Latest news with #DamienAlford
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Calgary Stampeders weather delay, knock off top-spot Saskatchewan Roughriders
How's this for a shocker? The top-spot Calgary Stampeders. It wasn't what many fans — if any — expected to see from a team in transition coming into the 2025 Canadian Football League campaign. Yet after Saturday's smoke-delayed — and dominate — victory over the host Saskatchewan Roughriders, there are the Stampeders on top of the CFL standings with a surprising 4-1 record. It's the second straight week the Stamps have knocked off an unbeaten team on the schedule — this one in 24-10 fashion at Regina's Mosaic Stadium. 'We came up with the win,' an excited Stampeders rookie receiver Damien Alford, one of the stars of the triumph in Saskatchewan, told QR Calgary post-game. 'We've put ourselves in the mindset that no matter who was in front of us, we just have to go out there and play our type of football — and that's exactly what we did.' Indeed, a week after dispatching of the undefeated Winnipeg Blue Bombers on the home turf of McMahon Stadium, the Stamps travelled to Regina to play the 4-0 Roughriders as the heavy underdog again. When they arrived Friday, however, they were met not only by long odds but a smoke delay that created a health hazard and persisted throughout the evening, postponing the game overnight. But that didn't distract the Red and White from going out and continuing to prove they have quickly meshed into a strong CFL side — solid enough to get the mighty road win and climb into first place in not only the West Division but the entire league. 'We're happy,' added Alford. 'But we know we're still early in the season and we've still got more to do.' MORE TO COME …
National Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Calgary Stampeders weather delay, knock off top-spot Saskatchewan Roughriders
How's this for a shocker? The top-spot Calgary Stampeders. Article content It wasn't what many fans — if any — expected to see from a team in transition coming into the 2025 Canadian Football League campaign. Article content Article content Yet after Saturday's smoke-delayed — and dominate — victory over the host Saskatchewan Roughriders, there are the Stampeders on top of the CFL standings with a surprising 4-1 record. Article content Article content It's the second straight week the Stamps have knocked off an unbeaten team on the schedule — this one in 24-10 fashion at Regina's Mosaic Stadium. Article content 'We came up with the win,' an excited Stampeders rookie receiver Damien Alford, one of the stars of the triumph in Saskatchewan, told QR Calgary post-game. Article content 'We've put ourselves in the mindset that no matter who was in front of us, we just have to go out there and play our type of football — and that's exactly what we did.' Article content Indeed, a week after dispatching of the undefeated Winnipeg Blue Bombers on the home turf of McMahon Stadium, the Stamps travelled to Regina to play the 4-0 Roughriders as the heavy underdog again. Article content When they arrived Friday, however, they were met not only by long odds but a smoke delay that created a health hazard and persisted throughout the evening, postponing the game overnight. Article content But that didn't distract the Red and White from going out and continuing to prove they have quickly meshed into a strong CFL side — solid enough to get the mighty road win and climb into first place in not only the West Division but the entire league. Article content
Calgary Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Calgary Stampeders weather delay, knock off top-spot Saskatchewan Roughriders
How's this for a shocker? The top-spot Calgary Stampeders. Article content It wasn't what many fans — if any — expected to see from a team in transition coming into the 2025 Canadian Football League campaign. Article content Yet after Saturday's smoke-delayed — and dominate — victory over the host Saskatchewan Roughriders, there are the Stampeders on top of the CFL standings with a surprising 4-1 record. Article content Article content It's the second straight week the Stamps have knocked off an unbeaten team on the schedule — this one in 24-10 fashion at Regina's Mosaic Stadium. Article content Article content 'We came up with the win,' an excited Stampeders rookie receiver Damien Alford, one of the stars of the triumph in Saskatchewan, told QR Calgary post-game. Article content 'We've put ourselves in the mindset that no matter who was in front of us, we just have to go out there and play our type of football — and that's exactly what we did.' Article content Indeed, a week after dispatching of the undefeated Winnipeg Blue Bombers on the home turf of McMahon Stadium, the Stamps travelled to Regina to play the 4-0 Roughriders as the heavy underdog again. Article content When they arrived Friday, however, they were met not only by long odds but a smoke delay that created a health hazard and persisted throughout the evening, postponing the game overnight. Article content But that didn't distract the Red and White from going out and continuing to prove they have quickly meshed into a strong CFL side — solid enough to get the mighty road win and climb into first place in not only the West Division but the entire league. Article content
Calgary Herald
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Meet the Calgary Stampeders draftees — a breakdown of the picks in the 2025 CFL Draft
Article content The Calgary Stampeders came away from the 2025 CFL Draft feeling like they got their men. Article content Article content Especially with their first two picks — at No. 1 overall and a handful of slots later at No. 8 during Tuesday night's pick-em. Article content That's receiver Damien Alford — 'the first pick was pretty easy,' cheered Stampeders director of Canadian scouting Dwayne Cameron — and offensive lineman Christopher Fortin, who 'has a lot of versatility,' continued Cameron. Article content Article content 'We're very happy and can't wait to get started here (with training camp) in a week.' Article content Article content WR Damien Alford, 24 (1st round, 1st overall), 6-foot-6, 224 lb., NCAA's Utah Utes/Syracuse Orange Article content The skinny: In 42 games, including 28 starts at Syracuse, the Montreal native had 67 catches for 1,291 yards – an average of 19.3 yards per catch – and seven touchdowns. Alford's most productive season with the Orange came in 2023 when he had 33 receptions for 610 yards and three scores. He played four games with Utah in 2024 and did not record any stats. Article content Cameron: 'Ran a sub-4.5-second (time) in the 40 (yard dash). That kind of speed would be great for a regular-sized receiver. But at 6-foot-5, 225 (pounds), it's elite. Those are NFL first-round-type athletic traits.' Article content Article content The skinny: The product of Saint-René, Que., played 41 games over four seasons with UConn, seeing action at centre, tackle and guard. Fortin was a starter at guard for the Huskies during the 2024 season. Article content Cameron: 'Played alongside two other offensive linemen (at UConn) who are now going into the NFL in the 2025 season. So it's an excellent group — they've been coached well. The kid lives in the weight room and has played a lot of high-level football for them. He's played tackle, he's played guard, and he's played centre a number of games.' Article content
National Post
30-04-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Meet the Calgary Stampeders draftees — a breakdown of the picks in the 2025 CFL Draft
Article content The Calgary Stampeders came away from the 2025 CFL Draft feeling like they got their men. Article content Article content Especially with their first two picks — at No. 1 overall and a handful of slots later at No. 8 during Tuesday night's pick-em. Article content That's receiver Damien Alford — 'the first pick was pretty easy,' cheered Stampeders director of Canadian scouting Dwayne Cameron — and offensive lineman Christopher Fortin, who 'has a lot of versatility,' continued Cameron. Article content 'We're very happy and can't wait to get started here (with training camp) in a week.' Article content Here's the breakdown of the 10 CFL Draft picks made by the Stampeders … Article content WR Damien Alford, 24 (1st round, 1st overall), 6-foot-6, 224 lb., NCAA's Utah Utes/Syracuse Orange Article content The skinny: In 42 games, including 28 starts at Syracuse, the Montreal native had 67 catches for 1,291 yards – an average of 19.3 yards per catch – and seven touchdowns. Alford's most productive season with the Orange came in 2023 when he had 33 receptions for 610 yards and three scores. He played four games with Utah in 2024 and did not record any stats. Article content Cameron: 'Ran a sub-4.5-second (time) in the 40 (yard dash). That kind of speed would be great for a regular-sized receiver. But at 6-foot-5, 225 (pounds), it's elite. Those are NFL first-round-type athletic traits.' Article content Article content The skinny: The product of Saint-René, Que., played 41 games over four seasons with UConn, seeing action at centre, tackle and guard. Fortin was a starter at guard for the Huskies during the 2024 season. Article content Cameron: 'Played alongside two other offensive linemen (at UConn) who are now going into the NFL in the 2025 season. So it's an excellent group — they've been coached well. The kid lives in the weight room and has played a lot of high-level football for them. He's played tackle, he's played guard, and he's played centre a number of games.' Article content Article content The skinny: A converted quarterback, the Hamilton native saw action at tight end with North Dakota and also was under centre in short-yardage situations. Vaughn had 11 catches for 111 yards and one touchdown in 2024 and was a perfect 11-for-11 on keepers on short yardage. In 54 career games for the Fighting Hawks, he had 17 rushing touchdowns as well as 21 catches for 197 yards and four scores. Vaughn had four passing touchdowns in his first two seasons with North Dakota before the position switch.
