EDMONTON — For the fourth time this season, and second week in a row, the Calgary Stampeders and the Edmonton Elks will square off in a West Division battle.
Calgary has won each of the two teams’ three previous meetings this season. Most recently capturing a 26-18 victory over the Elks on Labour Day. As the two rivals enter Week 14, there are crucial points on the line as the battle for seeding with the West Division races on.
As the Elks prepare to host the Stampeders to close out a Saturday tripleheader, they will be looking to snap a two game slide. The team is also still in search of it’s first win at Commonwealth Stadium this season.
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Over the Labour Day Weekend, Calgary quarterback Jake Maier continued to impress as the team’s starting quarterback. He completed 18 passes for 238 yards with two touchdowns. Both of which came during a crucial 15-point third quarter to help Calgary edge a victory.
Receivers Malik Henry and Reggie Begelton both relished the spotlight against the Elks, each providing big plays when their team needed them most. Henry led the team with 67 receiving yards last week, while Begelton caught the two touchdown passes from Maier.
Begelton was happy with his team’s win over the Elks on Labour Day, but understands that Week 14 will require the same quality of play if the team is to be successful.
“At the end of the day we were shooting for a win, and we got that win,” Begelton told Stampeders.com in a post-game interview. “It’s not going to be easy on the weekend either. My biggest thing coming into a game is consistency. When a ball comes my way I want to make the most of it.”
It’s not just the Stamps receiving corps that has the ability to infuriate an opposing defence. Running back Ka’Deem Carey ranks second in the CFL with 594 rushing yards and hard rushed for over 60 yards in his past six starts.
In the previous three games against Edmonton, the Stampeders ball carrier has amassed 256 yards and two touchdowns, while averaging 5.8 yards per carry.
As a defence the Stamps have held their provincial rivals to 15.6 points per game in the three previous meetings. The Stamps pass rush made life difficult for made Taylor Cornelius on Labour Day, sacking him six times. Defensive lineman Folarin Orimolade had two, while defensive linemen Shawn Lemon, Terrell McClain, Mike Rose and linebacker Jameer Thurman had one each.
The Stamps ability to pressure the quarterback from multiple angles will be something the Elks offensive line needs to be ready for.
Cornelius showed grit during his performance in the Labour Day Classic. Despite facing immense pressure all game long, he completed 22 of 33 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns.
Without star receivers Kenny Lawler and Emmanuel Arceneaux in the line up, it was the likes of Dillon Mitchell, Jalin Marshall and running back Kevin Brown who provided the Edmonton offence with momentum. Mitchell reeled in six of his eight targets for a team-high 79 yards and a touchdown, while Marshall was on the receiving end of Cornelius’ second passing touchdown.
Brown was equally as effective in the Elks offence, making the most of his opportunities. The Edmonton back carried the ball five times for 45 yards in the game, adding another 51 yards through the air on six receptions.
The Elks defence held the Stamps to 301 yards of total offence last week and will need to give their offence a chance to be on the field. Jake Ceresna sacked Maier twice and the recently acquired Avery Ellis had a sack of his own in his debut with his new team.
The secondary has intercepted a second lowest 8 passes this season, but Mark McLaurin had his first interceptions of the year in Calgary a week ago.
Elks head coach Chris Jones is happy to have a quick turnaround this week and knows protecting Cornelius will be a key to his team’s success.
“It’s a good thing to get this taste out of our mouth,” Jones told GoElks.com. “We just have to make sure we get everyone back. We need to protect our quarterback a bit more certainly and give him a chance to look down the field. It seemed like every time his back foot hit the ground he had to move.”
Calgary can move to 8-4 with a victory and keep pace with the BC Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Edmonton is in need of a win to keep their playoff hopes above water.
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