It’s a cliché because it’s true.

While Alex Singleton is proud of the ever-increasing list of tackles records he’s adding to his collection, there’s just one problem.

“It’s always better,” says the second-year middle linebacker, who broke Calgary’s single-season tackles record Saturday in Edmonton, “when you do it in a win.

“It’s like setting the (CFL single-season record for tackles by a Canadian) last week when we lost against Saskatchewan. It’s nice to be able to have personal records, but it doesn’t mean anything if the team isn’t having success.”

Winning isn’t something Calgary was having any trouble with until hitting a speed bump these past two weeks. Yes, first place is already on lockdown thanks to a 13-1-1 start that included an 11-game winning streak. And, sure, the Stamps know they’ll be hosting the Western Final on Nov. 19.

Still, the team is taking these back-to-back losses to heart.

“Yeah, we know we’ll be playing on November 19th,” nods Singleton. “But we want to be at our best and playing good football on November 19th. That’s why it’s important to get back on track and to have a good game on Friday against Winnipeg.

“We know what we’re capable of. Now it’s just a matter of regrouping and getting back to playing the way we know we can.”

So for now, all energies are being focused on team achievements.

There’ll be plenty of time in the off-season and beyond to savour the eye-popping numbers Singleton is putting up and the incredible consistency with which he’s wrestling opposing ball-carriers to the turf this season.

With 121 defensive tackles, he’s already broken Kevin Eiben’s CFL single-season record for Canadians as well as George White’s team mark.

With 123 total tackles – Singleton also has a pair of takedowns on special teams – the long-haired linebacker has also broken the Stamps record of 122 previously held by Doug Landry.

Despite all the collisions in which he’s been involved – that he’s initiated, actually – this year, Singleton says he’s feeling fine heading into Week 20.

“Oh yeah, no problems,” reports the 23-year-old Montana State alum before adding with a laugh. “Guys are kidding me all the time that the only reason I’m feeling OK is because I’m a young guy.”