{"id":46292,"date":"2025-08-05T05:11:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T05:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/46292\/"},"modified":"2025-08-05T05:11:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T05:11:09","slug":"3downnation-cfl-awards-the-best-and-worst-of-week-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/46292\/","title":{"rendered":"3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 9"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Photo: Darcy Finley\/CFL.ca<\/p>\n

Week 9 of the 2025 CFL regular season has come and gone. Before we get into Week 10, which will feature two divisional matchups and two interdivisional matchups, let\u2019s first take a look back at the standout performers, plays, and games from the week that was.<\/p>\n

These awards are selected by\u00a03DownNation\u2019s\u00a0contributors and will be presented weekly throughout the 2025 season. Enjoy.<\/p>\n

Offensive player of the week: REC Damonte Coxie, Toronto Argonauts<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old is now the CFL\u2019s leading receiver after a second-straight dominant outing against Winnipeg. This week, Coxie caught nine passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns to help his team put up 31 points at Princess Auto Stadium. Though it wasn\u2019t enough to get the win, the Reserve, La. is only 86 yards away from recording a new career-high \u2014 and he\u2019s only played eight games so far this season.<\/p>\n

Honourable mention: QB Bo Levi Mitchell, Hamilton Tiger-Cats<\/p>\n

Defensive player of the week: DL Willie Jefferson, Winnipeg Blue Bombers<\/p>\n

It seems safe to say the six-time All-CFL selection has shaken off a slow start to the season after he recorded four defensive tackles, one sacks, one forced fumble, and four pass knockdowns against Toronto. The six-foot-six, 245-pound defender was directly responsible for a Blue Bombers touchdown \u2014 his forced fumble was returned for a score by rookie Jay Person \u2014 without which they may not have snapped a three-game losing skid.<\/p>\n

Honourable mention: DL Shane Ray, Saskatchewan Roughriders<\/p>\n

Special teams player of the week: KR Trey Vaval, Winnipeg Blue Bombers<\/p>\n

The rookie out of Minnesota State was dominant against the Argonauts, becoming the 17th player in CFL history to record two return touchdowns in the same game. Vaval\u2019s first score came on a 93-yard kickoff return in the first quarter, followed by a 97-yard punt return touchdown in the second quarter. Only two members of the Blue Bombers have ever recorded two kick return touchdowns in the same game: Vaval and Janarion Grant.<\/p>\n

Honourable mention: K Jose Maltos, Montreal Alouettes<\/p>\n

Breakout player of the week: KR Trey Vaval, Winnipeg Blue Bombers<\/p>\n

The 24-year-old has officially put the league on notice as he now sits first in punt return yardage and third in kickoff return yardage. Vaval has also seen spot duty at cornerback \u2014 he replaced a bench Marquise Bridges two weeks ago, then an injured Jamal Parker last week \u2014 but he\u2019s clearly proven himself to be a difference-maker in the return game. It wouldn\u2019t be a surprise if opponents started kicking away from him, as Toronto started to do partway through last week\u2019s game.<\/p>\n

Honourable mention: LB Aaron Casey, Toronto Argonauts<\/p>\n

Offensive line of the week: Hamilton Tiger-Cats<\/p>\n

The unit of Brendan Bordner, Brandon Revenberg, Coulter Woodmansey, Liam Dobson, and Quinton Barrow was excellent against Edmonton, allowing only one sack and helping Bo Levi Mitchell throw for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Hamilton also had a decent day along the ground as Greg Bell rushed 13 times for 55 yards and one touchdown. This is the second straight week that the Tiger-Cats have won this award.<\/p>\n

Honourable mention: Saskatchewan Roughriders<\/p>\n

Coach of the week: OC Marc Mueller, Saskatchewan Roughriders<\/p>\n

Montreal\u2019s defence entered Week 9 ranked first in yards allowed per play and the Riders lit them up for 34 points. Trevor Harris threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns, while A.J. Ouellette, Mario Anderson, and Tommy Stevens combined for 135 rushing yards and one score. Saskatchewan sits atop the league standings at 7-1 and Marc Mueller\u2019s offence is one of the main reasons why.<\/p>\n

Honourable mention: HC Bob Dyce, Ottawa Redblacks<\/p>\n

BACK SHOULDER BEAUTY!<\/p>\n

Trevor Harris connects with KeeSean Johnson for the score! #CFLGameDay<\/a>
\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f: @sskroughriders<\/a> vs. Alouettes LIVE NOW!
\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6: TSN, RDS
\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8: CBSSN
\ud83c\udf0e: CFL+ pic.twitter.com\/hMmFBRkLKj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CFL (@CFL) August 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Best play of the week: QB Trevor Harris, Saskatchewan Roughriders<\/p>\n

This is one of the prettiest touchdown passes you\u2019ll see all season. KeeSean Johnson ran a great wheel route from the boundary slot but Trevor Harris didn\u2019t get the ball out fast enough to take advantage of his separation over the top. Instead of trying to lead Johnson up-field, which would have led the receiver out the back of the end zone, Harris threw to ball to his back shoulder and Johnson made a brilliant adjustment to the ball. Bravo.<\/p>\n

Honourable mention: KR Trey Vaval, Winnipeg Blue Bombers<\/p>\n

Worst play of the week: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Montreal Alouettes<\/p>\n

In the third quarter of Saturday\u2019s game in La Belle Province, McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw an errant pass directly to the chest of Saskatchewan defensive back Nelson Lokombo. Instead of making the interception, the former first-round pick allowed the ball to bounce off his hands, then hit the ground to do 10 pushups as punishment. It was an awful play all around for both players. Sheesh.<\/p>\n

Honourable mention: REC Kaion Julien-Grant, Edmonton Elks<\/p>\n

Best game of the week: Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers<\/p>\n

This was far from the best-played game you\u2019ll see all season but it was extremely entertaining. With multiple offensive touchdowns, defensive touchdowns, and special teams touchdowns, this was an action-packed matchup that came right down to the last minute as the Blue Bombers struggled to put the game away in front of a sold-out home crowd. This was the only game of the week that was close and didn\u2019t include a weather delay.<\/p>\n

Honourable mention: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Edmonton Elks<\/p>\n

Worst game of the week: Calgary Stampeders at Ottawa Redblacks<\/p>\n

This was a relatively sloppy game and it didn\u2019t look like former NFL journeyman P.J. Walker was ready for primetime as he threw for 273 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions in the loss. The injuries in Calgary\u2019s receiving corps didn\u2019t help, either, as they struggled to hold onto his strong-armed throws. The only fans thrilled with this game were those in R-Nation as the team snapped a four-game losing skid.<\/p>\n

Honourable mention: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Montreal Alouettes<\/p>\n