Surging Calgary Stampeders brace for tough rematch challenge from Blue Bombers in Winnipeg
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Their ridiculously successful record on their own field the last four-plus Canadian Football League campaigns is proof of that.
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But throw in a pinch of motivation — such as the vengeance they're likely to have on their minds over being dominated two weeks ago at McMahon Stadium — and the Blue Bombers are potentially fuelled to bring even more bite than usual to play the visiting Calgary Stampeders.
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'Yeah … I call it a challenge,' said GM/head coach Dave Dickenson, with a chuckle, looking ahead to the rematch between his Stampeders (4-1) and the Blue Bombers (3-1) on Friday at Winnipeg's Princess Auto Stadium (6:30 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge).
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Included is a 2-0 mark so far this season, after 34-20 and 36-23 victories over the BC Lions and Edmonton Elks, respectively.
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'I mean … we understand what they're about,' continued Dickenson. 'But we're going to focus on ourselves. Just make sure we show up, play a solid game where we don't make mental errors and play with poise and understand taking care of the football is priority one.
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'If we do those type of things, we kind of let the result take care of itself.'
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That was the case when the Stamps surprised the Bombers two weeks back in the Stampede Bowl.
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The Red and White got out of the gate fast and did nearly everything right in riding to a 37-16 stampede of the five-time division kings.
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'Of course we don't expect them to like us (after that game),' said Stamps quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. 'But that's another great opponent coming up for us— you know … five-time West (Division) champions.
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'And they're at home — sold-out crowd — and they're coming off a bye, so they're going to be fresh and ready to go. So we've got to bring our 'A' game.'
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Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Toronto (2-5) recorded its first victory in four home games. The Argos also earned a fourth straight win over Winnipeg (3-3), which includes their 41-24 decision over the Blue Bombers in last year's Grey Cup game. Toronto won the turnover battle 7-1. Arbuckle was 22-of-31 passing or 316 yards, while Damonte Coxie had six catches for 145 yards and a TD before an announced BMO Field gathering of 13,266. Winnipeg starter Zach Collaros was 5-of-10 passing for 79 yards and two interceptions in the first half. But he rejoined his teammates in the third quarter on the sidelines as Chris Streveler moved under centre. There was no immediate reason given for Collaros' departure. He also left last week's 41-20 loss to Calgary with a neck injury but did resume practising with the Bombers. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The two teams meet again Friday night at Princess Auto Stadium. Streveler finished 11-of-18 passing for 148 yards and a TD. DaVaris Daniels had Toronto's other touchdown. Jerreth Sterns and James Vaughters scored Winnipeg's touchdowns. Hajrullahu's 36-yard field goal at 6:16 of the fourth put Toronto ahead 31-17. Streveler found Sterns on an 18-yard TD pass at 14:50 of the third, cutting Toronto's lead to 28-17. Hajrullahu kicked a 21-yard field goal at 5:55. Hajrullahu's 16-yard field goal to end the second quarter put Toronto ahead 25-10 and culminated a smart 15-play, 92-yard march. The wet, rainy conditions didn't seem to bother the Argos, who accumulated 305 net offensive yards (compared to 104 for Winnipeg) while forcing three turnovers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Toronto outscored Winnipeg 16-0 in the second quarter. Hajrullahu's 22-yard field goal moved Toronto ahead 19-10 at 8:03. Cameron Judge's interception then set up Hajrullahu's 40-yard boot at 9:16. Arbuckle put Toronto back ahead 16-10 with an 18-yard scoring strike to Daniels at 3:13. Vaughters gave Winnipeg a 10-9 lead, returning a Khalan Laborn fumble 29 yards for the touchdown at 13:26 of the first. It followed a botched snap to Streveler on second-and-three that resulted in a 15-yard loss. Hajrullahu's 32-yard field goal at 11:01 put Toronto up 9-3. It was set up by Brandon Calver's recovery of Trey Vaval's fumble on a punt return. Castillo's 39-yard field goal at 8:16 cut Toronto's lead to 6-3. The Argos opened the scoring with Arbuckle's 33-yard TD pass to Coxie at 3:23. Receiver Janarion Grant, an ex-Bomber, started the four-play, 81-yard drive with a 41-yard completion to Coxie. But Hajrullahu's convert try hit the upright. Columnists Toronto & GTA Columnists Columnists Toronto Blue Jays
