The Calgary Stampeders went into Winnipeg and gave the four-time Western champs everything they had.
Unfortunately for the Red and White, they also gave the Bombers 20 points combined off of turnovers and a special teams gaffe, losing the game 41-37.
The four-point differential also awards the Bombers the season series, which could loom large towards the end of the year.
Here’s what I saw from my living room in Calgary.
Mixed bag from Maier
Jake Maier had one of the worst passing totals of his career last week, with just 106 yards against the Alouettes. This week, the Stamps’ QB had nearly that much by the end of the first quarter and would finish with 316 yards on 20-of-31 passing to go with a pair of touchdowns and interceptions.
What tipped the scales in favour of the home team was one of those interceptions would end up going the other way for a Winnipeg score. For his part, Maier didn’t shy away from taking the blame for the loss.
“This one is on me. I gave them six points before the half, and we lost by four points,” he said. “I need to be accountable for that and I feel like the game may have been different if that didn’t happen.”
When reminded that he engineered a touchdown drive immediately following that and contributed to the game being tied at the half, Maier shrugged off the praise.
“You can’t take those six off the board though.”
Maier’s other interception in the first half was returned into Stampeder territory. While the defence held firm, Sergio Castillo was able to split the uprights for the Bombers.
More mistakes
Jake Maier wasn’t the only one to turn the ball over. Peyton Logan also lost a fumble, which proved costly. The Bombers turned that into a 57-yard field goal to end the first quarter.
Near the end of the third stanza, a Cody Grace punt would be partially blocked and travel just seven yards before being picked up by Winnipeg at the Calgary 38-yard line. Add a no yards penalty and the Bombers would get the ball at the Calgary 33. Four plays later, the Stampeders watched as Chris Streveler fell across the goal line, making the score 30-23 at the time.
Two interceptions, one lost fumble, and a blocked punt all gave the Bombers great field position, which they capitalized on for 20 points.
That is not to suggest that they couldn’t have engineered scoring drives otherwise, but they didn’t have to get far downfield to collect the points they did get.
Mills rumbles
Dedrick Mills had a heck of a first half, racking up 108 yards on eight carries.
In the second half, he had seven more carries but totalled just 23 yards for a game total of 131, which doesn’t quite tell the story.
“We didn’t do much blocking the edge. I thought (Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson) just had his way with us,” Stampeders head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson said after the game. “In the second half, we just couldn’t run the ball on first down, and that was what got us in more trouble.”
Bully for Barnes
Clark Barnes continues to shine in this offence, garnering a team-high five catches and 80 yards for Calgary. The brighter side of that stat line is that it came on just five targets, meaning he caught every pass sent his way.
“Clark’s looking good,” Dickenson said after the game. “The ball finds him in some looks.”
Barnes, a third-round pick in 2022, now sits second on the team in total yardage with 224 and looked slippery in this game, shaking some defenders out of their shoes.
However, Dickenson praised the entire position group for knowing their roles.
“I think we have an unselfish group of receivers, but everyone wants the ball a little bit more,” he remarked. “I think (Maier) spread it around, and we found the guys that were open. Everyone got their opportunities.”
The Stampeders had an octopus-based approach to the passing game, with eight players getting catches.
Worst challenge ever?
I don’t often discuss other teams’ business here, as we have other writers who talk about the teams they cover, but I can’t let this one pass without commenting.
Mike O’Shea will be a Hall of Fame coach someday. I sincerely hope that on that day, he is reminded of the time he challenged a play, was correct, and lost two yards as a result.
On a first-and-10 play, the Bombers threw a screen pass that was ruled incomplete even though the player went several yards downfield. The Bombers successfully challenged the fact that the pass was caught, and after review, it was picked up before hitting the ground.
However, due to the whistle being blown to end the play, it was ruled down at the spot of the catch, resulting in a second and 12.
The Bombers would convert the second down, so no harm, no foul. Still, I’m sure the coaching fraternity will enjoy poking Mike a little over the challenge to lose two yards.
Moving in the right direction
The Stampeders weren’t upbeat by any means after this loss but they are enthused by their level of play this season, suggesting they are ahead of where they were last season.
They fall to 2-3 on the year, but it could have been worse when you consider their schedule.
Winnipeg twice, B.C., Hamilton, and Montreal have populated the first five games and next week doesn’t get easier as they face the Lions again.
That was also the refrain last season, though, as they went on to lose seven one-score games. They now have two such losses this season.
They have lost a fourth-quarter lead in back-to-back losses and allowed overtime in a win against the Bombers three weeks ago. If they can’t figure out a way to close out teams, it may be another long season in Cowtown.
