Calgary Stampeders coach Dave Dickenson has an explanation for his team’s 4-5 record.
“I think there was some good play at times (but) a little lack of consistency,” he said. “We’re not in love with our position but we know we can get to where we need to go. It’s important to kind of look at the past and learn from the past but keep eyes looking forward.”
Calgary will train its eyes on the visiting Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday night, looking for revenge after perhaps the worst performance of its up-and-down first half. When the teams last played on July 26 in Canada’s capital, the Stampeders couldn’t handle Ottawa’s defensive front and absorbed a 33-6 pounding.
But Calgary has been a different team in McMahon Stadium, where it’s 4-0 with wins over perennial Grey Cup contender the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, plus likely playoff teams in the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts. It has won those four home games by a total of 16 points.
The Stampeders are coming off a 39-25 loss on Friday night in Toronto, where they committed four turnovers. The costliest came when Jake Maier tossed a fourth-quarter interception to defensive back DaShaun Amos.
Meanwhile, the Redblacks (5-2-1) will have a familiar face at quarterback. Veteran Jeremiah Masoli will play his first game in 13 months since rupturing his Achilles tendon. He replaces Dru Brown (ankle), who was injured last week in the team’s 22-22 tie with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“I almost feel like a rookie with a lot of experience,” Masoli said. “I’m looking forward to that first hit just to get back into the football mindset of things, the physical nature of the game. My team has surrounded me with people (to) set me up for success.”
Ottawa is second in the East but has areas it wants to clean up. Specifically, it hopes for better work from an offensive line that allowed five sacks last week.
“A very good team at home,” Redblacks coach Bob Dyce said of Calgary. “They want to continue their success at home.”
–Field Level Media
