Hilltops take CFL rule changes as it is what it is

Hilltops HC Tom Sargeant studies play in a CJFL game on Aug. 17.

The Saskatoon Hilltops will deal with the trickle down effects of the CFL’s rule changes as they come.

On Monday, Canada’s professional circuit announced some major rule changes. Starting in 2026, the famous rouge has been altered.

No points will be awarded for missed field goals, punts and kickoffs that go through the end zone via either through the air or a bounce. If a returner fields any of those types of kicks in the end zone and is tackled in the end zone or kneels down in the end zone, a single point rouge will be scored.

A 35-second play clock will replace the 20-second play clock in 2026. Next year once a play is blown dead, a 35-second play clock begins. Also in 2026, team benches at all CFL stadiums will be on opposite sides of the field.

In 2027, the field of play will change. The field of play between the goal-lines will be 100 yards instead of 110 yards. The depth of the end zones will shrink from 20 yards to 15 yards.

The width of the field will still be 65 yards. The uprights will be moved from the goal-line to the back of the end zone.

Legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant had up and down feelings about the changes.

“I understand and respect the reason why they want to move the goalpost,” said Sargeant, who has guided the Hilltops to 14 CJFL title wins as head coach. “I think that is a safety element.

“Everything we’ve done when you look at the game of football with literature is trying to make the game a safer place. I think they’re trying to make it more Americanized. Do I agree with all the things, no I don’t, but you know right now that is professional sport.

“I coach amateur football. Hopefully, it doesn’t affect us and we can keep doing what we’re doing, because obviously for the blue and gold, it has worked out pretty well.”

Hilltops star fifth year defensive tackle Johnathon Stevens went to training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and was on their practice roster until the time arrived for him to be assigned back to the Hilltops. The Eatonia, Sask., product has a fondness for how the game is now, but he believes CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston is trying his best to move the game forward.

“It is a little tough for me,” said Stevens. “All the respect to the commissioner there.

“He is trying to improve the league and do what he can do to help out there and help grow the game and make it more exciting for the fans, obviously. I have mixed feelings, but ultimately, it is not up to me with what happens. I do know no matter what the Canadian game is going to be great no matter what happens.”

As for the change in the field size, Stevens said you just have to adjust to it. He said the three players currently on the Hilltops roster that were born in the United States in receiver/safety Isaiah Vallderruten, running back David Collins and receiver David Boyd Jr. have all adapted to playing the larger Canadian sized field, so that adaptation can work going the other way.

“I’ve only ever played on one size of field there, obviously,” said Stevens. “If it came down to it, what else can you do.

“You’d have to adapt to it, and obviously, get used to new things as the Americans here. They had to get used to our field, so we’ll see how it goes.”

CFL rule changes gave Yausie new work

Jeff Yausie works the sidelines as the Hilltops DC on Aug. 17.

The CFL’s incoming rule changes created some unexpected homework for Jeff Yausie.

Yausie had been focusing on his role as the defensive coordinator for the CJFL’s storied Saskatoon Hilltops reviewing video of their 52-26 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta. That all changed on Monday morning when the CFL announced some major rule changes, and Yausie had to jump into action as the CEO of Football Saskatchewan in gathering information and having meetings about the changes.

Yausie said the staff at Football Saskatchewan didn’t have any idea the CFL rule changes were coming on Monday. One of the meetings included talking with Saskatchewan Roughriders president and CEO Craig Reynolds.

“I had meetings with Craig (Reynolds) from the ’Riders, and they were told to keep it top secret until the announcement, which totally makes sense,” said Yausie. “It was a complete surprise for us.

“Even Football Canada had received word like the night before at the last second, so there was not a lot of consultation across the players association and the amateur football. Obviously, it was a really well-organized announcement. They did their homework.

“They had some real good graphics and stuff to explain the changes and the differences.”

While the new rules will see the CFL change to a field that is 100 yards in length between the end zones as opposed to the current 110 yards, Yausie doesn’t think the CFL is moving to a version of the sport that more resembles what is played in the United States.

“I really don’t,” said Yausie. “To me, the only changes to make it more American football are 100-yard field and goalposts to the back of the end zone.

“I like goalposts to the back of the end zone, and I like 100-yard field. I think it’ll turn into more scoring, which is what their analytics told them. For us and the rest of the changes, I think you have to change and grow to get better and to keep up with the times.

“We’re excited about that. The concern is the change to the field sizes and how that affects amateur football. That is going to take time for that to figure out.”

Yausie said he was happy the changes that are coming in are staggered for 2026 and 2027. He added it would take more time in the amateur football world to change facilities and believes those changes could take five to 10 years before everyone adjusts. For teams that play in CFL stadiums, Yausie said they would be affected the most.

He believes it is possible that Football Canada might follow the CFL as far as rule changes go.

“I think they could,” said Yausie. “We’ll certainly analyze it as far as the rule changes that were made, not the field sized ones, but the rule changes to start.

“The good thing is the CFL is a professional league. We can analyze what they’re doing, and we can see if it works, if it doesn’t work. If it is great, then we’ll adopt and change.

“I think some of that will happen.”

Yausie admits it is also a challenge to secure money for sports facilities in Canada, so that exists as a hurdle when it comes to changing fields.

“For sure, dollars for sports is a huge concern,” said Yausie. “The cool part is in Saskatchewan we love our six-a-side football, our nine-a –side football and our 12-a-side football.

“Football is football. I don’t care what the field size is. They didn’t touch the 65-yard width, which is huge.

“They didn’t touch the downs like three-down football we are. They didn’t touch a yard off the ball. To me, it is really not Americanizing Canadian football.”

Reaction to CFL rule changes more mixed than I thought

Andrew Harris in action for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2017.

The CFL rule changes avoided the deal breaker.

As a result, the reaction I’ve seen to the incoming rule changes is more mixed than I thought. To me, the reaction has been about 55 per cent negative and 45 per cent understanding. In my subjective view, it has been way more even than I expected.

I think the deal breaker would have been had the CFL elected to become a four-down game as opposed to sticking to three downs. Having three downs to gain 10 yards is the most defining characteristic of the Canadian game of football.

Had there been a change to four downs, I could envision the two CFL stronghold franchises in the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers losing half of their season ticket holders going into the 2026 campaign.

The CFL approached the rule changes with great skill. They highlighted the changes to the rouge. I think half of the fans of the Canadian game did not want any points to be given for balls that were kicked through the end zone – especially for missed field goals.

The alterations that were made to the rouge were something that most to all CFL fans could agree to. From there, the CFL eased into the other changes like adjusting the play clock and field dimensions.

The CFL approached the rule changes like skilled politicians. You make a change in the law or a program everyone pretty much can agree to and you proceed to add changes to other laws and programs people might be wary of after that.

With that approach, the CFL got a sizable number of people who felt OK with the rule changes.

As far as bringing in a 35-second play clock is concerned, I’ve had football people tell me there are consistency issues with the 20-second play clock regarding how officials allow teams to substitute in players. Those issues aren’t major ones and were something that was being dealt with in organizational meetings in the sport.

For myself, I still don’t like the rule changes, but they are not deal breakers that will make me decide to stop going to games. I will still go to CFL games.

Had they made it even more like the game in the United States, I wouldn’t like the changes, but I would still go for the curiosity factor. I also find I like football in all its forms including the flag and touch games.

I think the changes that were made open doors for the CFL to possibly get a television contract or streaming service contract in the United States and possibly expand again to the United States. I think the changes will help sell the league to legal gambling partners and possibly make it easier to get a video game done.

I haven’t gambled on any type of sports in years. With that noted, I realize the sports industry makes big money on gambling, and I think it is likely way more money than I originally thought.

I know in Canada the notion is there about expanding the CFL to Quebec City or Halifax, N.S.

However, I can see the CFL looking to the United States, because it is easier to do business there. To build any sort of sports facilities in Canada including potential stadiums in Quebec City and Halifax, those looking to build often rely on getting grants from the Government of Canada. Currently, the Government of Canada ties those grants to promises of the new facilities that are powered by green energy to a certain extent and are environment friendly.

Actually to be realistic, the Government of Canada makes the sports industry jump through various hoops in ways that parallel most other industries in the country.

In the United States, sports are a major industry. To use a metaphor, sports in the United States is a big-boss table that includes kings and queens, while Canada’s sports industry is a baby in a high-chair.

I think the CFL could use expansion to the United States as a way to leverage better business environments for its franchises in Canada.

I know almost all professional football circuits that have operated in the United States not named the NFL have failed. Still, I can see why the business people in the CFL would look in that direction. The current rule changes still keep the essence of the Canadian game, and I can see the business crew in the CFL thinking that could still be a great selling point there.

I also note that while I hate the CFL rule changes I don’t get overly emotional about it, and I don’t let it affect my life. I don’t own a team, so I have no control over what happens to that circuit.

It is an entertainment option. One day I might decide it doesn’t work for me anymore, and at that point, I will no longer be someone that buys tickets to games or merchandise.

I won’t pout or get upset or act like a bratty baby. I will just leave and go on to something else.

At this point, the CFL still works for me as an entertainment option.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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The CFL game on the field is a gem, changes not needed

An Edmonton Eskimos promo poster form 1981.

Apparently, the CFL product on the field is a game that is “radically” flawed.

To me, it left like that was the message that was sent, when the Canadian professional football circuit announced some major rule changes on Monday with one phase of changes coming in 2026 and another phase in 2027. From what I understand, it was announced on Sunday that the press conference for the rule changes would happen on Monday.

Attention got more heightened for the Monday announcement when long time former Saskatchewan Roughriders play-by-play voice and current independent sports media pundit Rod Pedersen put out a post on Platform-X that he was told to be prepared for an Americanization of the CFL game.

On Monday, the following rule changes were announced that are coming in 2026. First, the famous rouge has been altered.

No points will be awarded for missed field goals, punts and kickoffs that go through the end zone via either through the air or a bounce. If a returner fields any of those types of kicks in the end zone and is tackled in the end zone or kneels down in the end zone, a single point rouge will be scored.

A 35-second play clock will replace the 20-second play clock in 2026. Next year once a play is blown dead, a 35-second play clock begins. Also in 2026, team benches at all CFL stadiums will be on opposite sides of the field.

In 2027, the field of play will change. The field of play between the goal-lines will be 100 yards instead of 110 yards. The depth of the end zones will shrink from 20 yards to 15 yards.

The width of the field will still be 65 yards. The uprights will be moved from the goal-line to the back of the end zone.

I elected to mull on the changes over a 24 hour period. During my life, one of my blessings was I got to be friends with the late iconic CFL coach and general manager and scout of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts in Cal Murphy.

Murphy truly loved the game and his passion got you excited for the sport. He loved both the Canadian and American versions of the sport and the uniqueness each version of the game brought.

Murphy is best known for his time with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers serving as either head coach or general manager or both from 1983 to 1996. If Murphy was still alive, my gut feeling is he would mirror current Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea and current British Columbia Lions star quarterback Nathan Rourke in not liking the changes.

I think Murphy would say the rule changes are, “A crock of crap.”

Cal Murphy pictured during a Roughriders event in 1999.

Murphy was the lone voice in the league against United States expansion in the 1990s, and it turned out he was right with all the concerns he brought up with how that failed.

I guess I have hit the age where I am an old fuddy-duddy in liking the Canadian game of football the way it is.

When it comes to the game itself on the field, I felt there was nothing wrong with the game currently being played in the CFL and the Canadian version of the sport in general. 

I believe the Canadian version of the sport in its current form is as perfect of a version of the game you can get.

I know there are critics of the rouge and want it totally removed. I think that adds to the charm of the game.

I love the quirky moments that come with the rule in its current form like in the University of Regina Rams first post-season win in the U Sports ranks way back on November 3, 2000 at McMahon Stadium in Calgary. The Rams were tied 32-32 with the University of Calgary Dinos in a Canada West semifinal.

On the final play of the fourth quarter, the Rams had the ball at the Dinos 16 yard line. The Rams Canadian Football Hall of Fame head coach Frank McCrystal sent his future star NFL punter Jon Ryan into the game. Ryan booted a 36-yard punt single through the end zone to give the Rams a 33-32 walk off victory, and they continued on a run to an appearance in the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup.

I know in the current day there are pundits saying that is a horrible way to win a game like getting a single off a missed field goal. Back then, McCrystal and his staff were credited with their astute coaching work and mastery of the rulebook for getting in position where Ryan could win the game with a punt single.

Starting next season in the CFL, you won’t be able to boot a punt single through the end zone to win a game with a rouge.

Of course, the CFL’s problem has always been marketing and storytelling. There have been some years the marketing has been better than others.

I believe the Roughriders reached unprecedented heights in the 2000s and early 2010s by marketing themselves as “Canada’s Team” and putting up billboards outside of opposing team’s stadiums that displayed a big picture of their fans that make up Rider Nation with the caption “We walk among you.”

That rallied the Roughriders faithful around their team. That also rallied the fans of the other CFL clubs around their respective franchises due to being shown up by the folks that make up Rider Nation.

Jon Ryan kicked a rouge for the Rams first U Sports playoff win.

If you want to look at the weakness of the story telling of the CFL, just ask any CFL fan who were the “Alberta Crude?”

The “Alberta Crude” was the defensive line made up of Dave “Doctor Death” Fennell, Ron Estay, David Boone and Bill Stevenson. They played a crucial role in helping the Edmonton Eskimos win five straight Grey Cups from 1978 to 1982.

To me, the Eskimos of that era should be viewed as one of the most if not the most iconical squads in the CFL and one of the most iconical teams in all of Canadian sports. That dynasty was highlighted by the play of two legendary quarterbacks with Tom Wilkinson giving way to Warren Moon.

Those that saw Moon play can still see him throwing the most picturesque passes to his trio of 1,000- yard receivers in 1981 in Brian Kelly, Tom Scott and Waddell Smith.

Edmonton’s coaching staff of that era was made up of head coach Hugh Campbell with Murphy, Don Matthews and “Papa” Joe Faragalli working as assistant coaches. Faragalli did move on to become the Roughriders head coach in 1981. With Campbell, Murphy, Matthews and Faragelli working the sidelines, one had to wonder how the Eskimos ever lost a game.

(*Side note – “Papa” Joe was the innovator pretty much for all the passing sets you see in the CFL in the current day*).

Still, you don’t see sports documentaries made about the Eskimos teams from 1978 to 1982 like you do of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers of the 1960s, the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s, the San Francisco 49ERS of the 1980s, the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s or the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era New England Patriots of the 2000s and 2010s.

Outside of old fuddy-duddies like me, the Eskimos teams from 1978 to 1982 aren’t remembered the way they should be if they are remembered at all. That goes for so many different eras of history of the CFL and no one is forking out the money to ensure those tales are remembered.

If you can’t get your past properly respected in the public eye, how do you venture into the future as an elite sports league?

Having that narrative of then, now, forever and together helps build the community of everyone being part of something.

Darian Durant (#4) throw a pass for the Roughriders in 2016.

The NFL had that question answered with the creation of NFL Films way back in the 1960s, and that has contributed to the creation of iconic teams and iconic stories.

As for the CFL, those in the ownership and board of governor positions have decided the product on the field is the problem, and that is where change needs to be made.

I wonder if “Uncle” Wally Buono is “all in” with the rule changes, or is he just an old fuddy-duddy that doesn’t matter anymore. I would be really comfortable with having him as the head of a competition committee or a rules committee for the CFL at age 75, if that would be something he would ever consider doing.

I do understand the reasons the CFL presented in their rule changes.

With that said, I didn’t know offence was a critical problem, kicking too many field goals was a critical problem, the time clock was a critical problem, the uprights on the goal-line created a critical visibility problem and field dimensions were a critical problem in the Canadian game. In the two CFL games I’ve attended this season, I believe the product on the field is as good as it has ever been, but also none of today’s current teams would beat the Eskimos from 1978 to 1982.

I personally don’t think the rule changes will result in more offence. I am willing to see how they look in action.

I know the league’s economic struggles, and I think the circuit’s leaders believe that alignment with the NFL and the American game is the only path forward to grow the game, because the NFL is so huge. Amateur football and high school football in the Toronto area and in Vancouver is already played with four down rules from the United States, which means about 18-million of Canada’s population of 40-millon are more in tune with the American game in just those two areas.

From that perspective, I think CFL leadership see harmonizing with the NFL as the only way forward, and they are comfortable with losing the old ardent CFL supporters. Like in politics, the large population centres in Canada dictates what the rest of the country does.

With that said, the CFL did start to rebound in the late 1990s and early 2000s the circuit made a rebound focusing on the “Canadian” aspect of the game. I think that is an important lesson to learn.

Still, I think the essence of the CFL game will still hold up after the rule changes. However, I can’t see the rule changes being the vehicle that motivates people to buy more tickets and watch more games. If the marketing and storytelling isn’t there, the changes are doomed to fail.

Gainer the Gopher meets the fans in 2019.

Until I get convinced otherwise by actions, I think football in the CFL and Canada has been accelerated to being converted to the style of game that is played in the United States. Something that is “Radically Canadian” is about to be truly lost.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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