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Vancouver Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Why Redblacks' career sacks leader Lorenzo Mauldin IV is not looking like his old self
Like his team as a whole, Lorenzo Mauldin's numbers are way down. Through one-third of the 2025 CFL season, the Ottawa Redblacks' career sacks leader has yet to put a quarterback on the ground. Along with having a zero in the sacks column, Mauldin has just eight tackles in six games. It's an uncharacteristic stat line for the 32-year-old defensive end, who is one of the team's top-paid and generally most productive players. Mired in a three-game losing slump that has dragged them to the basement of the CFL standings, the Redblacks believe they are much better than the 1-5 record indicates. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Mauldin believes a turnaround is imminent. 'We're out there putting in our work, and of course it's not showing, but it's semi-early,' the former New York Jet and Hamilton Tiger-Cat said Thursday after the team's practice at TD Place. 'We're definitely going to find our way, and we're going to go on a tear.' After recording 30 sacks over the last three seasons — including a CFL-leading 17 in 2022 and a league co-leading eight last year — Mauldin is also confident he'll find his way to the quarterback again. 'The numbers will be there,' he said. 'I have to go out there and continue to do what I'm doing. I'm getting there, it's just that the ball is either out (of the QB's hand) or on the way. It's going to happen. It's just a matter of when.' Age is not one of them. In fact, Mauldin is in tip-top shape since shaving almost 20 pounds from his 6-foot-4 frame in the off-season. 'I feel like I haven't lost a step,' said Mauldin, who dropped from 285 pounds to 266. 'I've lost weight. That's the only thing lost. In the off-season I made sure I was not losing muscle but focusing on the fat. I came out here a lot faster, and definitely feel like I'm able to keep my strength and everything. At the end of the day, I'm just out there working within this game and making sure that I do my job so that the defence can prosper.' The defence did throw a speed bump in front of the fast-moving Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday. After scoring 86 points in their previous two games, the Tiger-Cats managed just 23 against Ottawa. But getting to the quarterback remains a problem for the Redblacks, who, under new defensive coordinator Will Fields, have just seven sacks in six games. After setting the high bar with eight each in 2024, Mauldin and Michael Wakefield have combined for just one. 'I'm not tooting my horn or anything, but with me being the type of caliber player I am and with Bryce (Carter) on the other end, (opponents) have to double team and triple team us, and bring in receivers to take us off the edge,' said Mauldin. 'There's no excuse for why I don't have a sack or anything yet. I'm doing what I can, when I can, and whatever I have to do to help the defence.' Asked about the challenges of having a new DC, he added: 'With any team, with any defence, with any offence, you get a new coordinator and you're definitely doing some different things that you were doing in the last scheme. But it's for the better. You're definitely learning new things. I'm learning new things at the position that I'm playing, and again, we're going to go on a tear here soon. We just have to have everybody get comfortable.' It's too early, or as Mauldin calls it, 'semi-early', to say that. They have the same number of wins as the Argos, who hold a game in hand. But remember, three teams from each division don't necessarily qualify for post-season play. The fourth-place team in the West will cross over if it has a better record than the third-place team on this side, and right now that's the 3-3 B.C. Lions. However, the slope the Redbacks are currently sliding down will get slipperier if they lose again to the Tiger-Cats — who have won three straight and now sit first in the East — when the teams meet again Sunday at TD Place. 'Every game is a must-win, obviously, but at the same time, every game you (lose) takes down your opportunities as you move forward,' said head coach Bob Dyce. 'So yeah, you have to have a sense of urgency. (Hamilton) is an Eastern team, team that's ahead of us in the standings, and so we have to tighten up. We know where we want to get to. It's an important game. You can't say it's a must game, a playoff game is a must-win game, but you can be of the mindset that we have to be at our best this week to do everything that we can that will result in a victory.' The concerning news is that cornerback Adrian Frye (shoulder) is likely going back on the shelf two games after he missed one with a knee injury. His spot in the secondary could be filled by fellow American Deandre Lamont, who has practiced in full this week after being out with a hamstring issue. Better news, as far as the ratio goes, is that former Carleton Raven Justin Howell looks like he'll play his first game of the season after being out with a foot injury. It also looks like former Mount Allison Mounties linebacker Lucas Cormier will make his first start at the WILL position, giving the Redblacks more ratio flexibility. Cormier had three defensive tackles and a tackle for a loss while seeing spot duty last week. 'Lucas is a fantastic player,' said Dyce. 'How we looked at practice is likely how we'll go.' Former St. Mary's Huskies defensive lineman Aidan John (knee) was also practicing in full and could return, while Global player Tyron Vrede suffered an ankle injury in Hamilton that has prevented him from practising so far this week. Dyce prefers to look ahead rather than in the past, especially at a game that was played so recently, but did take a glance over his shoulder with references on this occasion. 'We're focused on making sure we have our best performance this week, and attack this week, and play great football in critical situations,' he said. 'One of the things we talk about is maximizing opportunities, whether that's a drive starting at the 30-yard line or 40-yard line, we've got to score touchdowns. Conversely, like the defence did last week. They're in tough field position. They've got to go out there, and they've got to deny touchdowns. We have to be focused and more consistent throughout the whole game.' Mauldin admitted the loss in Hamilton was extremely frustrating. 'We have to realize as a team that we need to finish,' he said. 'We've had plenty of close games in the past, and that was definitely one of those times where we didn't finish and we had to capitalize on it.' Sunday will mark the 100th career game for both starting middle linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox and fullback/special teamer Anthony Gosselin, who played his college ball with the Sherbrooke Vert et Or. While Santos-Knox is well known for his leadership and defensive impact (he's second on the team in tackles), Gosselin's contributions are understated. 'It's a big game for both of them … it says a lot about individuals to get to that mark,' said Dyce, a former special-teams coach who was asked specifically about Gosselin. 'We talk about who he is as a person and why he's been able to last this long. It's funny, when he came in early in his career, he was a guy who was on the roster and off. He was always on special teams and he'd always be in my office, persistent, saying, 'This is what I could do, this is what I want to do, what do I need to do better?' And he has continued in that vein throughout his whole career. He is one of the rare guys that you will see who, in his 30s, continues to get better. He is the ultimate in what you would want in a team player. He was willing to do anything possible for the team. It's not about him, it's about how he can help the team. The effort and work he puts in, in the off-season …. He's a phenomenal family man, and he's a great team man. You could talk to anyone on this team, and I don't think you would find anyone who would say anything bad about Anthony. He is not a vocal leader, but he leads by example, and sometimes those are the best leaders you can possibly have, because anything that you ask him to do, he's going to do it 100 percent. And like I said, he's not doing it for himself, he's doing it for the team.'
Vancouver Sun
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
CFL picks: B.C. Lions look to keep momentum going in Edmonton
Vernon Adams Jr. and the Calgary Stampeders face another undefeated challenge. Calgary (3-1) visits the Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-0) — the CFL's lone remaining unbeaten squad — on Friday night. Last week, Adams defeated Winnipeg 37-16, handing the Blue Bombers their first loss of the season. Saskatchewan is not only at home — where it has won four of its last five games — but comes off a bye week, having amassed a 4-1 record following a week off the last two years. And veteran starter Trevor Harris (head/illness) resumed practising this week after missing the Riders' 37-18 home win over B.C. on June 28. Backup Jake Maier stepped in and threw for 170 yards and a TD but AJ Ouellette was the main offensive threat, running for 139 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Saskatchewan rushed for 188 yards on 33 attempts (5.7-yard average) overall. The ground game is important for Saskatchewan, which is averaging a CFL-best 138.5 yards per game. Ouellette, is the league's rushing leader with 347 yards (6.2-yard average per carry, three TDs). Saskatchewan is also averaging a CFL-leading 29.3 offensive points per game while having committed a league-low five turnovers. But the Riders are eighth overall in penalties (9.5 per game) and last in yards (109.8). Adams threw two TD passes — his first this season — versus Winnipeg and stands third in the CFL in passing (1,025 yards). He is also Calgary's second-leading rusher (116 yards on 14 carries, 8.3-yard average). Dedrick Mills carries the rushing load for Calgary. He is second overall behind Ouellette with 311 yards (4.9-yard average) but leads the CFL in touchdowns (five) and runs of 10-plus yards (nine). Calgary's defence also got into the act versus Winnipeg with Damon Webb and Derrick Moncrief returning interceptions for TDs. The Stampeders are allowing 18.3 offensive points per game and given up just five total touchdowns, both league lows. Saskatchewan's defence is surrendering 66.5 rushing yards per game, the fewest in the CFL. The Riders are not only 3-0 this season with Harris but the veteran quarterback has completed 72.5 per cent of his passes. He's also averaging a league-best 10.1 yards per passing attempt. This marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the West Division rivals. They'll square off at McMahon Stadium on Aug. 23. The Riders and Stamps split their two games last year, with each winning on the road. Calgary has history on its side, sporting a 7-1 regular-season record at Mosaic Stadium since it opened in 2017. Overall, the Stampeders are 10-1 in their most recent regular-season visits to Saskatchewan. Pick: Saskatchewan. At Hamilton, the Tiger-Cats (2-2) chase a third straight win versus a division opponent. Veteran Bo Levi Mitchell threw five TD passes in last week's 51-38 road win over Toronto with three going to Kenny Lawler, who finished with six catches for 207 yards. Meanwhile, Isaiah Wooden Sr. accumulated 264 combined returned yards, which included taking a kickoff back 86 yards for a touchdown. A win would move the Ticats into a first-place tie with idle Montreal (3-2). Ottawa (1-4) has dropped two straight, including a 39-33 road decision to Edmonton last week. Dru Brown returned, throwing for 316 yards and two touchdowns but the Redblacks lost dangerous returner Devonte Dedmon (leg) to injury. Pick: Hamilton. At Edmonton, the Elks (1-3) look for a second straight home win following last week's decision over Ottawa. Tre Ford was 15-of-17 passing for 212 yards and two TDs and sets up an intriguing battle with fellow Canadian starter Nathan Rourke of the Lions. Justin Rankin ran for 105 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries while adding four catches for 69 yards and a TD. B.C. (2-3) comes off an exciting 21-20 road win over Montreal on Sean Whyte's game-ending 43-yard field goal. Running back James Butler (303 yards, 5.2-yard average, two TDs) is third overall in CFL rushing but the Lions will be without defensive lineman Kemoko Turay, who received a one-game suspension from the CFL on Wednesday for his role in last week's post-game melee. Pick: B.C. Last week: 2-2. Overall: 12-8.
Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., Stampeders face another unbeaten challenge
Vernon Adams Jr. and the Calgary Stampeders face another undefeated challenge. Calgary (3-1) visits the Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-0) — the CFL's lone remaining unbeaten squad — on Friday night. Last week, Adams and Co. defeated Winnipeg 37-16, handing the Blue Bombers their first loss of the season. Saskatchewan is not only at home — where it has won four of its last five games — but comes off a bye week, having amassed a 4-1 record following a week off the last two years. And veteran starter Trevor Harris (head/illness) resumed practising this week after missing the Riders' 37-18 home win over B.C. on June 28. Backup Jake Maier stepped in and threw for 170 yards and a TD but AJ Ouellette was the main offensive threat, running for 139 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Saskatchewan rushed for 188 yards on 33 attempts (5.7-yard average) overall. The ground game is important for Saskatchewan, which is averaging a CFL-best 138.5 yards per game. Ouellette, is the league's rushing leader with 347 yards (6.2-yard average per carry, three TDs). Saskatchewan is also averaging a CFL-leading 29.3 offensive points per game while having committed a league-low five turnovers. But the Riders are eighth overall in penalties (9.5 per game) and last in yards (109.8). Adams threw two TD passes — his first this season — versus Winnipeg and stands third in the CFL in passing (1,025 yards). He's also Calgary's second-leading rusher (116 yards on 14 carries, 8.3-yard average). Dedrick Mills carries the rushing load for Calgary. He's second overall behind Ouellette with 311 yards (4.9-yard average) but leads the CFL in touchdowns (five) and runs of 10-plus yards (nine). Calgary's defence also got into the act versus Winnipeg with Damon Webb and Derrick Moncrief returning interceptions for TDs. The Stampeders are allowing 18.3 offensive points per game and given up just five total touchdowns, both league lows. Saskatchewan's defence is surrendering 66.5 rushing yards per game, the fewest in the CFL. The Riders are not only 3-0 this season with Harris but the veteran quarterback has completed 72.5 per cent of his passes. He's also averaging a league-best 10.1 yards per passing attempt. This marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the West Division rivals. They'll square off at McMahon Stadium on Aug. 23. The Riders and Stamps split their two games last year, with each winning on the road. Calgary has history on its side, sporting a 7-1 regular-season record at Mosaic Stadium since it opened in 2017. Overall, the Stampeders are 10-1 in their most recent regular-season visits to Saskatchewan. Pick: Saskatchewan. Ottawa Redblacks versus Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Saturday night) At Hamilton, the Tiger-Cats (2-2) chase a third straight win versus a division opponent. Veteran Bo Levi Mitchell threw five TD passes in last week's 51-38 road win over Toronto with three going to Kenny Lawler, who finished with six catches for 207 yards. Meanwhile, Isaiah Wooden Sr. accumulated 264 combined returned yards, which included taking a kickoff back 86 yards for a touchdown. A win would move the Ticats into a first-place tie with idle Montreal (3-2). Ottawa (1-4) has dropped two straight, including a 39-33 road decision to Edmonton last week. Dru Brown returned, throwing for 316 yards and two touchdowns but the Redblacks lost dangerous returner Devonte Dedmon (leg) to injury. Pick: Hamilton. B.C. Lions versus Edmonton Elks (Sunday night) At Edmonton, the Elks (1-3) look for a second straight home win following last week's decision over Ottawa. Tre Ford was 15-of-17 passing for 212 yards and two TDs and sets up an intriguing battle with fellow Canadian starter Nathan Rourke of the Lions. Justin Rankin ran for 105 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries while adding four catches for 69 yards and a TD. B.C. (2-3) comes off an exciting 21-20 road win over Montreal on Sean Whyte's game-ending 43-yard field goal. Running back James Butler (303 yards, 5.2-yard average, two TDs) is third overall in CFL rushing but the Lions will be without defensive lineman Kemoko Turay, who received a one-game suspension from the CFL on Wednesday for his role in last week's post-game melee. Pick: B.C. Last week: 2-2. Overall: 12-8. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., Stampeders face another unbeaten challenge
Vernon Adams Jr. and the Calgary Stampeders face another undefeated challenge. Calgary (3-1) visits the Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-0) — the CFL's lone remaining unbeaten squad — on Friday night. Last week, Adams and Co. defeated Winnipeg 37-16, handing the Blue Bombers their first loss of the season. Saskatchewan is not only at home — where it has won four of its last five games — but comes off a bye week, having amassed a 4-1 record following a week off the last two years. And veteran starter Trevor Harris (head/illness) resumed practising this week after missing the Riders' 37-18 home win over B.C. on June 28. Backup Jake Maier stepped in and threw for 170 yards and a TD but AJ Ouellette was the main offensive threat, running for 139 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Saskatchewan rushed for 188 yards on 33 attempts (5.7-yard average) overall. The ground game is important for Saskatchewan, which is averaging a CFL-best 138.5 yards per game. Ouellette, is the league's rushing leader with 347 yards (6.2-yard average per carry, three TDs). Saskatchewan is also averaging a CFL-leading 29.3 offensive points per game while having committed a league-low five turnovers. But the Riders are eighth overall in penalties (9.5 per game) and last in yards (109.8). Adams threw two TD passes — his first this season — versus Winnipeg and stands third in the CFL in passing (1,025 yards). He's also Calgary's second-leading rusher (116 yards on 14 carries, 8.3-yard average). Dedrick Mills carries the rushing load for Calgary. He's second overall behind Ouellette with 311 yards (4.9-yard average) but leads the CFL in touchdowns (five) and runs of 10-plus yards (nine). Calgary's defence also got into the act versus Winnipeg with Damon Webb and Derrick Moncrief returning interceptions for TDs. The Stampeders are allowing 18.3 offensive points per game and given up just five total touchdowns, both league lows. Saskatchewan's defence is surrendering 66.5 rushing yards per game, the fewest in the CFL. The Riders are not only 3-0 this season with Harris but the veteran quarterback has completed 72.5 per cent of his passes. He's also averaging a league-best 10.1 yards per passing attempt. This marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the West Division rivals. They'll square off at McMahon Stadium on Aug. 23. The Riders and Stamps split their two games last year, with each winning on the road. Calgary has history on its side, sporting a 7-1 regular-season record at Mosaic Stadium since it opened in 2017. Overall, the Stampeders are 10-1 in their most recent regular-season visits to Saskatchewan. Pick: Saskatchewan. Ottawa Redblacks versus Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Saturday night) At Hamilton, the Tiger-Cats (2-2) chase a third straight win versus a division opponent. Veteran Bo Levi Mitchell threw five TD passes in last week's 51-38 road win over Toronto with three going to Kenny Lawler, who finished with six catches for 207 yards. Meanwhile, Isaiah Wooden Sr. accumulated 264 combined returned yards, which included taking a kickoff back 86 yards for a touchdown. A win would move the Ticats into a first-place tie with idle Montreal (3-2). Ottawa (1-4) has dropped two straight, including a 39-33 road decision to Edmonton last week. Dru Brown returned, throwing for 316 yards and two touchdowns but the Redblacks lost dangerous returner Devonte Dedmon (leg) to injury. Pick: Hamilton. B.C. Lions versus Edmonton Elks (Sunday night) Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. At Edmonton, the Elks (1-3) look for a second straight home win following last week's decision over Ottawa. Tre Ford was 15-of-17 passing for 212 yards and two TDs and sets up an intriguing battle with fellow Canadian starter Nathan Rourke of the Lions. Justin Rankin ran for 105 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries while adding four catches for 69 yards and a TD. B.C. (2-3) comes off an exciting 21-20 road win over Montreal on Sean Whyte's game-ending 43-yard field goal. Running back James Butler (303 yards, 5.2-yard average, two TDs) is third overall in CFL rushing but the Lions will be without defensive lineman Kemoko Turay, who received a one-game suspension from the CFL on Wednesday for his role in last week's post-game melee. Pick: B.C. Last week: 2-2. Overall: 12-8. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2025.
Toronto Star
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Argonauts defensive end Andrew Chatfield Jr. leading CFL in sacks
TORONTO - Defensive end Andrew Chatfield Jr. has been a bright light in what's been a tough start for the Toronto Argonauts. Chatfield has posted a CFL-leading five sacks for Toronto (1-4), which acquired the 26-year-old Florida native from the Ottawa Redblacks on Feb. 10 for defensive back Craig James.
