CFL
They left for Montreal without their starting quarterback, top running back, most productive receiver and their sack leader. But, at least when the Stampeders boarded the plane for Montreal, they knew those key players would be left behind.
What they didn’t count on leaving behind was their emotion. The Stampeders know they have to pick up their intensity level as they approach this Saturday’s game with the BC Lions.
“If we don’t play with emotion, we’re an average football team,” noted Stamps Head Coach and General Manager John Hufnagel on his weekly radio show.
His comments were echoed by defensive leader Keon Raymond.
“(Deron) Mayo got a sack on the first play and there was really no celebration,” noted Raymond. “It just wasn’t there and you can just kind of tell.”
“We’ve got to make sure we make a conscious effort and hold each other accountable, defensively, offensively and on special teams. Make sure everyone is in tune with how big this game is.”
| A fitting finale |
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The Stampeders put themselves in a great position with a 10-2 record through 12 games — but it won’t mean as much if they can’t finish off strong. In their final six games of the season, they play three tough Western opponents twice. |
Actually, make that games. The Stampeders now enter a round-robin tournament with three of their four Western rivals. Starting with this weekend against the Lions, the team will have play two games against each of the Lions, Blue Bombers and Roughriders. Wherever the Stampeders finish in 2014, it will be decided in head-to-head competition with their closest rivals. There will be plenty of emotion in the air through the end of the regular season.
The Stampeders are hoping to improve in all areas as they meet BC. They will particularly be looking to control the line of scrimmage. In the Als game, Montreal had the ball for 36:54 — an almost-fourteen minute advantage on Calgary.
No doubt the return of Jon Cornish will help kickstart the Stampeders time of possession numbers. Cornish was a late scratch in advance of the Montreal game with a series of ailments. He expects that will be his last time on the sidelines in 2014.
“This is the best part of the season,” said Cornish. “I don’t think I’ll to miss anymore games. I want to be ready for that.”
Handing the ball to Cornish this week will be Drew Tate. Tate made his first start last week in Montreal. Like all the Stampeders, he had an uneven game. The team moved the ball well late in the first half and continue that trend early in the second half, but there were also times when the offense struggled.
“Take a step forward, don’t repeat the same mistakes,” evaluated Tate. “Learn from that and move on. We have too much football ahead of us.”
Tate was 15-of-30 passing for 152 yards. However, he did have both of Calgary’s touchdowns with runs into the end zone.
Adding to the fire of Saturday’s game is the fact that only BC has defeated the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium this year. That defeat took place on Aug. 1, when the Lions constructed a late rally for the win.
The outcome of this game is difficult to predict, but one can say with certainty that the Stampeders will emerge with more fire as they battle the Lions.
