Another exciting week of CFL action has come and gone, and once again, special teams units have proven to be game-changers. This week featured some incredible moments, including record-breaking field goals, kick return touchdowns and clutch game-winning kicks. Let's discuss how the CFL Special Teams units performed in this week's review;
Kickers
Kicker of the Week - Sergio Castillo (WPG)
There were only 16 field goals attempted this week, tying a season-low first seen in Week 3. There was only 1 miss this week, earning the kickers a collective completion percentage of 94%, the first time they’ve made over 90% of their field goals since Week 5. They also made all 17 of their convert attempts, bringing their collective streak to 62 PATs in a row. There were 3 field goals over 50 yards, including the second 60-yard field goal of the 2024 season. There were also 2 clutch, game-changing field goals. Here are the CFL Week 9 Kicker Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Rene Paredes (CGY) remains perfect on the year after going 4/4 on field goal attempts this week, including a long of 51 yards. He also made both his convert attempts. Paredes’ 41-yard field goal in the 4th quarter gave the Stampeders the lead, and his subsequent 49-yard field goal put the game out of reach for the Argos with just 30 seconds remaining.
Sergio Castillo (WPG) had an incredible bounce-back performance after missing a few short kicks last week. For the second time this season, he attempted and made 6 field goals, including 2 field goals over 50 yards. Castillo made history in the 2nd quarter by becoming the first kicker to make 2 60-yard field goals in a single season. He’s now made 7 field goals over 50 yards.
Slip-ups;
Brett Lauther (SSK) was perfect on all 3 of his converts this week, but field goals were another story. He was only able to make 1 of his 2 attempts, recording his 6th miss of the season, this time from just 42 yards away. It's odd that Lauther has yet to make a field goal over 49 yards, given how far he can kick. I wonder if this is a bad case of the yips or if there might be a lingering injury causing his attempts to miss the mark.
Punters
Punter of the Week - Jake Julien (EDM)
In Week 9, there were 52 punts recorded, with punters averaging 49 yards per attempt. This is the 7th week in a row where punters have averaged more than 48 yards per punt. There were 26 punts (50%) that travelled further than 50 yards, including a new season-long of 88 yards. Efficiency was at an all-time high as punters averaged a season-high of 38 net yards per punt. Punters recorded another season-high by keeping 17 punts (33%) inside the 20-yard line, including 5 punts inside the 10-yard line. There were 2 rouges scored this week, along with 2 shanks and 2 penalties. Here are the CFL Week 9 Punter Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Jake Julien (EDM) had one of the best performances of any punter in 2024, punting 6 times for an average of 52 yards and 39.3 net yards per punt. He pinned opponents deep with a season-high 5 punts (83%) inside the 20-yard line, including 2 that stayed inside the 10-yard line.
John Haggerty (TOR) punted 8 times for an incredible average of 58.9 yards per attempt, including an 88-yard punt, the longest seen in 2024. He averaged 40.9 net yards per punt, marking the 5th time Haggerty has recorded a net average over 40 yards. He also kept 3 punts (38%) inside the 20-yard line, bringing his total number of punts inside the 20 to 16, tied for the most in the CFL.
Cody Grace (CGY) punted 5 times for an average of 46.4 yards and 36 net yards per attempt. This is the first time in 2 weeks that Grace has averaged over 26 net yards per punt. He had 2 punts (40%) inside the 20-yard line, including 1 inside the 10-yard line.
Slip-ups;
Jamieson Shehan (WPG) really struggled this week, averaging just 37.2 yards and 32.8 net yards per punt, both well below his season average. He had 2 shanked punts that travelled less than 30 yards, including 1 that resulted in an illegal punt out-of-bounds penalty. His hot-and-cold performances won’t help him in the power rankings.
Kickoff Specialists
Kickoff Specialist of the Week - Boris Bede (EDM)
There were 30 kickoffs in Week 9, with specialists averaging 71.5 yards per attempt, the first time they have averaged over 70 yards per kickoff all season. There were 17 kickoffs (57%) that travelled further than 70 yards, including 2 kickoffs that went the full 100 yards, resulting in 2 rouges being scored for the first time in 2024. Kickoff specialists and their coverage units really shined this week with 13 kickoffs (43%) remaining inside the 30-yard line, the highest percentage of kickoffs pinning opponents deep in a given week. Here are the CFL Week 9 Kickoff Specialist Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Boris Bede (EDM) kicked off 6 times, averaging 72.2 yards per kickoff. He had 5 of his kickoffs (83%) travel over 70 yards, matching his season-high seen in Week 3. Bede kept 4 of his kickoffs (67%) inside the 30-yard line and currently leads the CFL in this category.
Rene Paredes (CGY) had his best game of 2024, kicking off 5 times for an average of 77.8 yards per attempt. He put up season-high numbers with 4 of his kickoffs (80%) travelling over 70 yards, including a 100-yard kickoff that resulted in his first rouge of the season. With a little help from the wind, Paredes kept 3 kickoffs (60%) inside the 30-yard line, matching his season high last seen in Week 5.
Sergio Castillo (WPG) totalled 213 yards across 3 kickoffs, averaging 71 yards per attempt. He had 2 kickoffs (67%) travelling over 70 yards and also kept 2 kickoffs inside the 30-yard line.
Slip-ups;
Brett Lauther (SSK) struggled on kickoffs for the second week in a row, averaging just 67.8 yards per attempt. He only had 1 kickoff travel 70 yards and none of his kickoffs remained inside the 30-yard line.
Long Snappers
Long Snapper of the Week - Mike Benson (WPG)
This week, there were 21 long snaps showcased in the CFL highlights, including 16 field goal snaps and 8 punt snaps. With 4 snaps recorded as off-mark, long snappers had a strike percentage of just 83%, their lowest total of 2024. There were 2 long snappers that recorded a tackle this week. Here are the CFL Week 9 Long Snapper Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Aaron Crawford (CGY) was perfect on all 4 of his field goal snaps this week, extending his strike streak to 11 snaps in a row. I am very impressed with the speed at which Crawford snaps the ball. His lightning-fast snaps stand out among CFL long snappers and certainly help his unit's operation time.
Mike Benson (WPG) had all 6 of his highlighted field goal snaps recorded as strikes this week. He continues to be one of the most consistent long snappers in the CFL and provided good protection for Castillo on his long-range attempts.
Slip-ups;
Gordon Whyte (HAM) only had 1 of his 2 punt snaps recorded as strikes this week. This marks the 4th consecutive week where Whyte has had a snap go off-target. He was able to record a tackle this week, increasing his total to 3 on the season.
Luke Burton-Krahn (EDM) recorded 2 balls this week when he delivered a high field goal snap and a low punt snap. He is the only long snapper with a total strike percentage under 80%, now sitting at 78% with 7 of his snaps recorded as balls.
Kickoff Returners
Kickoff Returner of the Week - Mario Alford (SSK)
There were 30 kickoff returns this week, with returners averaging 22.5 yards per return. Four returns (13%) travelled over 30 yards, including the most exciting special teams play of the week: a 101-yard kickoff return touchdown! Unfortunately, there were 2 fumbles on kickoff returns, with just 1 being recovered. Here are the CFL Week 9 Kickoff Returner Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Mario Alford (SSK) fumbled the opening kickoff but recovered the ball and returned it 101 yards for a touchdown. This was his first kickoff return touchdown of the season and boosts him into the second position in the power rankings. He will have to defend his #2 spot in Week 10 as DeVonte Dedmon is set to come off IR and return to play.
Ishmael Hyman (CGY) finally made a CFL game-day roster after performing incredibly well for the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers in 2023. He managed to gain 36 yards on his first CFL kickoff return. We will likely see more of Hyman if Calgary continues to suffer from injuries at the returner position.
Tanner Cadwallader (WPG) anticipated the Lion’s onside field goal attempt, securing the ball before a BC player could get their hands on it.
Slip-ups;
Janarion Grant (TOR) averaged only 18 yards across 3 kickoff returns. His longest of the night was 27 yards, which means he averaged just 13.5 yards on his remaining returns.
Kody Case (WPG) returned a single kickoff for just 16 yards.
Punt Returners
Punt Returner of the Week - Mario Alford (SSK)
Punt returners averaged 10.6 yards per return across 39 punt returns this week. They recorded 6 punt returns (15%) over 15 yards, including a long of 46 yards. For the first time in 2 weeks, there was no punt return touchdown. Here are the CFL Week 9 Punt Returner Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Mario Alford (SSK) returned 3 punts for a total of 76 yards, averaging 25.3 yards per return. He had 2 returns (67%) over 15 yards, including a 46-yard return, the longest of the week.
Cam Echols (CGY) returned 5 punts for the Stampeders this week, averaging 13.2 yards per carry. His longest return of the night travelled 23 yards.
Kody Case (WPG) impressed this week, returning 8 punts for an average of 10.9 yards per return. His numbers would look even more impressive if his 21-yard return wasn’t nullified by a penalty. While Case has yet to return a punt over 17 yards, he has shown quite a bit of explosiveness and likely will break off a big return soon.
Slip-ups;
Janarion Grant (TOR) averaged 7.3 yards across 3 punt returns, 8 yards lower than his season average. Calgary was not shy about their strategy against the league’s best punt returner, as they received 2 No-Yards penalties, opting to concede an automatic 15 yards instead of giving Grant room to make a play upfield.
Gavin Cobb (EDM) returned 4 punts but averaged only 6.3 yards per return.
Dillon Mitchell (EDM) returned 1 punt for just 2 yards. With Leake taking on a starting role at the running back position, the Elks are likely to experiment with new returners in the coming weeks.
Missed Field Goal Returners
There were no missed field goal returns this week, so there are no changes to the CFL Week 9 Missed Field Goal Returner Power Rankings;
Coverage Teams
Coverage Team of the Week - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Coverage units played well this week, allowing an average of just 15.8 yards across all 69 returns. They allowed an average of 10.6 yards across 39 punt returns, a yard lower than the season average, and an average of 22.5 yards over 30 kickoff returns, aligning closely with the season average of 22.2 yards allowed. For the second week in a row, coverage units only received 15 penalties, totalling 151 penalty yards, about 30 yards lower than the weekly average of 186 penalty yards. There were no turnovers and no blocked kicks or punts. Here are the CFL Week 9 Coverage Team Power Rankings;
Standouts;
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers allowed an average of just 7.3 yards on 3 punt returns and 22.3 yards on 3 kickoff returns. While they received their first special teams penalty in 2 weeks, they continue to be the most impressive coverage unit in the CFL.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats allowed an average of 8.5 yards across 4 punt returns, 4.6 yards lower than their season average. They also allowed just 15.7 yards over 3 kickoff returns, an improvement compared to their season average of 22 yards allowed per kickoff return. Dennis McKnight, the Ticats' special teams coordinator, has really whipped this unit into shape over the last few weeks.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders played well this week, allowing an average of just 13.5 yards across all 11 returns. Impressively, they did not receive a single penalty on special teams for the first time all season.
Slip-ups;
The Edmonton Elks struggled significantly this week, allowing an average of 25.3 yards on 3 punt returns and 32.8 yards across 6 kickoff returns. This was their worst performance of the season by a large margin.
Individual Special Teams Tackles
Special Teams Player of the Week - Melique Straker (SSK)
There were 62 special teams tackles made in Week 9, slightly above the weekly average of 61 tackles. Special teams players received 13 penalties this week for a total of 146 yards, slightly higher than the weekly average of 135 penalty yards. Here are the CFL Week 9 Special Teams Tackles Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Melique Straker (SSK) recorded 4 special teams tackles this week, tied for the most special teams tackles by a single player in any given week.
Leon O’Neal Jr. (EDM) recorded 3 special teams tackles this week and is now just 1 tackle away from being tied for the most special teams tackles on the Edmonton Elks. Hopefully, O’Neal Jr. can continue this production and become the standout special teams player the Elks desperately need.
Slip-ups;
Tanner Cadwallader (WPG) received his first penalty of the season for an illegal block on a return.
Amir Siddiqi (BC) received a 10-yard objectionable conduct penalty.
Evan Holm (WPG) received an 11-yard unnecessary roughness penalty.
Thank you for taking the time to read my work.
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