Surging Calgary Stampeders brace for tough rematch challenge from Blue Bombers in Winnipeg
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a load at home on any given football day.
Article content
Their ridiculously successful record on their own field the last four-plus Canadian Football League campaigns is proof of that.
Article content
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.
Article content
Article content
'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).
Article content
Article content
'It's a super big challenge.'
Article content
How big?
Article content
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.
Article content
'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.
Article content
'If we do those type of things, we kind of let the result take care of itself.'
Article content
Article content
That was the case when the Stamps surprised the Bombers two weeks back in the Stampede Bowl.
Article content
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.
Article content
'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.
Article content
'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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
3 hours ago
- National Post
Looking at the Calgary Stampeders' special start to the season
Those pundits who foreshadowed doom and gloom over the first third of the 2025 Calgary Stampeders schedule are likely scratching their tall foreheads these days … Article content With good reason. Article content It wasn't supposed to play out this well for the Stampeders after two lousy ones amounting to just 11 wins in 36 games. Even the most optimistic fan of the Red and White couldn't have predicted such a sensational start to the year. Article content Especially given what the early-season calendar looked like for a team in massive transition. Article content Thinking back on what has been a 5-1 start to the Canadian Football League campaign under the circumstances, it truly has been phenomenal. Article content But don't tell that to the Stampeders, who remain tunnel-visioned in a commitment to steer clear from over-confidence. Article content 'No reason for us (to get over-confident),' said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. 'You'll get humbled quickly. The key is just don't read too much into when it's bad or when it's good. Article content 'You just try to understand why you're winning, what's helping you succeed and just try to put the foot on the gas just a little bit more each and every week. Article content 'I think our guys can do that.' Article content They'll run with that gameplan again this Thursday, when the 4-2 Montreal Alouettes — the Stamps' fourth straight foe with a winning record — visit McMahon Stadium (7 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge), knowing full well they can't rest on their laurels. Article content Article content 'We don't look too far forward, and unfortunately, you really only look back when you're done,' added Dickenson. 'I just think we've got to get better. I think our energy has been good — we've shown up to play every week. We have continually gotten better. Article content 'So that's something that as a team we've got to continue to do.' Article content Article content Let's look back at that, recognizing the adversity they've overcome. Article content • The Week 1 game brought the return of Stampeders legend Bo Levi Mitchell looking to avenge last year's first loss in another uniform at McMahon, with the Red and White themselves fresh off a significant overhaul of the roster in the off-season. Article content A surprisingly convincing win. Article content • The Week 2 affair took them away for their first road contest of the season — another tough first for a still-finding-itself crew — against the defending Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts.
Calgary Herald
3 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Looking at the Calgary Stampeders special start to the season
Article content Those pundits who foreshadowed doom and gloom over the first third of the 2025 Calgary Stampeders schedule are likely scratching their tall foreheads these days … Article content With good reason. Article content It wasn't supposed to play out this well for the Stampeders after two lousy ones amounting to just 11 wins in 36 games. Even the most optimistic fan of the Red and White couldn't have predicted such a sensational start to the year. Article content Article content Especially given what the early-season calendar looked like for a team in massive transition. Article content Article content Thinking back on what has been a 5-1 start to the Canadian Football League campaign under the circumstances, it truly has been phenomenal. Article content But don't tell that to the Stampeders, who remain tunnel-visioned in a commitment to steer clear from over-confidence. Article content 'No reason for us (to get over-confident),' said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. 'You'll get humbled quickly. The key is just don't read too much into when it's bad or when it's good. Article content 'You just try to understand why you're winning, what's helping you succeed and just try to put the foot on the gas just a little bit more each and every week. Article content 'I think our guys can do that.' Article content They'll run with that gameplan again this Thursday, when the 4-2 Montreal Alouettes — the Stamps' fourth straight foe with a winning record — visit McMahon Stadium (7 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge), knowing full well they can't rest on their laurels. Article content Article content 'We don't look too far forward, and unfortunately, you really only look back when you're done,' added Dickenson. 'I just think we've got to get better. I think our energy has been good — we've shown up to play every week. We have continually gotten better. Article content 'So that's something that as a team we've got to continue to do.' Article content Article content Let's look back at that, recognizing the adversity they've overcome. Article content • The Week 1 game brought the return of Stampeders legend Bo Levi Mitchell looking to avenge last year's first loss in another uniform at McMahon, with the Red and White themselves fresh off a significant overhaul of the roster in the off-season. Article content A surprisingly convincing win. Article content • The Week 2 affair took them away for their first road contest of the season — another tough first for a still-finding-itself crew — against the defending Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts.
Edmonton Journal
8 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Hamilton to hold rally for NBA MVP and champion Gilgeous-Alexander
Canada's king of the court has won just about everything possible this year, but is about to receive another honour. Article content Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was born in Toronto but claims Hamilton as his home, will be recognized on Thursday Aug. 7 at 'Shai Rally Day' in Hamilton. Article content Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP after finishing second last season (Steve Nash was the only Canadian to previously win the award), and helped Oklahoma City win its first NBA title last month after a stirring playoff run. He was also named NBA Finals MVP and led the league in scoring in the regular season. Article content Later he'll make an appearance at the Canadian Football League game between the Tiger-Cats and B.C. Lions. Article content 'I'm absolutely thrilled to bring Shai Rally Day to Hamilton,' Horwath said in a release. 'This is our city's official celebration of NBA Champion, NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP, NBA Scoring Champion, ESPY Best Athlete — Men's Sports, and proud Hamiltonian, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.' Article content
