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Mediocre Saskatchewan Beats Lackluster Stamps

Attention drunk hicks who pass as Roughrider fans, Joseph screwed you not Burris. (Although if I were a drunk hick like you I would jeer Burris too since it apparently caves the entire team.)

In one of those days where Calgary sports fans were in a conundrum, the Calgary Flames were in pre-season action on TV as well, the Stampeders continued their run of first place dominance in the West Division in Saskatchewan.

Playing in Saskatchewan is one of the hardest home turfs to play namely because the of the screaming drunk hicks who scream and chant all game long. Truthfully it's great to see a pro-sports team so passionate about their only pro team.

Calgary fans get their chance next week in the home-at-home series, but it remains to be seen how many real Stamps fans show up to cheer the home team and heckle the opposition. What the home team hopes is that the coaches call a better game, are more prepared and can make worthwhile adjustments.

Coaching Staff Abandon Run - Blow Crucial Calls

First Half:
Micheal Bishop picked a good game to perform and did so admirably in the first half. Henry Burris and the Calgary offence, along with the defence, sputtered for consistency early but managed to respond score for score in the first half. It was clear that he loud home crowd had an impact, one that is rarely felt in Calgary.

Apparently Calgary has a terrible running game. Well maybe we have weapons, but Joffrey Reynolds is a terrible running back, or hurt, or something. How else can you explain 4 carries for 16 yards going into the fourth quarter? No wonder Calgary seemed to be one dimensional on offence, pass pass pass, it was because they were.

The defence struggled all game to contain and pressure Bishop. There were few adjustments, zero sacks, limited hurries. All day to pick apart zones and blown coverage. A bad outing by the front four for Calgary suggesting the loss of Mike Labinjo is bigger than the Stamps let on. The defensive game was clearly won by Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan receiver Dressler spent the entire game catching 10 yard gains in crucial second down situations destroying the secondary. Although no big gains were made, Calgary could only muster three two-and-outs ALL GAME.

The game was close until the fourth quarter.

No Challenge Flag, Coaching Drops Ball Again

In the forth favorable Calgary made two goal line stands but coach Hufnagel neglected to throw the challenge flag for reasons unknown on a play that may have given Calgary the ball and removed points from Saskatchewan. Another gaff in preparation by the coaching staff? Play looked to be 'down by contact' but a review would have pushed the Roughriders back 1.5 yards.

Henry Burris could have used a running game to help his the passing game. Is this the Feterik regime? 6 runing plays all game for Reynolds? After only a field-goal per quarter in the second half, Ryan Thelwell caught a 35 yard pass to make it interesting but Calgary had nothing to give and not a poor game plan.


Micheal Bishop thought he won the Grey Cup with a cocky throw into the crowd at the final gun. In actuality, there was no reason to be cocky since Bishop, although playing admirably, got all the help from a quality Roughrider defence.

Out coached, outplayed, and we'll see on Thanksgiving monday if the home crowd will be out cheered. Is the hurt Saskatchewan team really this good? No, they aren't, but Calgary was just this bad, and their (Sask.) defence.

Notes: Calgary's first penalty was last in the third quarter. Saskatchewan's first punt was mid way through the third. First two and out for Saskatchewan was late in the third.