CFL Notebook

Deatrick Nichols of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Nathan Rourke of the B.C. Lions were named the CFL’s top performers Tuesday.

Nichols, a veteran defensive back, earned top defensive honours with a grade of 92.3.

He had two tackles, two pass knockdowns and an interception over 47 total snaps in Winnipeg’s 31-10 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Nichols registered a grade of 91.1 on 39 coverage snaps.

Rourke earned the top offensive player award with a grade of 89.7. The Lions quarterback completed 20 of 24 passes for 218 yards in a 32-15 victory over Calgary while rushing three times for 23 yards.

Players in nine specific positions are highlighted as per data points registered and compiled by Pro Football Focus, a sports analytics company.

Winnipeg’s offensive line was also tops with an overall grade of 80.8. The unit’s three best performers were Liam Dobson (78.8), Chris Kolankowski (76.2) and Eric Lofton (74.8).

Dobson was also the top-graded individual offensive lineman.

The other top performers included running back Brady Oliveira (79.9) and Nic Demski (73.9), both of Winnipeg, Saskatchewan defensive lineman Bryan Cox Jr. (90.3), Bombers linebacker Redha Kramdi (81.2), returner Loucheiz Purifoy (68.4) and kicker/punter Jake Julen (78.2), both of Edmonton, and Hamilton special-teams player Trevor Hoyte (90.2).

The Ottawa Redblacks signed veteran Canadian kicker Lewis Ward to a three-year contract extension Tuesday.

Ward, 32, is in his sixth season with Ottawa.

The five-foot-seven, 176-pound kicker has made 48 of 54 field goals (88.9 per cent) and 20 of 21 converts in 15 regular-season games this year.

Ward, who played collegiately at the University of Ottawa, has made 255 of 289 career field goals (88.2 per cent).

“I’m excited and grateful to be able to extend my playing career here in Ottawa for another three years and be a part of such a great organization,” Ward said in a release.

“I’m thankful to (general manager) Shawn Burke and (coach) Bob Dyce and the rest of the coaching staff who believe in me to continue to play at a high level, be a leader on this team, and bring us more success in the future, building off of what we have done so far.”

Ottawa (8-6-1) is currently second in the East Division standings and has clinched its first playoff berth since 2018.

TORONTO – He’s set a career high for receptions and is closing in on new rushing mark but Ka’Deem Carey’s biggest accomplishment this season has been staying healthy.

The veteran running back has dressed for all 15 of the Toronto Argonauts regular-season games after injuries limited him to just nine contests last season with Calgary. Carey is currently third in CFL rushing with 966 yards and needs just 123 to establish a new career high. And if he runs for four more TDs, Carey would tie his previous single-season best of 10, also recorded in ’22.

However Carey has much more to play for than personal accomplishments. Toronto (8-7) is just one point behind second-place Ottawa (8-6-1) in the East Division with both teams having three regular-season games remaining, including a key matchup Oct. 19 at BMO Field.

Montreal (11-3-1) has clinched first in the East and home field for the division final Nov. 9. But the second-place finisher hosts the semifinal game Nov. 2.

Toronto visits Winnipeg (10-6 record) on Friday night. The Bombers have won eight straight and with a win or tie would clinch first in the West Division. The Argos are also just four points ahead of idle Hamilton (6-10) in the East Division but with a win or tie would eliminate the Tiger-Cats from playoff contention.

Ottawa visits Montreal on Monday before facing Toronto on five days rest.

Toronto and Ottawa finish their regular-season schedules Oct. 25. The Argos visit Edmonton while the Redblacks host Hamilton.

(Canadian Press)