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Calgary Stampeders vs Toronto Argonauts
Tackle Hunger presented by Purolator
McMahon Stadium
Friday, Oct. 21
7 p.m. kickoff
In their final regular-season home game of 2016, the Calgary Stampeders will entertain the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night at 7 p.m. MDT.
The Stamps bid to complete an unblemished record of 9-0 at McMahon Stadium for the first time since a Wally Buono-led squad accomplished the feat in 1994.
Toronto’s last game action was a 29-11 home defeat to the Roughriders. Calgary hosted the back end of the double-header last Saturday and earned a win over Montreal by a score of 22-8.
Prior to their clash earlier this month, the Stampeders and Argonauts had split their previous 10 meetings. In terms of past matchups at McMahon, the Stamps have gone 7-3 since 2006.
Now at 14-1-1 overall, the Stamps clinched first place in the West Division with their 48-20 win over these same Argos at BMO Field on Oct. 10. On that occasion, Jerome Messam punished the Argos defence for 133 rushing yards in addition to Kamar Jorden and DaVaris Daniels each recording over 100 receiving yards as well as a touchdown catch.
Meanwhile, Toronto currently sits at 5-11 and occupies third place in the East. A five-game losing streak and eight losses in their last nine tries has the Double Blue on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention.
A victory for the Stampeders on Friday would earn them a season-series sweep versus an opponent for the fifth time through seven season series completed thus far.
Calgary has had 59 red-zone opportunities this year compared to just 38 on behalf of the Argonauts. Also of note, the Stamps’ Glenn Love and the Argos’ Llevi Noel are tied for third in the CFL with 19 special teams tackles apiece.
Ricky Ray, who has been out of the lineup since early September, will start in relief of Drew Willy. Ray last appeared against the Red and White in September of 2014, throwing for 388 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-33 loss. On that day, the Stamps overcame a 29-10 halftime deficit.
There will be five lineup changes for the Stamps this week. Shane Bergman, Micah Johnson, William Langlais, Deron Mayo and Marquay McDaniel will be substituted in favour of Max Caron, Brad Erdos, Zach Minter, Osagie Odiase and Joe West.
Key Matchup
Charleston Hughes and Shawn Lemon, former Grey Cup champions together in Calgary, are tied for the league lead with 14 quarterback takedowns apiece. Hughes recorded a career-high 18 sacks in 2013 while Lemon of the Argos has already surpassed his personal best of 13 from the 2014 season.
Download the Stamps’ position chart
Download game notes
Comparative team stats (through Week 17)
Offence | Cgy. | Rank | Tor. | Rank |
Points per game | 34.2 | 1st | 22.1 | 7h |
First downs | 362 | 2nd | 331 | 6th |
Total yards per game | 404.3 | 3rd | 329.8 | 8th |
Pass yards per game | 322.9 | 4th | 258.4 | 9th |
Rush yards per game | 94.9 | 3rd | 88.1 | 5th |
Sacks allowed | 18 | 1st | 42 | 7th |
Giveaways | 21 | 1st | 43 | 9th |
Defence | Cgy. | Rank | Tor. | Rank |
Points allowed per game | 21.2 | 1st | 31.0 | 9th |
Total yards per game | 338.4 | 1st | 371.0 | 5th |
Pass yards per game | 293.3 | 3rd | 280.1 | 1st |
Rush yards per game | 68.7 | 1st | 112.1 | 8th |
Sacks | 48 | 1st | 38 | 4th |
Takeaways | 39 | 2nd | 36 | 3rd |