While Kamar Jorden would have much preferred a win in Week 1, the fourth-year Stampeders receiver was able to make his presence felt on Saturday night versus the Lions.

The Darby, Penn., native and former Bowling Green Falcon racked up a trio of receptions at BC Place, equalling his career total coming into the contest. Hauling in 48-yard long-bomb in the early stages of the opening quarter and later claiming Calgary’s first major score of 2016 were two of the top offensive highlights for the Red and White.

“They played a deep zone and the play call that Dickie (head coach Dave Dickenson) had was just exactly for that,” explained Jorden when asked about his first trip to the end zone as a pro. “So I knew I’d probably get open around the middle of the field and thank God (that) Bo found me in the end zone. I knew a DB was behind me so I knew a hit was coming. As soon as I caught the ball I made sure I held on like ‘You’re not taking this touchdown from me.’”

Perhaps one of the most intriguing position battles throughout training camp was between Jorden and free-agent signee Bakari Grant. Jorden won starting job, and is looking to help fill the void in the receiving corps left by former Stampeder and current San Francisco 49er Eric Rogers.

“Since day one of camp, it’s kind of been talked about the whole time – who was going to replace Eric,” the six-foot-three, 207-lb. pass catcher noted. “And then it was more of who was going to start in the end (between) me and Bakari. I had a good camp and Bakari had a good camp. Once I knew my number was called, at the end of the day, it’s football. I’ve just got to play my game and I had to get that out of my head.”

But despite a strong individual showing, the 27-year-old was disappointed with the final result, knowing his squad had an excellent opportunity to kick off the campaign with a road victory over a division rival.

“That touchdown and all that stuff, it really doesn’t mean a lot when you lose like that,” No. 88 reflected. “I feel like it was a game we should have won. We had a lot of mistakes, I made a lot of mistakes – a lot of stuff that is correctable – but it’s Week 1. We have a lot to work on and we had a lot of bright spots. As long as we work, we’re going to be fine.”

Already anxious to start preparing for the Blue Bombers ahead of next week’s home-opener, Jorden welcomes the ensuing workload in order to become a consistent playmaker in the Stamps passing attack.

“Dickie and (receivers coach) Pete (Costanza) are going to let me know all the mistakes I made,” stated the former Arena Football League standout. “I’ve just got to go watch film, correct those mistakes and make sure that I don’t make those mistakes again. It’s really those mental mistakes. I could have made a couple better blocks, but I feel like I played physical.”