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July 14, 2018

First Stint a Success for Arbuckle

Nick Arbuckle (9) of the Calgary Stampeders during the game at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, ON on Thursday, July 12, 2018. (Photo: Johany Jutras / CFL)

A memorable evening for one Stampeder.

Thursday’s 27-3 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks is one backup quarterback Nick Arbuckle won’t soon forget.

The sophomore Stampeder spent over two quarters on the field during the game, relieving Bo Levi Mitchell after the starter left the game due to a lower-body injury.

And Arbuckle definitely made the most of it, throwing his first CFL touchdown during the tilt – a fourth quarter endzone pass caught by Lemar Durant.

“It was really exciting,” Arbuckle said. “When we got the play call I knew the kind of coverage we were going to get.

“Me and Lemar talked in the huddle and we knew a touchdown was basically going to be the result of the play as long as we connected on the throw – we knew he was going to be open in the back of the endzone on that.

“It was fun seeing all the film work and study you put into the game beforehand resulting on the field in a good play.”

The major was on top of an already solid outing for the sophomore Stampeder, who went 8-for-14 for 84 yards during his shift.

“It was a really cool experience being able to get in and lead the offence a little bit, it was fun,” he said.

“Everybody seemed to be clicking and executing really well. The receivers and offensive line were doing a great job, and the running backs were making it really easy for me.”

Saturday’s outing wasn’t the first time Arbuckle found success for the Stamps on the field, he’s been excelling in short-yardage plays all season – with a 100% success rate over nine carries thus far.

“We’ve always been able to get the first down,” he said. “Everybody on the line of scrimmage has been doing a good job making my job easy to get those first downs.

“Short yardage also keeps me locked in the game, and gets me to get hit a little bit earlier on in the game. It takes away those nerves when I do have to come in later on for any kind of relief duties such as last game.”

And while it wasn’t a perfect performance, it was promising for coaches as they seek a reliable backup after the departure of Andrew Buckley earlier this year.

“A guy that’s a brand new quarterback to the league, you never know how they’re going to react to the game,” said head coach Dave Dickenson.

“He still made some plays, he saw the field well, made some big throws, managed the pocket and did things we need him to do. It should pay off for us next time he plays.”

“When he gets his number called I have faith in him.”