LIVESTREAM PPV: CFL – Calgary Stampeders @Ottawa REDBLACKS, July 12, 7:30p (1:30a CEST)
OTTAWA — It seems like every time they meet up, the Calgary Stampeders and Ottawa REDBLACKS put on a show.
Whether it was the 104th Grey Cup in Toronto two years ago, or a pair of regular-season ties — one in each of 2016 and 2017 — there is something in Calgary that brings out the best in Ottawa.
That is, except for their meeting two weeks ago; the REDBLACKS offence sputtered at McMahon Stadium, and the Stamps did just enough to ensure a 24-14 victory.
The two teams — currently leading their respective divisions at 3-0 (Calgary) and 2-1 (Ottawa) — will meet again this Thursday in the nation’s capital on Thursday Night Football.
“We know they’re gonna have some wrinkles for us,” REDBLACKS head coach Rick Campbell told OttawaREDBLACKS.com. “We’ll have the same for them. (This week)’s pretty fresh for us, because we played another game. We shifted to Montreal, and now we’re back to Calgary. They haven’t played.”
It’s full steam ahead for the REDBLACKS following their 28-18 win in Montreal last week.
All systems were go for Ottawa last Friday; Trevor Harris threw for 349 yards and a trio of touchdowns, while league-leading running back William Powell sprinted to 138 yards.
This week, play calls will have to be adjusted to compensate for the fact they’re facing the same Calgary team from two weeks ago.
“The different thing about the CFL is it’s a smaller league, so you’re going to play everybody twice, or three times. Everybody gets to know each other,” explained Campbell. “So sometimes, you have to change a couple calls up or just have some wrinkles in the game plan. That’s part of the strategy.”
The REDBLACKS defence will receive an added boost to its second level this week, as veteran linebacker Kyries Hebert returns from suspension; the 37-year-old received a one-game ban following a high hit on Calgary’s DaVaris Daniels the last time these two teams met.
On the offensive line, Jason Lauzon-Seguin will continue to work his way back into the rotation following an injury; the third-year lineman out of Laval will back up Evan Johnson at right tackle against Calgary.
“It was fast, but it was a good (chance) to test out the body, see if everything was strong,” said Lauzon-Seguin. “It felt good to be back on the team and be with the boys on the road.”
As for the challenge posed by Calgary’s talented front seven, the 2016 Frank M. Gibson Trophy — East Division’s Most Oustanding Rookie — winner understands what the Stamps bring.
“They move a lot on D (with) the second level defenders — (Alex) Singleton is a very good tackler and player, and they bring a lot of safety blitz, stuff like that,” said Lauzon-Seguin. “We have to look at that and make adjustments (based) on what they show us.”
The REDBLACKS will have to take the opportunities given to them by Calgary’s strong-tackling defence.
“It was a struggle last game for us. It always is, they just know what they’re doing,” explained Ottawa receiver Brad Sinopoli. “They show a lot of different looks, they try not to give anything up deep. They try to just let you throw shallow stuff, and rally and make the tackle, and they’re really good at making the tackle.”
Of course, nothing ever comes easy against Dave Dickenson’s Stampeders.
At 3-0 on the season and 31-6-2 in the regular season since 2016, Calgary is quite simply the best team, year-over-year, in the Canadian Football League.
The Stamps are also aware, however, that Ottawa tends to give them a stiff challenge.
“We expect the same thing we got last time. It’s going to be a dog fight,” receiver DaVaris Daniels told Stampeders.com. “It’s not going to be high-scoring or anything. I’m sure they don’t want to lose to us twice, so we’ve got a challenge on our hands and we’ll be ready for it.”
Calgary will want to establish the run early against the REDBLACKS; breakout running back Don Jackson is third in the league in rush yards (294), while the team as a whole is averaging over 140 rush yards per-game.
“It’s the identity of Calgary Stampeder football,” said O-lineman Derek Dennis. “It’s always been a very run-first team and we pride ourselves on being a balanced offence. I think right now, for our offensive unit, at least, for the offensive line, the biggest thing that’s helping us be successful is the attitude that we have as a group.”
Slotback Kamar Jorden has been one of the Stamps’ premier receiving threats through three games; the Bowling Green product has caught a team-high 14 passes for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
He also believes the bye will help his ball club.
“We’ve had a couple days to get back into the rhythm and a couple days for us to get ready for them,” explained Jorden. ” I think that’s an advantage for us, but at the end of the day, we still have to handle business when we get on the field. I feel like I’ll take my guys versus their guys anytime.”
The Stamps will have some holes to fill this week, with receiver Eric Rogers and return specialist Terry Williams both moving to the one-game injured list. However, Calgary will also get a boost from the return of Cordarro Law at D-end and Justin Renfrow on the offensive line.
The absence of Williams will hand rookie Romar Morris, a spark plug out of UNC, his CFL debut behind Don Jackson on the depth chart at RB. The 25-year-old Tar Heel alum is a quick runner capable of returning kicks, and previously spent time with the New York Jets.
Crunchin’ Numbers:
1-6-2 – Rick Campbell and the REDBLACKS’ regular-season record (.222) against Calgary since joining the league in 2014; on the flip side, Dave Dickenson is 3-0-2 against Ottawa as a head coach.
59 – Career wins for Bo Levi Mitchell, who could become the fastest player in league history to the 60-win mark with a victory Thursday in Ottawa — his 71st start. The current record holder is Ken Ploen, who picked up his 60th win in start no. 78 on Sept. 28, 1963.
300-plus – Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris has thrown for 300-plus yards 21 times in 45 career starts. That 46.7 per cent mark is the second-highest in league history, behind only Doug Flutie (58.7).
So, to recap: The Stampeders and REDBLACKS sit atop their respective divisions, have elite talent on both sides of the ball and typically play one-score ball games.
Ottawa will be eager to try and solve the Calgary defence which shut it down two weeks ago, while Bo Levi and the Stamps offence will be similarly hungry to try and hang a 40-spot on the REDBLACKS.
Ottawa. Calgary.
– With files from Stampeders.com/OttawaREDBLACKS.com
AFI, Yare Media and the CFL
American Football International is collaborating with Yare Media and the Canadian Football League to present 2018 CFL games live. This is more than a livestream. This is a stream of the top flight TSN network television broadcast.
LIVE STREAM: CFL – Calgary Stampeders @Ottawa REDBLACKS, July 12, 7:30p (1:30a CEST)
