The much maligned Calgary Stampeders would like everyone to know they aren’t going to go away this year. Expected by many critics to crash and burn in the CFL West, the Stamps put together a pretty good performance in their season opener. Head coach and GM Matt Dunigan can sit back and enjoy his coaching debut, as the Stampeders took over Taylor field and shocked the Rider faithful with a 33-10 victory over the struggling Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Marcus Crandell got his game back in fine style as he led the Stamps with a touchdown pass and run for one of his own. The Stamps took control of the game over in the third quarter when they managed to accumulate 21 points. Shutting down the Riders in the process. Despite a gusting wind of 54 kilometers at times, Crandell managed some pretty good numbers on the day, completing 20 of 36 passes and amassing 286 yards. It was a rough start for the Stamps who couldn’t get their plays off in time during their first set of downs, eventually giving up a safety. However, before the critics could start writing about the decline of the Stamps, Crandell engineered a 70 yard drive which was capped by his three yard run for a TD. After that the Stamps settled into their tasks and outworked the Riders. Special teams and defence also made major contributions to the victory, the first for the Stamps in four games against the Riders.
For Saskatchewan the season of such promise three short weeks ago is quickly turning into a nightmare. For the second game in a row Rocky Butler could not move the team, Butler the third string Rider QB has been given the starting assignment with Nealon Greene’s injury, second string pivot Henry Burris is not ready just yet with his own health problems. For Saskatchewan the quarterback situation is quickly becoming the main worry, three weeks ago it was the one thing the Rider management felt would be the least of their problems. With Greene gone probably for the season, it will be Burris’ ball to run with, should he ever get back into the lineup. Butler has been given a rough baptism in the last two weeks, but for the Riders to reach their goal of a Grey Cup berth in November, Burris had best get back into the line up fast. A 0-2 start for the Riders was not expected part of the plan, Danny Barrett needs to get his team back on track fast. A few more stumbles like the start of the season has provided and the Riders may find it unnecessary to make hotel reservations for Ottawa in November.
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