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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
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 |