Well-rested Winnipeg Blue Bombers to welcome Calgary Stampeders
After the Stampeders stomped them 37-16 two weeks ago in Calgary, the Bombers have had to stew over the lopsided defeat through their bye week. They will finally get the opportunity for vengeance Friday night.
'We've had a long time to think about our mistakes and what we want to do differently,' said Bombers defensive back Evan Holm. 'It was nice to get away from football, but we got to watch a lot of film and see what they wanted to do and have answers.'
Winnipeg rush end Willie Jefferson relished the idea of playing the Stampeders again so soon after being dominated last time out.
'After a loss, you always say, 'I want to play them again,' and we have the opportunity to play them the next game,' he said. 'They were at home, they had their crowd into it. They had a nice environment. Now, they get to come to Winnipeg, to Princess Auto Stadium in front of 30,000-plus and play us. We play really (well) in front of our fans, so we need to get that swing.'
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The Bombers have had two weeks to study film of both that loss and Calgary's victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders last weekend.
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'They're playing really great football right now,' said Winnipeg offensive lineman Pat Neufeld. 'They're playing really confident football. We're going to have our hands full, but we're always up for a challenge, especially at home.'
That challenge will be even tougher as the Bombers will be missing star receiver Dalton Schoen, who was placed on the six-game injury list, and perennial all-star offensive lineman Stanley Bryant. They will be replaced by speedy Kody Case at receiver and Micah Vanterpool on the O-line.
They will also be up against what is currently the best defence in the CFL.
'It's a great challenge for us,' said Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros. 'They've played exceptionally well the entire season. They've given up five touchdowns throughout the entire year. Their scheme is sound. They play it very well.'
Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea concurred.
'It seems like they're flying around,' he said. 'They're bringing a lot of energy, they're taking the ball away. Obviously, they took the ball away from us (two interceptions returned for touchdowns). When you see them put it all together as a 12-man unit, they seem to be getting after it pretty good.'
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Even Calgary head coach/GM Dave Dickenson seemed a little surprised that his defence has improved so quickly from last season.
'It's a completely different group,' he said. 'I actually thought it might take some time to gel. There was a little bit of the element of surprise because we knew what we were going to run and what kind of type of defence, and that certainly helped us.
'The turnovers are the biggest thing as far as helping our offence. I think we've had three pick-sixes and when you get the ball and score with it, that's pretty nice.'
Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams, Jr., is expecting a battle.
'Of course, they're hungry,' he said. 'They're coming off a bye, a sold-out crowd. This is their home stadium … Winnipeg's going to come out with their best shot. It's going to be loud. It's going to be fun.'
CALGARY STAMPEDERS (4-1) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (3-1) at Princess Auto Stadium, Friday, 7:30 p.m. CT
HOMETOWN ADVANTAGE
Winnipeg is 39-6 at home since 2019 … The Bombers are 17-0 coming off a bye week. (Regular season and playoffs)
ROAD WARRIORS
The Stampeders have won three straight road games, all by at least 10 points.
WELCOME BACK MILT
Bombers legend Milt Stegall will return to the TSN panel Friday night after taking time off following the sudden death of his son, Chase.
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'There are no words to even talk about what happened to him and his family and obviously, as Bombers, we put our hearts out to him,' Neufeld said. 'It takes a lot of courage to come back to work and get in front of a lot of people on TV and this crowd. Everyone here loves him, and we can't wait to see him.'
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