Montreal Alouettes at Calgary Stampeders
McMahon Stadium
Saturday, July 21
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. MT
Radio: 770 CHQR, Sirius XM 167
TV: TSN, ESPN +
The goal is 5-0.
The Stampeders are back at McMahon Stadium this Saturday, taking on the Montreal Alouettes in their first match-up of the season.
“We’re ready to play, it’s been a while,” said head coach Dave Dickenson. “We understand the challenges that are going to be at us, so we’ll just play the football game and handle it like we always do.”
“They’ve got skill, they’ve got speed, they’re tough – they just haven’t clicked, so hopefully our defence doesn’t allow them to get in the rhythm and we can handle them.”
The Red & White are looking to continue their early season momentum, after thrashing the Ottawa RedBlacks 27-3 last weekend at TD Place Stadium in an impeccable defensive performance.
And while Bo Levi Mitchell exited that game early due to a knee injury, he’ll start this weekend against Montreal.
“Bo’s ready, I wouldn’t put him out there if he wasn’t ready,” said Dickenson. “He’s got the game, I trust him implicitly, I know he’s going to do a good job.
“I feel good about it and he does, too. He’s been around our offence for a long time so the lack of practice reps I don’t think will be a big issue.
“Bo will get out there and I expect him to play well, which he’s done all year, and hopefully we win.”
And there’s even more welcome news for Stamps fans this week, as running back Terry Williams, receiver Eric Rogers, and defensive back Jamar Wall will all play after spending time on the injured list.
“It’s good to be back finally,” said Wall. “It was week one when I was injured, and it’s been tough. I don’t usually get injured. I haven’t missed a game in awhile, this was a new thing for me. It was a test for me mentally, but I’m ready to bounce back and continue to win.”
As for the visitors, the Alouettes are coming off their third loss of the season, falling 28-18 to the RedBlacks on July 6.
But regardless of Montreal’s shaky 1-3 start to the season, the Stamps won’t be taking anything for granted.
“The reason we have the record we’ve had over the past five or six years is because we don’t take any team lightly,” said Mitchell. “I don’t care what your record is, how you’ve played, who your coach, quarterback, safety, or anybody is – we’re going to go out there and play like you’re the best thing in the league.”
“Everyone always comes in and wants to beat us at home, so we can’t underestimate them,” Wall agreed. “If we underestimate them and come in sleeping, they can beat us.
“We just have to stay prepared, stick with our game plan, and do what we do.”
Additions to this week’s 46-man roster are Eric Rogers, Jamar Wall, Eric Mezzalira, Terry Williams, and Spencer Wilson. The five subtractions will be Troy Stoudermire, Royce Metchie, Romar Morris, Justin Renfrow, and Julan Lynch.