Calgary Stampeders Blog | StampedersForum

Calgary was dominated, embarrassed, manhandled, whatever word you want to use, in the Battle of Alberta Labour Day Classic in Calgary. Imagine, the most important game of the season and what do you get? A boring outing by the home team. How would Calgary respond? They said all the right things but would they put their talk into action on the field?

First Half:

Would the real Stamps show up? First series, first play, BANG, bad snap, live ball, Edmonton recovery, endzone trot, touchdown Edmonton. Great, that kind of Stamps. Luckily the offence came back and methodically marched down the field and scored three. All in all the Stamps dominated the first half 10-8 (the only points the offence made were off a single). However, things would turn completely around after the first.

Second Half Defence Can't Stop Same Play But Come Out Victorious

Right off the bat the tables would turn as Calgary came up huge with an interception touchdown play courtesy of Shannon james. That essentially canceled out the first play TD by the Edmonton D after a Lazeo mistake on the snap.

However, the ensuing series would see Edmonton march the ball all the way down the field keeping the ball for SEVEN minutes. Calgary was incapable of stopping the SAME--that's right SAME PLAY--swing pass to AJ Harris.

Calgary started strong but came out flat and were victimized by losing one-on-one battles. The front four, give them credit, had consistent pressure on Ricky Ray, but when it counted Calgary couldn't make stops. Although, according to some defensive players holding the offense to 3 points is a victory--which is what Calgary did.

The offence finally came onto the field and did what they do best, two and out. This promptly put the D back on the field. The next series the offence did what they do second best--that's give up a fumble. D back on the field, some stupid penalties, Armour lost to a knee injury, three more points off of turnovers. The offence came on the field--in the FOURTH QUARTER. Calgary D was on the field in the third quarter for over twelve minutes.

Time of possession swung into Edmonton's favour as the Stamps offence did NOTHING to help the team. In fact, the Edmonton Eskimos took full command of the game after the first quarter DOUBLING time on the field on offence. All the 'vets' on the offence did nothing, the run game was nothing, the play calls were nothing, the team was nothing. Despite the inadequacies they found themselves with a one point lead going into the fourth.

Slowly but surely the defence wore down and gave up big plays. Special teams were non-existent all game and gave up huge yardage directly leading to points for Edmonton. This one came down to the wire as most CFL games do. Calgary still had the lead, and with a couple of lucky penalty calls got a sustained drive in the fourth quarter. Mr. Dropsey Jermaine Copeland was the target twice and didn't disappoint on the second chance catching a nice pass to score six.

The D hit the field and were victimized repeatedly by the same play dump pass to AJ Harris. Edmonton responded with those plays and a Ricky Ray run for their own response -- a TD. Now can Calgary keep responding? They certainly had tons of time to rest.

Surprisingly late in the game it was the D that came up with a huge stop with less than three minutes remaining. Two and out was the name for the Eskimos, something not done with any degree of frequency in the second half. With a punt situation Edmonton's Christmas Prefontaine bobbles the snap and Calgary forced the turnover on the third down. Calgary ball with two and half minutes on the Edmonton 15.

Result? TOUCHDOWN. But wait, penalty, a tough 'interference' penalty. That's a hockey penalty.....regardless, 1st and 20. After an Edmonton injury on field old Stamps Scott Coe went and took the safety spot and--wham--there went the Rambo to the center and held onto the ball despite the big sandwhich hit. Up went Calgary 38-26.


Despite the poor middle (2nd and 3rd) and despite the early gaff that gave Edmonton an early 7, Calgary actually won the turnover battle on points 21-10. That was the game although Edmonton made it close scoring late while Calgary played deep. An onside kick even went to video review to give everyone a climatic finish to the game, but Calgary hung on to win.

Jermaine Copeland, TDs, catches, and winning the jump ball at the end emerged to have his best game of the season and hopefully will build. Although calgary lost the season series they still had the last laughs and we got a preview of what could be a West division playoff game.

Notes: Reynolds had one carry in the second half although Jon Cornish had some runs and did well. Nik Lewis played through a rib injury but didn't leave showing true grit and heart throwing hits when he wasn't catching balls. Shannon James won the TSN watch and forced one fumble, interception for TD, and tackles. The game was a long one lasting over 3 and a half hours.