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August 3, 2016

Stamps take on Riders

Running back Jerome Messam on Oct. 31, 2015 (Photo by Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh)

The Calgary Stampeders welcome the Saskatchewan Roughriders to town on Thursday night for the first of two consecutive match-ups between the longstanding rivals. Game time is 8 p.m. MDT.

With a dramatic come-from-behind victory over the BC Lions on Friday night, the Stamps improved to a West-leading 3-1-1. The overtime triumph saw the Red and White outlast the Leos 44-41.

The Riders find themselves on the opposite end of the spectrum, currently sitting fifth in the Division at 1-4. Coming off a lopsided 41-3 loss in Montreal, Saskatchewan will be looking to earn its first win away from Mosaic Stadium in 2016, as well as victory No. 1 against a Western opponent.

Over the last 10 seasons, the Stampeders have posted a 10-3-1 record when hosting the Roughriders and have picked up seven straight W’s against Saskatchewan at McMahon Stadium.

A season ago, Calgary swept their two-game season-series over Saskatchewan – 34-31 in Regina and 42-19 in Southern Alberta.

Running back Jerome Messam suited up for the Riders in the Aug. 22 showdown before a late-season trade saw the former all-star shipped to the Stamps. He then rushed for 121 yards against his former squad in Week 19.

Since the beginning of 2012, the Stamps have posted a 32-6 mark at home overall. The Riders are a mere 13-25 on the road over the same stretch.

After rehabbing a shoulder injury suffered in Calgary’s Canada Day contest versus the Blue Bombers, defensive lineman Quinn Smith could make his long-awaited return to the lineup on Thursday. Frank Beltre may also see the field on game day after a two-week absence.

A league-high 13 turnovers have been committed by the Roughriders through five games this year while the Stampeders have forced seven fumbles and recorded four interceptions.

Saturday, Aug. 13 will see the same two sides go at it once again, with the Stamps playing their 112th and final regular-season game at the Riders’ current stadium with a new facility slated to open in time for the 2017 campaign.

Key Matchup

Saskatchewan’s Naaman Roosevelt has tallied 544 receiving yards through five games and his 56 targets are tied for the most in the CFL. The Riders’ next-most prolific pass catcher to date, Ricky Collins, has totaled 299 yards with 25 attempts thrown his direction. Calgary has gone with a much different approach in the passing game thus far, with Marquay McDaniel, Anthony Parker and Bakari Grant teaming up for a total of 779 yards and five touchdowns on a minimum of 27 targets apiece.

Download Stamps position chart

Download game notes

Comparative team stats (through Week 6)

Offence Cgy. Rank Ssk. Rank
Points per game 31.4 1st 22.7 7th
First downs per game 23.0 4th 20.0 8th
Total yards per game 393.0 4th 345.0 6th
Pass yards per game 316.8 4th 308.6 6th
Rush yards per game 95.0 3rd 57.6 8th
Sacks allowed 8 1st 9 2nd
Giveaways 8 1st 13 6th
Defence Cgy. Rank Ssk. Rank
Points allowed per game 25.4 6th 35.8 9th
Total yards per game 395.8 6th 398.2 7th
Pass yards per game  344.6 7th 320.6 5th
Rush yards per game 70.8 5th 91.4 8th
Sacks 11 6th 8 8th
Takeaways 14 3rd 7 9th