touchdown-to-interception ratio of 9-to-14 heading into Week 17 and reversed it in only one game as it now stands at 15-14. It was an unforgettable night at Princess Auto Stadium as Collaros hit Kenny Lawler (twice), Nic Demski (twice), Keric Wheatfall, and Brady Oliveira for scores.
Honourable mention: QB Bo Levi Mitchell, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Defensive player of the week: DB Rolan Milligan Jr., Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan’s defence gave the Redblacks fits for most of their matchup this past weekend and boundary halfback Rolan Milligan Jr. was a big part of the reason why. The former NFLer made four tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception against Ottawa and now leads the league with seven picks. The takeaway occurred deep in Saskatchewan territory, likely taking points off the board for the visitors at Mosaic Stadium.
Honourable mention: DB Stavros Katsantonis, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
100 YARD PUNT RETURN TD 🤯 @JJ_Letcher#CFLGameday on TSN & RDS
📲: Stream on CFL+ pic.twitter.com/LmQ3WgFHuu— CFL (@CFL) September 29, 2024
Special teams player of the week: KR James Letcher Jr., Montreal Alouettes
The second-year returner caught a punt from John Haggerty near the right sideline just before halftime on Saturday and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. It didn’t initially appear as though Letcher Jr. had any room to run but he followed a great block from Kerfalla Exumé and broke contain up the sideline, outrunning a diving Derek Parish to paydirt. The 25-year-old finished the game with eight returns for 230 yards.
Honourable mention: K Lirim Hajrullahu, Toronto Argonauts
Breakout player of the week: REC Dhel Duncan-Busby, Saskatchewan Roughriders
There were a large number of qualified candidates for this award this week but it had to go to the rookie receiver, who made seven catches for 92 yards in his first career start. The native of Vancouver, B.C. was a third-round pick in the 2024 CFL Draft out of Bemidji State University and has spent most of the year on Saskatchewan’s six-game injured list or practice roster before finally getting his shot against Ottawa. He made the most of it, so much so that it might be hard for the Riders to take him out of the lineup.
Honourable mention: DL Aidan John, Ottawa Redblacks
Offensive line of the week: Toronto Argonauts
The Boatmen were forced to shuffle their offensive line this past week following an injury to left tackle Isiah Cage and the unit rose to the occasion against a tough Montreal defensive front. Ryan Hunter, Dylan Giffen, Peter Nicastro, Anthony Vandal, and Dejon Allen helped Ka’Deem Carey, Daniel Adeboboye, and Deonta McMahon combine for 26 carries, 196 rushing yards and two touchdowns along the ground and held the Alouettes to two sacks, launching Toronto to a 37-31 win.
Honourable mention: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Coach of the week: OC Buck Pierce, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
When an individual coaches their unit to 48 points, 526 net yards, 24 first downs, and zero turnovers, this award is an easy pick. Pierce, who also serves as Winnipeg’s quarterbacks coach, clearly put together an exceptional game plan and called the perfect plays at the perfect times to help Zach Collaros have a career day. The Blue Bombers are in a great spot to clinch first place in the West Division and, if Pierce’s offence can continue to improve, the team has a very good chance of returning to the Grey Cup.
Honourable mention: STC Byron Archambault, Montreal Alouettes
Incredible balance from @bradyoliveira to increase the @Wpg_BlueBombers lead. #CFLGameDay LIVE on @TSN_Sports & @CBSSportsNet
📱: Stream on CFL+ pic.twitter.com/QfToNQTsP4— CFL (@CFL) September 28, 2024
Best play of the week: RB Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Oliveira has been in pursuit of the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award all season and this play might have been just what he needed to put him over the top. The Winnipeg native caught a check-down pass from Zach Collaros and followed a block by Kenny Lawler before spinning off contact from defensive backs Devodric Bynum and Kordell Jackson, somehow maintaining his balance. After powering through a would-be tackle from safety Loucheiz Purifoy, Oliveira was in the end zone. It wasn’t merely the best play of the week but arguably the best play of the year.
Honourable mention: REC Kenny Lawler, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Worst play of the week: REC Keaton Bruggeling, Ottawa Redblacks
Trailing by nine points early in the fourth quarter, Jeremiah Masoli broke contain and sprinted to his left while searching for a target downfield. The veteran quarterback found little-used Canadian receiver Keaton Bruggeling in the end zone and fired a perfect pass to his stomach. Bruggeling, who’d found a hole in coverage between two members of Saskatchewan’s secondary, was unable to make the catch, forcing his team to settle for a field goal at a key juncture of the game.
Honourable mention: FB James Tuck, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Best game of the week: Montreal Alouettes at Toronto Argonauts
This game marked Montreal’s first return to BMO Field since last year’s shocking East Final blowout and it lived up to the hype as the teams combined for 68 points and four lead changes. Toronto’s offence fired on all cylinders, generating 517 net yards, though Cody Fajardo threw two touchdown passes for the Alouettes and James Letcher Jr. returned a punt 100 yards for a touchdown. If these two teams meet again in the playoffs, expect another good game.
Honourable mention: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at B.C. Lions
Worst game of the week: Ottawa Redblacks at Saskatchewan Roughriders
There’s plenty of animosity between these two teams, both of which are still looking to punch their ticket to the postseason after missing out a year ago. Instead of bringing their respective A games, this matchup ended up being pretty sloppy and never felt particularly in doubt as the Riders led the whole time. The only particularly memorable aspect of this game, unfortunately, was the controversial hits from Ottawa defensive back Money Hunter and Saskatchewan defensive back Deontai Williams.
Honourable mention: Edmonton Elks at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
