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September 23, 2016

Calgary set for clash with Bombers

Receiver Marquay McDaniel during a game on 2016 Canada Day (Photo by David Moll)

At 2 p.m. MDT on Saturday afternoon, the Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers will renew acquaintances at McMahon Stadium.

The Red and White own an unmatched record of 10-1-1 while the Bombers enter the action at 8-4. Unbeaten on home turf, the Stamps will be up against a Winnipeg squad that has only been dealt one loss away from Investors Group Field.

With nine straight triumphs, Calgary will be facing a team on a lengthy winning streak of their own as the Blue Bombers have posted seven consecutive victories. The Stampeders’ run began on July 21 in their last meeting with the Bombers, which also happens to be the last time Winnipeg was defeated. After that Week 5 duel, Matt Nichols took over the starting quarterback role from the recently traded Drew Willy.

As a result of their recent winning ways, this weekend’s matchup will mark the first time in the history of Canadian professional football that two sides with at least seven W’s in a row meet in regular-season play.

Both clubs scored upwards of 45 points en route to conquering their respective opponents last week – Calgary posted 48 hosting Ottawa and Winnipeg tallied 46 entertaining the Argonauts.

Back in the Stamps home-opener, the Blue Bombers were handed a 36-22 defeat. Then, just 20 days later in Manitoba, the Stampeders again downed the Bombers, this time by a score of 33-18.

In those two battles, the Stamps seven majors were scored by five different players. Marquay McDaniel and Simon Charbonneau-Campeau each found the end zone on both occasions.

Anticipated additions to Calgary’s 46-man roster include Shane Bergman, Matt Bucknor, Ciante Evans, Tory Harrison, Kamar Jorden and Zach Minter.

The Stamps went four-for-four in the red zone against Ottawa, and in four of their last five games, the Stampeders have found the end zone at least 50 per cent of the time when scrimmaging from inside their opponent’s 20-yard line.

Meanwhile, Winnipeg has conceded at least two red-zone majors in three of their last four outings.

The Stamps have allowed the fewest points (21.7 per game) and their opponents’ average of 7.7 yards per pass is the lowest in the league. Calgary will be facing a rather opportunistic defence that currently sits No. 1 in the CFL with 43 turnovers forced and 22 interceptions snagged.

Key Matchup

Andrew Harris of the Bombers and Jerome Messam of the Stamps share similar statlines, as the two Canadian running backs are the only players with 140 carries and 650 rushing yards. After a combined 13 seasons, 2016 may finally be the year that either Harris or Messam finally takes home the highly coveted rushing title.

Download the Stamps position chart and roster
Download game notes

Comparative team stats (through Week 14)

Offence Cgy. Rank Wpg. Rank
Points per game 33.8 1st 26.8 5th
First downs 269 2nd 255 5th
Total yards per game 401.6 3rd 352.5 6th
Pass yards per game 328.2 4th 284.4 7th
Rush yards per game 87.3 4th 82.1 6th
Sacks allowed 13 1st 25 4th
Giveaways 13 1st 18 2nd
Defence Cgy. Rank Wpg. Rank
Points allowed per game 21.7 1st 22.3 2nd
Total yards per game 369.8 4th 398.4 8th
Pass yards per game  316.3 7th 338.2 9th
Rush yards per game 73.3 4th 78.1 5th
Sacks 31 3rd 26 6th
Takeaways 28 4th 43 1st