CFL offensive stats leaders revealing

AFI | American Football | 08/27/2019

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The Canadian Football League has past the halfway point with the classic Labor Day weekend clashes coming up.

This weekend, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will be playing host to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Edmonton Eskimos traveling down the road to face the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats welcoming the Toronto Argonauts to Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton.

If the stats leaders are any indication, the Edmonton Eskimos may have an edge in the final third of the season. With a varied attack, a key in crucial games, the Eskimos could be dangerous. Trevor Harris is the top passer in the CFL with his leading receiver, Ricky Collins, the number one WR in the league. But Eskimos RB CJ Gable is the second leading rusher.

While stats may not win games, they can indicate tendencies. Let’s take a look at the top individual performers in the CFL in 2017.

Passing

Edmonton Eskimos QB Trevor Harris has had an impressive season so far since his move from Ottawa and his 3,481 yards and 14 TDs tops the league. Despite his team’s dismal 1-9 record, Mike Reilly of the BC Lions is 2nd in passing yardage with 2,437 yards in 10 games. Following him in third is Toronto Argonauts QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson who has 2,256 yards and 14 TDs. Cody Fajardo of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who has started eight games, is 4th in passing yardage and has thrown for 2,112 yards while Calgary Stampeders QB Nick Arbuckle, also with eight starts, follows in 5th with his 2,103 yards and 11 TDs.

Rushing

Andrew Harris of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers leads the CFL in rushing with 908 yards while Edmonton’s CJ Gable is well behind in 2nd with 720 yards. William Stanback of the Alouettes has climbed up the list into 3rd with 611 yards while Saskatchewan Roughriders RB Willaim Powell is 4th. He has 597. BC Lions RB John White is 5th with 559 yards.

Receiving

With a prolific QB like Trevor Harris, it is no wonder that an Edmonton Eskimo leads the league in receiving yardage but almost as important also in YAC, yards after catch. Ricky Collins has been superb so far hauling in 50 passes for 760 yards and 334 YAC. Hamilton Tiger-Cats Brandon Banks is right behind with 753 yards while Bryan Brunham of the BC Lions is 3rd with 719 yards. Another Eskimos receiver, Greg Eillingson is 4th and has 710 yards while Calgary Stampeders top receiver, Reginald Begelton is 5th with 704.