The Stampeders look to end their losing streak against the struggling Bombers

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders won’t be taking the Winnipeg Blue Bombers lightly when the two teams play at McMahon Stadium on Saturday night.

The Blue Bombers have surprisingly started the season with three straight losses, but Calgary quarterback Jake Maier isn’t putting much stock in Winnipeg’s slow start.

“As players, we have a lot of respect for them, even where they are in the rankings right now and what their record is,” Maier said. “There is not one individual in this organization that would fall into that trap or buy anything.”

The Blue Bombers look to end their struggles with their seventh straight win against Calgary (1-1). The Stampeders’ last win against Winnipeg was in November 2021.

“They have good players on that team,” Stampeders linebacker Cameron Judge said. “They are well trained. They’ve had our number lately, so I’m not even paying attention to it (0-3 record).

“We definitely want to beat them no matter what. You just need to come with your pads ready to play a long, physical, hard 60 minute game. The rest will take care of him at that time.”

Maier will make his 30th consecutive start at quarterback for Calgary, which is the longest by any Stampeder since tight end Henry Burris’ 69-game streak in 2011. His 14-18 overall record includes five losses with Winnipeg, the only CFL club they have never beaten.

“It’s another opportunity to play really good football at home,” Maier said. “I think that’s the No. 1 priority right now is defending this place because we haven’t done a very good job of that the last two years either. We just want to play well at home and they’re just the team coming to town.”

Meanwhile, Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros compiled a 7-1 record against the Stamps during his time with the Bombers. With a career record of 73-43 (9-5 vs. Stamps), Collaros has never lost a back-to-back start against Maier.

“Calgary is a great organization, so I think executing your game plan, believing in our core values, all those things, it definitely helps,” Collaros said. “It’s always a battle and we fully expect that (Saturday). We’re going to have to execute at a high level, play physical, play our brand of football because we know they’re going to bring it. They’re at home, they’ve started the season well and are a very talented group in all three phases.”

Regardless of the records and past results of the two West Division rivals, Calgary coach Dave Dickenson said he believes he has his players ready for a tough battle against Winnipeg, which has appeared in four straight finals of the CFL championship, winning the Gray Cup in 2019 and 202

“I think they had a good run,” said the Bombers’ Dickenson. “They have a lot of good players. They are well coached, but the focus has to be on the Calgary Stampeders.

“Any team in our league can beat us if we don’t do what we’re supposed to do and play winning football. It’s really not so much about the opponent. We know we have to beat the teams in the west, though. This is true. Beat the western teams, you’ll make the playoffs, and I hope you’ll be successful. Obviously, Winnipeg has been doing this for years. That’s the formula. We have to do it.”

Winnipeg coach Mike O’Shea agreed that all previous statistics can be thrown aside before Saturday’s game.

“We have to play hard and win this game against this version of the Calgary Stampeders and they have to do the same to beat this version of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, so I don’t know that history has any relevance to that. game,” O’Shea said.

One player who had Saturday’s game marked on his calendar is defensive back Demerio Houston, who signed a two-year contract with the Stamps in February.

“It’s definitely a big game for me,” said Houston, who played the last three seasons for Winnipeg. “We will definitely get our best shot. It’s going to be a dogfight, as I told the team. In the past three years in this rivalry, scores have dipped below six points. So don’t look at the record, don’t look at who’s on the roster … just be prepared for a dogfight.”

Among Houston’s league-leading seven interceptions last season was one he ran back 45 yards for a touchdown in Calgary on Aug. 18 to help the Bombers to a 19-18 win over the Stamps.

“I could only help and do my part,” he said. “Now that I’m here with Calgary, that’s what I intend to do is help my team.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 28, 2024.

Laurence Heinen, Canadian Press