Stamps looking to make it two straight wins when they travel to Toronto
Act 1 is in the books for the Calgary Stampeders.
Article content
And it was more than enough of a debut for the transitioning team to raise a few eyebrows — in a positive way.
Article content
Article content
A 38–26 home-field victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats was the right first step forward for the Stampeders, especially since they controlled — for the most part — their Canadian Football League season opener.
Article content
'We've been talking about a good feel in this locker room, about guys feeling like the team is taking steps forward,' said Stampeders GM and head coach Dave Dickenson. 'But you really get validation when you do it in a game. And we've got a long way to go.
Article content
Article content
'I mean, there are a lot of people who weren't too sure what the Calgary Stampeders are all about.
Article content
'For Week 1, we showed that we're a physical team, an aggressive team, a team that has playmakers and goes after the ball,' continued Dickenson. 'So those are all good things for us. I've been preaching, 'Hey, everything we get will be earned,' and I thought we earned it.
Article content
'I thought we earned that win.'
Article content
So what's in store for Act 2 against the defending CFL champions, when the Stampeders (1–0) visit the Grey Cup-winning Toronto Argonauts (0–1) on Saturday at BMO Field (2 p.m., TSN)?
Article content
Stay tuned come game-time — the team's first road game of the 2025 CFL campaign.
Article content
Article content
Sure, it's just one win in the standings.
Article content
But it's a capital 'W' for a franchise that's failed to post many — just 11 — in the past two seasons.
Article content
And when it comes on the heels of a couple of feel-good pre-season triumphs, the Stamps have suddenly found their confidence, taking the field with heads held high.
Article content
'It's major,' said linebacker Gary Johnson Jr. of last Saturday's decision at McMahon Stadium. 'We needed this win. We were hungry for it. We got two dubs in the pre-season, and we're just stacking them right now.'
Article content
Stacking another Saturday would certainly make an impact.
Article content
Against the reigning champs, that may seem a challenge. But the Argonauts aren't exactly a powerhouse, and they're depleted by injuries. Plus, they don't have the same confidence the Stamps are sporting after Week 1, having lost 28–10 on the road to the Montréal Alouettes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
5 hours ago
- National Post
10 Thoughts: Roughriders run game, kicking problems and more
Article content 5. While Brett Lauther came into the game having made 23 straight field goals, he missed on three of his five attempts on Saturday night. Lauther was not able to kick during practice this week after the Riders were forced inside due to the smoky conditions in Regina. Plus, he's adjusting to a new holder this year in rookie punter Joe Couch. I don't want to make excuses for him but one bad game isn't cause for concern. Look at what he did last year after missing four field goals in Week 11 against Montreal. He made 28 of his next 29 kicks to end the season. It also didn't cost the Riders a victory. Article content 6. Did you notice the Canadian flag graphic on individual players during the TSN broadcast when they pulled up the starting rosters? I wonder if they read last week's Roughriders Mailbag when a reader, Fred Clipsham, brought this idea up. It's a nice touch. Article content 7. After giving up 413 passing yards last week against the Ottawa Redblacks, it was almost assumed Bo Levi Mitchell would get over the 300-yard mark against Saskatchewan's defence on Saturday. Mitchell completed his first 12 passes and was 15-of-19 for 167 yards in the first half before ending the night with 336 passing yards. Considering how well Saskatchewan's defence is against the run (51 rushing yards allowed Saturday), their zone passing defence continues to be exploited. But as long as they're making big plays when they need them, the system seems to be effective. Article content Article content 8. After registering 10 tackles and sack last week against the Ottawa Redblacks, Roughriders middle linebacker Jameer Thurman had five tackles and another sack against the Ti-Cats. As good as Saskatchewan's defensive line and secondary are, Thurman might be the most important piece of the defence. But let's not forget about halfback Rolan Milligan, who after leaving Saskatchewan's opening game with a concussion, intercepted Mitchell and returned it 64 yards for his first career touchdown. Both are on their way to second straight all-star seasons. Article content 9. Harris completed passes to seven players on Saturday with KeeSean Johnson leading the way with eight catches for 124 yards and a touchdown as he registered his third career 100-yard game after notching 101 yards and 103 yards in Week 17 and 18 last season respectively. With Kian Schaffer-Baker on the injured list and Samuel Emilus finishing the game on the sideline, Johnson put together a big performance and the former NFLer should continue to do so on a weekly basis regardless of who is in the lineup for Saskatchewan. Article content 10. And lastly, what constitutes a 'potential scoring play'? Early in the fourth quarter, when Tiger-Cats receiver Kenny Lawler hauled in a deep pass before knocking over the end-zone pylon, Hamilton's offence ran another play, which resulted in a touchdown. There was then some confusion as Roughriders head coach Corey Mace had already thrown his challenge flag prior to the touchdown plunge. The play went back to a review via challenge. Was the catch by Lawler a 'potential scoring play' since he was so close to the end zone? It didn't appear to be the case but when it's that close, shouldn't it? The call on the field was eventually confirmed on the field by the Command Centre prior to the challenge, so it didn't really matter anyway. Article content
Globe and Mail
6 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Saskatchewan Roughriders beat Hamilton Tiger-Cats 28-23 with Johnson's late TD
KeeSean Johnson enjoyed his Canadian Football League coming-out party on Saturday. The 28-year-old receiver hauled in eight passes for a career-high 128 yards to lift the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 28-23 win against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before 22,810 at Tim Hortons Field. His 15-yard touchdown reception midway through the fourth quarter was the difference maker, putting the visitors ahead 27-20. 'I want to say a lot of our receivers probably don't get talked about as much as I feel they should,' Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said. 'KeeSean Johnson is an unbelievable receiver. 'He got the highlight (catch) tonight. So, hopefully, moving forward people will understand who Mr. Johnson is.' After a successful collegiate career at Fresno State, the Arizona Cardinals drafted Johnson in the sixth round (174th overall) in 2019. He spent two years with the Cardinals, gaining a first-rate receiver education watching standout Larry Fitzgerald prepare and perform. Johnson then bounced around, making stops on the practice rosters of the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills before landing in Regina. 'I've still got a lot of learning to do with this team and this league,' said Johnson, who has portraits of his two daughters, Brooklyn and Jersey, tattooed on his right leg. 'Every day since camp and since last year I try to learn and work hard as hard as possible every day. Our coaches push us every day.' Johnson went to Palo Alto High School and crossed paths with Los Angeles Rams wideout Davante Adams. Johnson was a freshman there, while Adams was in his final year. Johnson then followed Adams to Fresno State. He redshirted as a freshman and then went out and broke all of Adams' school receiving records, including 275 catches for 3,463 yards. He also caught a pass in 50 consecutive games, shattering a 35-year-old school record of 34, set by Henry Ellard. Although he likes to talk about what he's learned from players such as Fitzgerald and Adams, the most frequent question Johnson has been asked is if the spelling of his first name is correct because of its similarity to Keyshawn Johnson, the retired Super Bowl champion receiver. 'My Dad liked the name KeeSean,' Johnson said. 'That's the story.' 'But I did meet Keyshawn Johnson. When I was looking for an agent. We talked with him. We didn't choose him as my agent, but I'm still friendly with him when I see him.'
Winnipeg Free Press
6 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Getting better with age, Marchand scores twice in the Panthers' Game 5 win over the Oilers
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — It's 2011 all over again for Brad Marchand, who at 37 is showing signs he's actually getting better with age in inching the Florida Panthers within a victory of their second straight Stanley Cup title. Marchand scored twice, including being credited with his second winning goal of the Cup Finals, in a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. In bouncing back from squandering a 3-0 lead in Game 4 on Thursday, the Panthers return home with a 3-2 series lead for Game 6 on Tuesday. 'Yeah, we've been pretty good at bouncing back all playoffs,' Marchand said. 'We learned a pretty good lesson last game.' Of his 10 playoff goals, six have come in the Cup final series, making Marchand the 18th player to do so in the final and first since Edmonton's Esa Tikkanen scored that many in 1988. And Marchand, who scored five times in Boston's 2011 Cup-winning final series over Vancouver, joined Mario Lemieux in becoming just the second player over the past 50 years to score five or more times in multiple Cup finals. He also became the oldest player to do it. Acquired by Florida at the NHL trade deadline in March, the former Boston captain opened the scoring Saturday night midway through the first period. And then essentially sealed the victory by putting Florida up 3-0 at the 5:12 mark of the third. Both goals were scored in similar fashion, with Marchand jumping on a loose puck, putting his head down and driving to the net. ___ AP NHL:
