LIVESTREAM PPV: CFL – Calgary Stampeders @Saskatchewan Roughriders, August 19, 5p (7p ET, 1a Aug. 20 CET)
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders look to make a bold statement on Sunday night at new Mosaic Stadium, where they’ll host the undefeated Calgary Stampeders to close out Week 10.
The Riders are fully aware that they have not played to their potential this season.
In an attempt to find their stride, the team sent shockwaves through the CFL when they released Duron Carter just one week ago.
The dual threat receiver and defensive back spent most of the season playing corner. Last year, his first with the Riders, Carter racked up 1,043 yards on 73 catches and eight touchdowns.
“We’re always constantly evaluating our team and the way we do things, processes and coaching.” Head Coach Chris Jone told Riderville.com. “Upon that evaluation, we made the decision that we were going to go in a different from Duron.”
In another surprising move, the Riders re-signed receiver Rob Bagg earlier this week after releasing him before the start of the season. The Kingston, Ont. native spent a decade with Rider Nation, registering 364 catches in 122 regular-season games for 4,705 yards and 24 TDs.
Saskatchewan has started the year with a disappointing 3-4 record and currently sits at the bottom of the West Division.
The Riders have struggled against divisional opponents thus far, dropping their only two games against West teams. Their most recent loss was at the hands of the Edmonton Eskimos in Week 8, falling 26-19 on the road. Zach Collaros returned from injury, throwing 22-for-34 with one touchdown. The Riders defence sacked Mike Reilly four times, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Esks.
After dropping two straight, the bye week came at the right time for the Riders.
“We’re excited to be back,” said Collaros. “We’ve got 12 in a row now. It’s crunch time for us and I know the rest of the league feels that way. We’re just really looking forward to this challenge against Calgary and the things that come after that.”
Head Coach Chris Jones agreed with his quarterback, claiming that Calgary is the team to beat.
“They’re undefeated. They’re the people that show up every week and play consistent football,” said Jones. “They’re very well coached. They execute. They protect their quarterback. They run the football effectively. Any time you’re trying to get to the top of the mountain you’ve got to go through them.”
The Stamps have yet to falter this season, bursting out of the gate to a 7-0 record.
Calgary downed the Lions 27-18 two weeks ago to remain perfect on the season. Bo Levi Mitchell completed 19-of-31 attempts for 370 and one touchdown pass. Kamar Jorden was unstoppable with an astounding 185 yards and a touchdown on five catches. Backup pivot Nick Arbuckle punched the ball into the end zone twice while linebacker Alex Singleton had a game-high eight tackles in the victory.
Like the Riders, the Stamps had a Week 9 bye and are ready to get back on the field.
“Most teams’ records are typically better coming off a bye week because you have that advantage,” Mitchell told Stampeders.com. “The other team has to prepare for another game, play another game, be nicked up from that game. Where as this week, we’re both healthy and we’re both ready to go….it’ll be a good test, a good battle for us.”
Only a few weeks have past since the Riders and Stamps have last seen each other. Calgary beat Saskatchewan 34-22 back in Week 7 in the first of three meetings between the west rivals. Mitchell threw three touchdown passes while Terry Williams added a 78-yard punt return major in the victory.
While the Stamps clearly have an edge over the Riders, head coach Dave Dickenson says it’s not easy to face the same team on their home turf twice within just a few weeks.
“I guess you’ve seen the facilities, you know what crowd you’re going to get, not that you’re looking forward to it,” said Dickenson. “It’s certainly going to be a tough game. It’s tough to beat anyone back-to-back, I know there’s a game in between there, but two on the road, we know that’s a huge challenge.”
Calgary is a perfect 17-0 while coming off a bye week dating back to 2005.
By The Numbers:
9 – League-high sacks for Riders defensive lineman Charleston Hughes.
14 – Number of points the Stamps have led by in every contest during some point of the game. In CFL history only three teams have ever led by 14-plus points in more than seven consecutive games and none made it to eight in a row.
23 – Straight games that the Calgary Stampeders had at least one sack before the streak was snapped in Week 8.
45 – Team-high tackles this season for Alex Singleton, tied for fourth most in the league.
Can the Stamps be stopped?
Calgary’s 7-0 start is an achievement that only eight teams have accomplished in the last 50 years. If Calgary beats the Riders on Sunday, it will join the elite company of only three other teams: the 1993 Stampeders, the 2002 Alouettes, and the 2005 Lions. However, Montreal was the only team to win the Grey Cup following their stellar regular season.
One of the keys to a Riders’ upset over the Stamps will be the play of Zach Collaros. The 29-year-old is 1-14 in his last 15 starts dating back to his time with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Riders’ offence will be in tough against a Calgary squad that is giving up an average of 12.3 points per game.
Can the Riders snap their two game losing skid and improve to .500? Or will the Stamps continue their undefeated streak?
– With files from Riderville.ca/Stampeders.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.
