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July 8, 2016

81 goes for 89

Receiver Bakari Grant during a game in Ottawa on July 8, 2016. (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

Seeing his initial action for the Stamps after being left off the 44-man roster in Calgary’s first two games, Bakari Grant hit the ground running on Friday night.

In the Stampeders 26-26 tie from Ottawa, No. 81 had five receptions for 89 yards, 54 of which coming after the catch.

His most notable contribution in the Week 3 match-up was a 46-yard catch-and-run in the latter stages of the fourth quarter that eventually set up a game-tying touchdown catch from Jerome Messam.

“It felt good,” said the California-Davis product when asked about his much-anticipated game-day debut. “It just felt natural to be back on the field. As much as I trained in the off-season, I didn’t do it to be in training camp or in practice. I did it for the games, so it felt good to be back out there.”

Arriving early to Calgary this spring to get a head-start on building chemistry with Bo Levi Mitchell appeared to have paid off, as it didn’t take Grant long to get into a groove with Red and White’s all-star pivot.

“I was fully comfortable,” the six-foot-four receiver stated in regard to being incorporated into the offence. “Bo and I have kind of clicked since we started (working together) and I’m really comfortable with the offence. I felt right at home.”

The six-year CFL veteran and former Hamilton Ticat was frustrated with the final outcome from TD Place Stadium, recognizing that the Stamps had ample opportunity to pick up their first road win of the season.

“I don’t think anybody is satisfied,” offered Grant, whose older brother Robert played for the now-defunct Ottawa Renegades back in 2005. “It was so anti-climatic. It’s disheartening – it takes the wind out of you a little bit.”

Despite picking up just a single point in the standings, Calgary appeared to be headed for a defeat if not for the stout Stampeders defence. With just 1:40 left on the clock in a 20-20 game, rookie linebacker Alex Singleton forced a Nic Grigsby fumble inches away from Calgary’s goal line. Safety Joshua Bell made the recovery, although the offence was unable to get into scoring range before the two sides headed for OT.

“Our defence played amazing pretty much the whole night,” Grant remarked. “They’re a bend-but-don’t-break kind of defence and they always make plays when teams get in the green zone. So it wasn’t surprising, it was just something that happened. Then it was ‘let’s go, let’s get the ball downfield.’”