The 100th Grey Cup

The CFL, 100 years strong and counting this weekend, a Canadian institution that has survived Wars, a Depression and one or two terrible owners over the years.

A collective that has seen franchises lost, franchises gained and franchises eventually returned from where they never should have left.

It has on occasion struggled and then again it has thrived as well, the 100 year old tradition that survives on, despite it seems at times the people that run it.

It has invaded the US and returned a little shell shocked from the incursion and on Sunday, it will bring a country together once again, as only the Grey Cup can.

Yes, somewhere in that audience it's true, a few might not know an Argonaut from a Stampeder, but as it always does, the Grey Cup will provide an audience which will boost television ratings and spike the sales of beer and snack foods (and  provide cause for more than a few home parties) from coast to coast to coast.

The Stampeders earned their way into Lord Earl Grey's party through a path of Saskatchewan and British Columbia, a near death experience in the semi finals, spurring the Stamps on to their handy dismissal of the Lions last week in the Western Final.

The second best team in the CFL of 2012, ascending to the top of the pile through hard work, knocking off the champs as true contenders must do.

The Argos, who came quite close in October to sliding right out of the playoffs, ramped it up when it was required most, knocking out the Eskimos in the semi final, the final punctuation point in the off season trade that brought their new leader to Toronto.

From that statement game they marched into Montreal, faced down the huge crowd of Olympic Stadium and after a horrendous start, found the will to work their way back into contention in the Eastern Final.

Their confidence growing with every pass from Ricky Ray, every call from the defensive coordinators that stymied Montreal at their own game.

The league's wildest dream of the Argos arriving at their own Grey Cup party secured after sixty minutes of football.

The Argos once again find a chance to become a more meaningful sports entity in their hometown, far too often relegated to after thought status, on this weekend the Argos will be the story in Toronto.

It may not translate into a huge jump in season tickets, that of course will take work and in Toronto that's as tough a job as there is, still they've made some serious progress in this final month of the season.

The storybook finish of course would be the Argos on the podium hoisting the Grey Cup, a city celebrating their newest heroes, a championship trophy for a city starved of such baubles.

Calgary we imagine will gladly will don the black hat for that , looking to bring Toronto back down to earth, anxious to remind the east that the best team in the league, should normally win the Grey Cup.

The Stamps were team 1B for most of the regular season, they grabbed the top seed with their victory over the Lions last week.

Yet, Grey Cup Sunday is also about surprises, where the improbable becomes the story.

It makes for a fascinating storyline for Grey Cup 100, the parties are almost finished, the concerts, the festivities and yes even the gallop of a wayward horse in a hotel lobby.

All that is left is for kickoff, tee it up and let's get number 100 underway!

For the record, we'll give the nod to the Stamps to play party poopers at the Rogers Centre and lay claim to the 100th Grey Cup.

Playoff record 

3 correct, 1 wrong

A sliver of good news for Argo fans, the Regular season record 37 correct, 39 wrong

Game Time  6 PM ET, 4 PM MT, 3 ET Rogers Centre TSN


Pre Game

CFL.ca-- Game Preview
CFL.ca-- Video Preview

National Post-- Argos' Ricky Ray, Stampeders' Kevin Glenn make for interesting Grey Cup matchup
Globe and Mail-- The Grey Cup is a game that binds Canadians
Toronto Star-- Fourth Earl Grey left his mark in Canada, and his trophies
Toronto Sun-- Argonauts have home base covered
Calgary Herald-- Stamps' Voice of Experience', Anwar Stewart, calms nerves on Grey Cup eve
Calgary Sun-- Stamps feel the love on final day of practice
Canada.com-- Argos' defence not surprised by surging Stamps

Team Backgrounders

Toronto Argonauts
Calgary Stampeders

The Semi Finals: Saskatchewan at Calgary (November 11)

A travel advisory if you will for the Trans Canada Highway through Eastern Alberta this weekend, the roads westbound out of Saskatchewan will most likely be a little congested.

For the Riders are coming to town and with them the league's most faithful of travelling groups no doubt will be along for the ride.

McMahon Stadium will be a lively place this Sunday, a place where perhaps we might be excused if we're a little confused as to which is the home team, such is the volume of the Rider faithful, especially when a playoff game is but a few hours down the road.

In a province where they travel for hours from north to south, east to west to head for Regina for the regular season, a side trip to Calgary is but an earlier wake up call. A game between Stamps and Riders always an event and one which sometimes moves people to do or say particularly stupid things..

Dumb ass radio hosts aside, the actual game itself should be a fascinating study of two teams with desires for an extension of the CFL season for a few more weeks.

The Riders arrive in Calgary looking to put an inconsistent regular season behind them, focused on toppling the Stamps who for most of 2012 were among the top earners of the CFL season.

Calgary will tap Ralph Tate on the shoulder for the opening snap, the Stamps starter who was injured early on in the season has recovered nicely and with a bit of his rust knocked off over the last few weeks, John Hufnagel apparently believes that Tate is the hand to go with on Sunday.

Should he stumble however, Kevin Glenn, who guided the Stamps through the 2012 season will be ready to pick up the load, making Hufnagels' decision not so much as picking from 1 or 2 but from 1A and 1B.

Another factor in the Stamps attack will be Jon Cornish, who has had a remarkable regular season, accumulating yardage, accolades and records along the way.

The Riders mission is clear, shut down the Stampeder offence, which can pile on the points in record fashion, a lightning fast attack that can leave a game all but over by half time.

Withstand the first thirty minutes and the Riders may very well be able to make some travel plans for Vancouver (and maybe bring all their players on the plane this time). Should the Stamps get some traction on Sunday however, they may be very, very hard to stop.

And with some unfinished business in Vancouver, the Stamps no doubt would relish the chance to ruin the Lions thoughts of back to back Grey Cup appearances.

The dance partners for that Western Final will be known by Sunday evening, our previews and reviews can be found below.

Game Time 2 PM MT, 4 ET, 1 PT McMahon Stadium TSN

Saskatchewan 30 at Calgary 36 (30,027)
Calgary advances to the Western Final in Vancouver on November 18th.

Pre Game

CFL.ca-- Game Preview
CFL.ca-- Video Previews

National Post-- Stampeders go with Drew Tate in CFL West semi-final
Regina Leader Post-- Durant gives Riders an edge
Calgary Herald-- Raymond-Dressler battle will be one of the West semifnal's best subplots
Calgary Sun-- Cold hard facts suggest Stamps do better in tough conditions
Canada.com-- Roughriders have eyes on a different prize

Team Backgrounders

Saskatchewan Roughriders
Calgary Stampeders


Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Review
CFL.ca-- Video Review

National Post-- Stampeders take West semi-final from Roughriders in final minute
Regina Leader Post-- Monday morning musings
Calgary Herald-- Stamps stun Riders 36-30 in CFL nailbiter
Calgary Sun-- Calgary Stampeders score West semi win over Saskatchewan Roughriders
Canada.com-- Stampeders stun Riders with last-minute TD

CFL Game Day: Calgary at Edmonton (November 2)

For the most part the pressure is off the Edmonton Eskimos as they prepare to welcome the Calgary Stampeders to Commonwealth Stadium for the final regular season game of the year, which also will double as the Eskimos final appearance at Commonwealth of the year.

The Esks will still have some football to play next weekend, it will however a road trip, with the prospect of two more treks on the road before they can call the year a wrap with a Grey Cup bid.

The path to November 25 however does offer up to directions tonight, a loss will guarantee that the Eskimos travel East to play the Argos next week in the Eastern Semi Final, the Esks with a loss tonight will lay claim to the CFL's crossover path to playoff football.

A win however, makes things a little more interesting for the final weekend of play,

Should the Eskimos win tonight, all eyes will turn to the TV on Saturday night when the Riders play the Lions.  Should BC defeat the Riders, then Saskatchewan catches the flight eastbound and the Esks will have to travel south to Calgary and a match up with their provincial rival the Stamps.

So, the question is if your Eric Tillman and Kavis Reed is, who would you rather play?

Considering the lack of momentum in the east this year, the path to a Grey Cup perhaps best runs through the Argos and then the Als.

The Stamps and Lions clearly are the stronger of clubs remaining in the playoff pool for 2012, leaving us with the possibility that a bad result this weekend could offer a more rewarding future through November.

Only in the CFL it seems can such strange combinations arrive on the final weekend of the year.

Other than the map reading and travel arrangements, Friday night offers up the chance to perhaps see history in the making as Jon Cornish chases down Norm Kwong's rushing record, with only 50 yards of hard slogging on the Commonwealth turf standing between Cornish and the record book.

Game Time 7 PM MT, 9 ET, 6 PT  Commonwealth Stadium TSN

Calgary 30 at Edmonton 27 (21,147)

CFL.ca--  Game Preview
CFL.ca-- Video Preview

National Post-- Eskimos must avoid slow start in season finale with Stampeders
Calgary Sun-- Calgary Stampeders starter Drew Tate look to turn around fortunes at Commonwealth Stadium
Calgary Herald-- Stamps' offence poised to finish atop CFL
Edmonton Journal-- Eskimos must win convincingly
Edmonton Sun-- CFL's Battle of Alberta always intense regardless of playoff implications
Canada.com-- Toronto win changes everything for Edmonton head coach

Team Backgrounders

Calgary Stampeders
Edmonton Eskimos

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Review
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights

National Post-- Stampeders beat Eskimos with field goal on final play of game
Calgary Sun-- Jon Cornish sets new benchmark as Stamps win with final play field goal
Calgary Herald-- Calgary Stampeders running back Jon Cornish breaks 56 year old CFL record
Edmonton Sun-- Calgary Stampeders down Edmonton Eskimos 30-27
Edmonton Journal-- Stampeders sweep season series

CFL Game Day: British Columbia at Calgary (Week Eighteen) October 26, 2012

It's not very often that a match up between the Lions and the Stamps is of absolutely no consequence, but that's the case tonight, as what normally would be the top game of the weekend instead will be nothing but a pads on practice for the two teams.

Sure, there's bragging rights and all of that, the Stamps perhaps a tad more motivated to avenge the loss a few weeks back in Vancouver, a loss that brought to an end their thoughts of a first place finish in the West this year.

But with the Lions holding court as the best of the league and the Stamps now focused on their Western Semi Final game in two weeks time, one wonders how much starters will see on what will be a frozen patch of turf at McMahon Stadium.

There are some interesting sidebars to the game tonight the running backs for both teams are among the best in the league, while the Lions GM of course has history with the Stamps, in recent years both have been the top teams of the division, solid franchises that have a blue print in place for others to follow.

Then there's the QB situation, Travis Lulay most likely will get further rest, Mike Reilly more than capable at directing the Leos offence while the starter recuperates.

Calgary on the other hand finds Drew Tate ready to report for duty after his lengthy convalescence over the season, however, Kevin Glenn has been the one responsible for keeping the Stamps playoff and Grey Cup ambitions alive, changing QB's at this time seems an unlikely strategy, though we imagine if he's ready, Tate will get some work tonight, if for no other reason than to shake off some of the rust.

There are any number of reasons to take in the game tonight, the competitive nature of the two teams, the quest of Jon Cornish to rewrite some record book entries and the thought that momentum into the playoffs is always key, so perhaps it may not be a no contact scrimmage after all.

It won't count for much in the playoff race, but messages late into the season are always important, keeping your team on track late in the season when the standings don't matter is always a challenge, it may be the biggest issue of the night for both Mike Benevides and John Hufnagel.

Game Time 7 PM MT, 6 PT, 9 ET McMahon Stadium TSN

British Columbia 21 at Calgary 41 (27,014)

Pre Game

CFL.ca-- Game Preview
CFL.ca-- Video Preview

National Post-- Lions, Stampeders meet with playoff decisions in mind
Vancouver Province--  Harris and Cornish: They're the best CFL running backs, period
Vancouver Sun-- Lions' Andrew Harris has a secret admirer
Calgary Herald-- Cornish closes in on 56 year old record
Calgary Sun-- Calgary Stampeders QB Drew Tate set for return

Team Backgrounders

British Columbia Lions
Calgary Stampeders

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Review
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights

National Post-- Strong first half leads Stampeders to romp of Lions
Vancouver Province-- B. C. Lions lose 41-21 to Calgary Stampeders in mean-nothing stinker
Vancouver Sun-- Stampeders stomp on Lions early en route to 41-21 victory in Calgary
Calgary Herald-- Stampeders ride explosive first quarter in 41-21 victory over B. C. Lions
Calgary Sun-- Stamps use quick start to bury Lions

CFL Game Day: Hamilton at Calgary (Week Seventeen) October 20, 2012

The door cracks open once again for the Hamilton Tiger Cats, as they prepared for their Saturday match up with the Stampeders, we imagine that the Cats were keeping an eye on the television, watching with interest as the cousins down the road in Toronto continued to stumble, plummeting down the standings and giving the Cats yet one more life for playoff football this season.

Hamilton who have struggled all season to seize these kind of moments, could edge themselves closer to second place in the East with a win at McMahon Stadium on Saturday afternoon. With the Argos now on a three game losing streak, the playoff ambitions of the Cats once again flicker to life.

Whether they can take advantage of the chance though still remains to be seen, if past history this season is any indication, Hamilton will squander the chance leaving the East to be a race of the also rans, a race Winnipeg suddenly finds itself thrown into after their victory over Toronto last night.

Tis a muddled mess the east is, three of the four teams would barely be alive in the Western playoff race, in fact, two of the four will no doubt lose out on a playoff spot owing to the record of the Eskimos or Riders, the latter still inclined to make a run for 2nd in the West.

Something today's host may have something to say about, Calgary which lost its last faint hope for a first place finish with last nights score out of BC, will now focus in on making sure that they host the Western Semi Final, with three games to go today's scoreboard could dictate how secure a goal that will be.

When they take to the field against the Cats, Calgary will already know how the Riders fared in the opening act of the two game drama for a Saturday, either way, a win is a must for Calgary if they wish to keep their momentum going towards the playoff run.

For the West its a battle for playoff hosting rights,

In the East, it's the race to the bottom,  with Hamilton just hoping to still have a shot for the playoffs by the time the season ends, they can make a giant step towards that today with a strong effort and two points at the expense of the Stamps.

It makes this wrap up to the weekend's game the  most intriguing of the bunch.

Game Time 5 MT, 7 ET, 4 PT McMahon Stadium TSN

Hamilton 32 at Calgary 34 (26,502)

Pre Game

CFL.ca-- Game Preview 
CFL.ca-- Video Preview

National Post-- Ticats' Henry Burris needs big game against former team Stampeders
Hamilton Spectator-- Ticats get yet another shot at redemption and the latest from Calgary
Toronto Sun-- Stampeders' Cornish gives chase
Calgary Herald-- Forgotten in the Burris hype: Kevin Glenn will also face his old team
Calgary Sun-- Henry Burris returns to Calgary

Team Backgrounders

Hamilton Tiger Cats
Calgary Stampeders

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Review
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights

National Post-- Stampeders ruin Henry Burris's return to Calgary with win over Ticats
Hamilton Spectator-- Ticats left with barely a pulse after loss to Stamps
Toronto Sun-- Stamps living and dying by last second opposition field goals
Calgary Herald-- Stamps win after botched snap on game winning field goal
Calgary Sun-- Stamps lock up home playoff date with win

CFL Game Day: Calgary at Winnipeg (October 13)

Two teams very much heading in different directions take to the field at CanadInn Field on Saturday.

The Calgary Stampeders, who up until last weekend appeared poised to give the BC Lions a run for their money in the West, will look to rebound after their setback in Vancouver. While the Stamps may be preoccupied with thoughts as to how first place may have slipped from their grasp with that loss to the Lions, the Stamps will need to refocus quickly, as the Saskatchewan Roughriders are surging up the CFL West and now sit tied with the Stamps for second.

An attention grabbing situation that we're sure head coach John Hufnagel has reinforced with his squad for their trip to Winnipeg.

The Stamps take on the Blue Bombers  after the Blue and Gold come off a morale boosting victory over Montreal last week, a high water moment of the year for the Bombers, a team which has struggle all season and even had their will to compete questioned at some points.

To answer that concern, Joey Elliot led the Bombers to a shocker of a victory over the East leading Als, a victory that while perhaps a case of too little, too late, still provides the Bombers with enough momentum to make the most of the rest of their season.

The consensus seems to be that the Bombers won't make the playoffs this year, their losing skid of the summer and into the fall dictated that fate weeks ago, however, pride and the need to show that players still want to be Bombers will no doubt prove the incentive for the remainder of the Bombers schedule.

For Calgary, which less than a week ago had designs on First overall, the prospect of dropping to third is very much a possibility.  With Saskatchewan finding its game when it matters most, the race for second in the West may be one that goes down to the final week.

The Stamps can set about avoiding that fate with a string of wins over the last three weeks and then hope that the Riders stumble along the way.

The trip to Winnipeg will tell Hufnagel much about what may lay ahead moving towards November.

Game Time  Noon CT, 1 MT, 2 ET, 10 AM PT, CanadInn Stadium, TSN

Calgary 32 at Winnipeg 21 (26,842)

Pre Game

CFL.ca-- Game Preview
CFL.ca-- Video Preview

Globe and Mail-- Bomber QB Buck Pierce to miss another game with concussion
National Post-- Blue Bombers' Buck Pierce not fit to face Stampeders on Saturday
Calgary Sun-- Stampeders prepare for second meeting against Blue Bombers QB Joey Elliot
Calgary Herald-- Stamps reminisce ahead of final visit to aging Winnipeg stadium
Winnipeg Free Press-- Don't quit now: Blue deserve support for at least one more game
Winnipeg Sun-- Elliot will start for Bombers vs. Stampeders

Team Backgrounders

Calgary Stampeders
Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Review
CFL.ca-- Video Review

Globe and Mail-- Stampeders capitalize on turnovers to down Bombers
National Post-- Stampeders capitalize on Bombers' mistakes to move into second in West
Calgary Sun-- Stamps defence makes Bombers Blue
Calgary Herald-- Playoff bound Stamps gallop to road win over Bombers
Winnipeg Free Press-- Winners don't throw 4 picks
Winnipeg Sun-- Bombers lose to Stampeders, 33-21

CFL Game Day: Calgary at British Columbia (October 6)

While not on the main course of the Thanksgiving Day banquet from the CFL this Monday, Saturday nights match up between the Stamps and Lions is very much the marquee game of week fifteen.

The Stamps have been nipping at the Lions heels all season long as they seek to replace the West Coasters atop the CFL West Standings, last weeks victory for Calgary over Edmonton moved the Stamps to just two points off the league leading pace of the Lions, a gap they can close to even with a victory at BC Place.

The Lions coming off a loss to Saskatchewan last week, will most likely not be in a very hospitable mood as they try to correct some of their first half flaws of last week that set the Riders up for their eventual victory.

British Columbia for the majority of the season has been the dominant squad in the CFL, a strong offensive game combined with a punishing defensive unit has propelled the Lions to their 9 and 4 record, their defense having given up the leagues fewest points at 249.

Yet, a few stumbles along the way have kept the Stamps within striking distance all season long and as the Thanksgiving weekend moves towards the big feast day of Monday, Calgary will be looking to gobble up yardage of their own and keep Travis off balance for as much of Saturday as they can. Calgary no doubt set to draw on the memories of July, when the Lions handled them with ease, Saturday night will provide Calgary with the first opportunity to settle that account that the Stamps have had since.

The showdown at BC Place will make for a reliable measuring stick for the Lions coaching staff, looking to see if the Lions can return to a full focus over sixty minutes, or if those lapses like last weekend provided for might prove to be more troublesome than previously thought.

With the playoffs looming large in November now, the opportunity to stem some of Calgary's confidence will be large for the Leos, they will wish to take advantage of the situation Saturday, otherwise the last few weeks of the 2012 season may be a bit more of a roller coaster ride than previously thought.

Game Time 7 PM PT, 10 ET, 8 MT BC Place Stadium TSN

Calgary 22 at British Columbia 27 (31,347)

Pre Game

CFL.ca-- Game Preview
CFL.ca-- Video Preview

Globe and Mail-- Stampeders prep for first meeting with Lions since July pasting
National Post-- Lions have history on their side against Stampeders' Jon Cornish
Calgary Sun-- Injured Lions doesn't mean Stampeders should expect easy game
Calgary Herald-- Stamps shake off stench of last B. C. meeting
Vancouver Province-- Lions' injuries make for a cloudy forecast
Vancouver Sun-- Travis Lulay says Lions need to rise and shine earlier against Stampeders

Team Backgrounders

Calgary Stampeders
British Columbia Lions

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights

Globe and Mail-- B. C. Lions charging boldly ahead
National Post-- Stampeders miss huge opportunity in loss to Lions
Calgary Sun-- Stamps must continue the fight
Calgary Herald-- Stamps turn focus to hosting a playoff game after being denied in B. C.
Vancouver Province-- When noise matters
Vancouver Sun-- B. C. Lions take an iron grip on first place in CFL West

CFL Game Day: Edmonton at Calgary (September 28)

Another weekend Battle for Alberta, this time with the northern cousins making the trek south to take on the kin from Calgary, always an intense affair, frequently entertaining and as more often than not a game that has ramifications for playoff spots as we head towards October.

The Eskimos arrive in Calgary in the midst of a horrendous losing skid, punctuated by blow outs and near misses, none of the points up for grabs heading to their side of the standings.

And while they made some progress in the bounce back last week against the Lions, their offence is still seemingly a work in progress, nowhere near ready it would seem to launch an attack on a Grey cup berth.

Kavis Reed will once again try to turn around that which had such a promising start but has evolved into a serious skid since August, though a trip to the heated rivalry offered up by the Stamps is perhaps not the best launching pad for the comeback.

The probabilities of success are even less one imagines with the Esks using their third string quarterback as the starter of choice in the Alberta showdown.

Calgary, which had a set back of their own last week with a loss to Saskatchewan, had been keeping pace with the Lions for a shot at first place, a win Friday night is essential if they wish to remain within striking distance.

The game agains the Riders provided a helpful guide as to where the Stamps may still require some focus, Saskatchewan revealed a few flaws in the Stampeder game plan, things that the Stamps no doubt were working on through the week, anxious no doubt to fix what needs to be fixed before the playoff stretch gets underway.

Game Time 8 PM MT, 7 PT, 10 ET McMahon Stadium TSN

Edmonton 15 at Calgary 39  (29,290)

Pre Game

CFL Video Preview

Globe and Mail-- Matt Nichols to start at quarterback for Eskimos against Stampeders
Edmonton Sun-- Eskimos fate could rest in hands of EWU alum Matt Nichols, JC Sherritt
Edmonton Journal-- Stamps back up can't help cheering for old college teammate
Calgary Herald-- Arthur looking to be a go against Edmonton on Friday
Calgary Sun-- CFL Calgary Stampeders try for three peat vs. rival Edmonton Eskimos

Team Backgrounders

Edmonton Eskimos
Calgary Stampeders

CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights

Globe and Mail-- Cornish passes 1,000 yard rushing mark in Stampeders' win over Eskimos
National Post-- Eskimos suffer first winless September in franchise history
Edmonton Sun-- Calgary Stampeders Jon Cornish eclipses Edmonton Eskimos defence
Edmonton Journal-- Reeling Eskimos search for answers
Calgary Herald-- Cornish hits rushing milestone as Stamps topple Eskimos 39-15
Calgary Sun-- Cornish, Stamps rout Esks

CFL Game Day: Calgary at Saskatchewan (September 23)

The Stampeders will be playing to keep in the race for the CFL Western title, the Riders are playing for jobs.

That is the narrative, at least on the Saskatchewan side, that previews the Stamps and Riders at Mosaic Field on Sunday. Rider head coach Corey Chamblin, sending a shot across the bow of his squad that the lack of effort of some over the last month or so has been noted and change could be in the chilly fall winds of Saskatchewan.

The Riders have suffered a worrisome skid through August, with only a pair of victories over the struggling Blue Bombers as one of the few bright spots, an offense that went cold when the race in the West was a competitive war, the Rider having since fallen back of both the Stamps and Lions in the race for first.

Calgary on the other hand has grown stronger as the summer came to an end, a 4 game winning streak allaying the fears of Stampeder fans that the season was all but lost, the Stamps now nipping at the heels of the West leaders BC, Sunday they'll be looking to put a bit of distance between themselves and the Riders who at 5 and 6 on the year are now four points off of Calgary's second place pace.

The Riders should have Darian Durant back in the lineup, the Saskatchewan QB had been sidelined with injury for the last few weeks, leaving Drew Willy to gain his first start in the CFL last week, a 28-17 loss to Montreal a score that seems closer than the actual game provided for.

The Rider comeback was more a case of Montreal getting lazy and making mistakes than any kind of Rider gut check, still, for a rookie QB the valuable playing time could come in handy later on this year and on into the next.

The West is a two tier race at the moment, the Stamps and Lions looking very strong week in week out, the Riders and Eskies more of a hit and miss thing, one is never really sure which team is going to show up when kick off arrives.

The key thing for the Riders at the moment should be preserving third place and a playoff spot, a battle they seemingly will wage with the Eskimos through til November.

There is the chance of course for a crossover spot in the east, considering the struggles of Winnipeg and Hamilton of late, but a secure spot is clearly preferable than the seemingly lottery like odds of the crossover path.

The Riders can aid their own cause with a strong game Sunday in front of the usual packed house of the faithful.

Game Time 2 PM ST, 4 ET, 1 PT Mosaic Field TSN

Calgary 25 at Saskatchewan 30  (33,427)

Pre Game

CFL.ca-- Video Preview

Globe and Mail-- Stampeders star Cornish not bothered by Chamblin's brash guarantee
National Post-- Roughriders coach Corey Chamblin putting jobs on the line against Stampeders
Calgary Sun-- Stamps expect Roughriders' Durant to be 100%
Calgary Herald-- Glenn has a case to be Stamps' MVP
Regina Leader Post-- Durant, Riders ready to roll against Stampeders


Team Backgrounders

Calgary Stampeders
Saskatchewan Roughriders

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights

Globe and Mail-- Riders victory over Stamps tightens the race in CFL West
National Post-- Roughriders contain Jon Cornish en route to fulfilling victory
Calgary Herald-- Riders stymie Stamps, halt Horsemen's winning streak
Calgary Sun-- Missed call may have cost Calgary Stampeders against Saskatchewan...
Regina Leader-Post-- Defence comes through for Riders' head coach

CFL Game Day: Winnipeg at Calgary (September 14)

About the only good thing that Friday brings for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is that they are away from home, unable (unless foolish enough to seek it out) to hear the commentary of the folks back home.

Winnipeg's season long troubles continue on last weekend, another game which they effectively gave away to the opposition, allowing the Riders to make a late game comeback to snatch what should have been a Bomber victory and turn it into two points for the Green team.

It's a theme that has been ongoing for the bulk of the season, a Bomber team that can't seem to find itself on the same page, costing one coach his job and in two consecutive weeks leaving the second no doubt wondering what he's gotten himself into.

They head into Calgary to take on a squad that is very much back on track, their early season struggles fully behind them now. Led by an outstanding rushing game from Canadian running back Jon Cornish, the Stamps are piling up the points, having taken down their provincial rivals the Eskimos twice over the Labour Day bookend games.

The Stamps who are currently keeping within striking distance of the Lions in the West, will no doubt be wary of facing a very frustrated Bomber squad, but should the Stamps keep to the game plan of the last few weeks, and if history is any guide (the Bombers haven't won in Calgary since 2002) they should be adding up another two points in the standings by the time Friday night's game comes to an end.

Game Time 7 PM MT, 9 ET, 6 PT McMahon Stadium TSN

Winnipeg 3 at Calgary 44 (28,247)

Pre Game

CFL Video Preview

Globe and Mail-- Glenn goes from afterthought to starter with Stampeders
National Post-- Bombers look for redemption against the Stampeders
Calgary Sun-- Stamps pullin' for Nik Lewis
Calgary Herald-- Stamps wary of a trap game versus Winnipeg
Winnipeg Free Press-- Burke won't fret about job status
Winnipeg Sun-- Another Cowtown catastrophe for Bombers?

Team Backgrounders

Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Calgary Stampeders

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights

Globe and Mail-- Jon Cornish scores twice as Stampeders thump woeful Blue Bombers
National Post-- Jon Cornish, Stampeders keep streak alive in blowout of Blue Bombers
Calgary Sun-- Stampeders' Nik Lewis passes 10,000 yard milestone
Calgary Herald-- Stampeders romp over Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Free Press-- At this point in the season, changes don't come easy
Winnipeg Sun-- Another Blue Bomber embarrassment

CFL Game Day: Calgary at Edmonton (September 7)

The back end of the September doubleheaders takes place Friday night at Commonwealth Stadium, where the Edmonton Eskimos will seek to improve on some of their errors from this past Monday, errors that snatched defeat from the jaws of potential victory.

A few critical errors in the fourth quarter last Monday allowed Calgary to mount a comeback in the Labour Day Classic, a comeback which for the most part the Eskimos could have fully erased if not for their miscues.

It is no doubt to those points that head coach Kavis Reed will have addressed to his team in the short week run up to the Friday night game, eager to make corrections and pick up where the Esks left off in the third quarter.

For Calgary, after some struggles in August, the edge of the seat comeback on Labour Day could provide the momentum boost the team has been looking for, head coach John Hufnagel will be looking for more consistency as the Stamps take to the field Friday night, far too many times this season Stamps drives have come to a crashing end owing to a turnover or inability to convert a second down into a first.

Kerry Joseph has been tagged for his second consecutive start, coach Reed more than confident after last weeks stellar performance by Joseph to let  him take the reins for one more week as starter Steven Jyles recovers from injury.

Despite the loss to the cousins to the south on Monday, Edmontonians seem to be taking to their Eskimos, the crowd for Friday night is anticipated to be a large one, heavily weighted towards the home side we imagine.

The volume of the noise wholly dependant on how the Eskimos are faring against the Stamps.

Game Time 7 PM MT, 6 PT, 9 ET Commonwealth Stadium (TSN)

Calgary 20 at Edmonton 18 (39,363 )

Pre Game

CFL Video Preview

Globe and Mail-- Eskimos defence takes the blame for one-point Labour Day loss
National Post-- Steven Jyles, Kerry Jospeh give Eskimos plenty to think about
Calgary Sun-- Cornish 1, Sherritt 0
Calgary Herald-- Focusing on task at hand will be key in CFL rematch
Edmonton Journal-- Stampeders - Eskimos rematch has playoff implications ...
Edmonton Sun-- Kerry Joseph credits Eskimo head coach Kavis Reed for second chance


Team Backgrounders

Edmonton Eskimos
Calgary Stampeders

CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Review

Globe and Mail-- Cornish's late TD run gives Stampeders win over Eskimos
National Post-- Stampeders showing they have plenty of fight left
Calgary Sun-- Stamps win nail biter
Calgary Herald-- Stamps cap sweep of Eskimos in home-and-home series
Edmonton Sun-- Labour Day Repeat as Stampeders beat Eskimos 20-18
Edmonton Journal-- Eskimos run game a talented malfunction at the junction...

CFL Game Day: Edmonton at Calgary (September 3)

The final wrap to the Labour Day Classics comes from the West, the Stampeders providing the venue for the annual Alberta rivalry, the cousins from the north trekking down the highway in full bluster living off the success of a CFL season thus far that has been surprising and rewarding for the Green and Gold.

The same can not be said for the Stamps who have had some struggles in this 2012 campaign through the summer months, bringing their record to 4 and 4 heading into the Labour Day tilt.

When the season began, the conventional thinking was that the Stamps would be on the rise while the Esks rebuilt, half way through the CFL season, the Esks appear to be the team on the rise, a surprising situation for sure, but one no doubt welcomed to the north.

Injuries put an early dent into the Stampeder game plan, with Drew Tate gone for the year, the controls of the Stampeder offence were taken up by Kevin Glenn, who for the most part has done well in his duties, a few miscues along the way the margin of error for the Stamps between challenging for first in the West or trailing the leaders in BC and Edmonton.

The Eskimos will send Kerry Joseph into the starters role on Labour Day, Stephen Jyles has been told to rest his injured leg, though he will be available to the Eskimos should need cause to make a change at the quarterback position today.

It's a wise move for Kavis Reed, for the obvious that a healthy Jyles will be needed for the run toward the playoffs and with a game as highly amped as the Labour Day Classic it offers Joseph the chance to recapture some of his past success on the McMahon field from years gone by.

Reed also added some more bad news for the Stamps, with the announcement that Jerome Messam has returned to the Eskimos from his NFL adventure, yet another running threat for a team that is already overfilling with skilled players at a key position.

At any rate, there's no need to worry about the motivation factor for this one, if anyone on either roster can't get pumped up for this one and next weeks return engagement in Edmonton, then they probably won't have much of a shelf life in the CFL, it's quickly learned that the rivalry between North and South is one of the key elements of the CFL in Alberta, something we imagine is learned from Day one in training camp in June, played out over the space of six days in September.


Game Time 2:30 MT, 4:30 ET, 1:30 PT, McMahon Stadium, TSN

Edmonton 30 at Calgary 31 (32,102)

Pre Game

CFL Video Preview

Globe and Mail-- With QB Steven Jyles injured, Eskimos look to Kerry Joseph against Stamps
National Post-- Eskimos grant Kerry Joseph a Labour Day opportunity
Calgary Herald-- High stakes for Stampeder Corey Mace in Battle of Alberta
Calgary Sun-- The Main event: Glenn vs. Joseph
Edmonton Journal-- Labour Day has never been Stamps' finest hour
Edmonton Sun-- Eskimos' Jyles focuses on getting healthy

Team Backgrounders

Edmonton Eskimos
Calgary Stampeders

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Review
CFL.ca-- Video Review

Globe and Mail-- Stampeders beat Eskimos on late touchdown in CFL Battle of Alberta
National Post-- Stampeders prevail to beat Eskimos in nail-biter
Calgary Sun-- Stamps win classic Labour Day tilt
Calgary Herald-- Stamps prevail in back and forth Labour Day contest
Edmonton Sun-- Stampeders beat Eskimos 31-30
Edmonton Journal-- Eskimos' Joseph turns in big-time performance in losing cause

CFL Game Day: Toronto at Calgary (August 18)

One of the main topics of the day in Toronto these days has been the mysterious expulsion of Cory Boyd from the Argos camp, Boyd, who departed last week is now firmly in place in Edmonton and hasn't said much about how his departure came about, nor have the Argos volunteered much either.

But that perhaps is yesterdays news, the real story for Argo fans may be can Ricky Ray bounce back from what was his worst performance since arriving in Toronto in the off season.  Ray who had it seemed been settling into a groove over the first six weeks of the season, had a stinker of a game last week against the Lions, interceptions, fumbles and far too much time on his back under a pile of Lions marked his day for the Double Blue.

It will be to seek a bit of redemption that he and the Argos head off to Calgary for their week eight contest against the Stampeders.  In order for Ray to find some success against the Stamps, it will require some help from a front line that left him out to dry for much of last week.

Another key for the Argos is simple, make sure that the Stamps Larry Taylor doesn't get the football, the Calgary kick returner is proving to be a highlight reel machine, should they require any further evidence the Argos need look no further than to the last time they met the Stamps, the memories will flood back.

The Stamps who are keeping pace with the Esks in the West can gain some ground on Edmonton this weekend, the Esks having lost to the Als leave the path open to a first place share for the Stamps should they come out on top of the Argos.

Kevin Glenn will be looking to recreate the success he had last week against his old squad in Hamilton, Glenn clearly won the duel between himself and Henry Burris, leading the Stamps offence with efficiency, making the best of his offence in particular Jon Cornish and Nik Lewis. Cornish's week was such that he grabbed two Gibson's awards this week past, a chance to snare some more could be his with a similar performance at McMahon Stadium.

Game Time 5 PM MT (7 ET, 4 ET) McMahon Stadium TSN

Pre Game

CFL Video Preview

Globe and Mail-- Backup running back Kackert setps off sideline, into Argos' feature role
National Post-- Argonauts secondary developing cohesion
Toronto Sun-- All about winning for Argos coach
Toronto Star-- Argonauts coach Scott Milanovich will soon find out if Chad Kackert can...
Calgary Herald-- Stamps search for elusive back to back wins
Calgary Sun-- Stamps, Argos talkin' trash

Team Backgrounders

Toronto Argonauts
Calgary Stampeders

CFL Game Day: Calgary at Hamilton (August 8)

One of the CFL's hottest teams the Tiger Cats are host to the struggling Calgary Stampeders as week seven gets under way, both teams coming off their bye week mini vacations well rested and eager to get back to the pat towards the Grey Cup.

The break perhaps came at an inopportune time for the Cats who were clearly a team on the rise over the first six weeks, having shaken off their debut week troubles, Hamilton clearly has sorted out any of the lingering troubles they had in the early going of the season.

Henry Burris is in some of the finest form he's had in years, leading the Ti Cat offence with patience and skill, processing what is going on during the game and making the best of the opportunities that arrive game by game.

The visit by his old squad from Calgary, the  first match up between the two teams this year, offers up another chance to showcase how well he is doing in Hamilton this season and considering the Stamps struggles of late it could be a night of memories, many of them perhaps bad ones for Calgary as they take on the Cats.

Calgary's season got off to a rough start with the departure of starting quarterback Drew Tate for what seems like the rest of the season as he recovers from surgery, Kevin Glenn who arrived from Hamilton has been handed the ball for the majority of this season and has had his struggles in his time at the helm.

While his experience puts the Stamps in a better spot than Winnipeg lets say who lost their starter early this year as well, there have been games where Glenn has let the play get away from him. Though he's not really to be singled out for the Stamps troubles.

Overall there has been far too many times where the Stamps have handed the game away, either on offence or defence, add on the undercurrent of dis-harmony that seems to be percolating on the Stampeder sidelines these days and this is a very unhappy team that is apparently letting the pressure get to it.

They can expect no favours this weekend in Hamilton, where the Ti Cats can make life very difficult for a struggling squad.

Game Time 7 PM ET, 5 MT, 4 PT Ivor Wynne Stadium TSN

Calgary 31 at Hamilton 20 22,635

Pre Game

CFL Video Preview

Globe and Mail-- Quarterbacks Glenn, Burris to meet for first time since switching teams
National Post-- Ticats' defence braces for high-ocatane Stampeders
Hamilton Spectator-- Glenn back in the saddle again as Stampeders' No. 1 QB
Calgary Herald-- Huff has plenty on his mind as Stamps face Ticats
Calgary Sun-- No friends on Stampeder game day

Team Backgrounders

Calgary Stampeders
Hamilton Tiger Cats

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights

Globe and Mail-- Cornish runs wild as Stamps top Tiger Cats
National Post-- Stampeders' Cornish grinds Tiger-Cats down
Hamilton Spectator-- Former Ticats QB leads Stamps to 31-20 win
Toronto Sun-- Henry Burris, Kevin Glenn duel a bust
Calgary Herald-- Stamps grind out gritty 31-20 CFL win over Ticats
Calgary Sun-- Stamps pivot plays it safe

CFL Game Day: British Columbia at Calgary (July 28, 2012)

The first month of 2012 is starting to look a little bit familiar to the British Columbia Lions, a period of struggle where the wins aren't coming easily, in fact only once thus far since Canada Day.

If the pay off for these early struggles is the same as last year, then the Grey Cup champion Lions will probably take it, but still, winning a few games through the summer months is probably still high on coach Mike Benevides to do list.

Towards that goal the Lions head into Calgary tonight, taking on a beat up Calgary squad that has put its hopes into the hands of Kevin Glenn, who has taken over for the injured and now recuperating Drew Tate and will be in charge of the Stamps offence through the season now.

Glenn has been solid, though sporadic at times in his return to the marquee role for a CFL team, perhaps not unexpected for a back up now put in charge, though for the Stamps the confidence of having someone with Glenn's experience is probably a helpful thing as John Hufnagel tries to retool his team and move forward.

On the other side of that scrimmage line the Lions defence will be looking to have another solid effort, punishing the running game and causing havoc with any aerial plans the Stamps may have.

On offence the Lions will be looking to cut down on the turnovers, a challenge of the last few weeks that have done more to turn the tide of the game than anything else. The untimely mistakes have been taken advantage of the opposing squads with relish, the Stamps will be looking to add to the Lions misery as best they can.

The West has quickly become a division where the standings can change with every completion of the weekend, the Stamps and Lions but two points behind the Riders and Eskimos currently holding down the top spot in the division.

It could be a pattern that carries forward through until November,  though both teams probably are more inclined to take things one weekend at a time at the moment, so by the time game four on the weekend schedule comes to an end, one or the other is most likely hoping to have vaulted ahead of the other, with first perhaps still in their grasp.

Game Time 7 PM MT (9 ET, 6 PT) McMahon Stadium TSN


British Columbia 34 at Calgary 8 (27,968)

Pre Game

CFL Video Preview

Globe and Mail-- Lions-Stampeders game promises to go down to the wire
National Post-- Tad Kornegay adds new dimension to Stampeders
Calgary Sun-- Stampeders target talented QB Lulay
Calgary Herald-- Cornish gears up to grind out a greater ground game
Vancouver Province-- Patience key to Leos' success: Lulay
Vancouver Sun-- For Travis Lulay it's never over 'til it's over

Team Backgrounders

British Columbia Lions
Calgary Stampeders

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights


Globe and Mail-- Travis Lulay propels Lions to 34-8 romp of Stampeders
Calgary Sun-- Stampeders thrown to the Lions
Calgary Herald-- Stamps boss will work to find out what went wrong
Vancouver Province-- Lions dominate Stampeders, snap two-game skid
Vancouver Sun-- Lulay outstanding as Lions clobber Stampeders

CFL Game Day: Saskatchewan at Calgary (July 19, 2012)

The undefeated Saskatchewan Roughriders, perhaps still getting used to that title after last year's meltdown take their record across the line into Alberta tonight, looking to remain atop the pack of the CFL at the expense of the Calgary Stampeders.

The Riders, who have turned around last years misery rather nicely in the first three weeks will once again look to quarterback Darian Durant to keep the momentum moving, Durant has helped to banish those bad memories of 2011 with some impressive leadership on the field, leading drives, taking long runs across the prairie and most importantly putting points on the board when the opportunity arrives.

A combination that has provided for six points thus far in the standings and for the most part accounted for the Riders 83 total points on the scoreboard over those three games.

Combined with a defensive squad playing with renewed confidence and head coach Corey Chamblin is looking to be the toast of Saskatchewan if this keeps up through to November.

The only cloud on the horizon in Saskatchewan these days is the placement of Wide Receiver Rob Bagg on the injury list for nine games, which is sizable hole for a lengthy period of time, but one which coach Chamblin seems to be using as a teachable moment for his squad.

The Stamps on the other hand have struggled through the first three weeks, losing 2 of their three games and now looking to move forward through the year without starting quarterback Drew Tate. It was announced over the weekend that Tate, who was injured in the Montreal game will miss the majority of the season owing to the need for shoulder surgery,

And while they perhaps are a bit ahead of other teams in the backup department with Kevin Glenn, he is going to have to knuckle down and provide the kind of leadership that doesn't leave them on the wrong end of a scoreboard when they held the lead heading into the final moments.

Coach John Hufnagel must be a little concerned about where his QB situation is at in the short term after watching his team self destruct last week in Montreal, where the Als stormed back as Anthony Calvillo led the perfect last minute offence to not only control the clock, but put points on the board.

That was something that the Stamps couldn't seem to accomplish, nor on the defensive side were they able to prevent. Turnovers and miscues gave the Als the opportunity to reclaim what seemed lost, something that the Stamps must be aware of should they want to find progress in the 2012 season.

The Riders game tonight provides their toughest test yet in the early season, it showcases a determined and confident team coming into the home of one which is perhaps struggling to reinvent itself on the fly after but three weeks.  The kind of scenario that surely gives an edge to the visitors from the east, but should make for a most entertaining contest.

Game Time 7 PM MT 9 ET, 6 PT McMahon Stadium (TSN) 


Saskatchewan 38 at Calgary 41 (32,228)


Pre Game


CFL Video Preview


Globe and Mail-- Kevin Glenn ready to lead Stampeders against unbeaten Roughriders
National Post-- Explaining the Roughriders' dramatic turnaround
Calgary Sun-- Tidy up time for Stamps
Calgary Herald-- Stamps eager for  West Division litmus test
Regina Leader Post-- What's right with the Riders?

Team Backgrounders


Saskatchewan Roughriders
Calgary Stampeders

Post Game

CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights

Globe and Mail-- Stampeders erase 17 point deficit to beat Roughriders in OT
National Post-- Stampeders storm back to top Riders in wild west shootout
Calgary Sun-- Wow! Stamps rally for late win
Calgary Herald-- Never say die Stamps beat Riders 41-38 in OT
Regina Leader Post-- Anatomy of a collapse

Twelve Men Features: Calgary Stampeders

Links to those items we have worked on regarding the Calgary Stampeders

Gopher Ban in Cowtown

Gainer can't Go!

Is that the story from Calgary, the famed mascot of the Saskatchewan Roughriders cannot cross the provincial boundary this Sunday?

The Prairie Dog will have to sit by the television Sunday afternoon as the Riders take on the Stamps in the Western Semi-Final, a casualty of the Riders finishing third in the West and missing out on the home playoff date they've been looking for all these years.

While Gainer is left out, the Riders will still find a fair amount of support at McMahon stadium on Sunday, on any given game day the Rider faithful come out of the woodwork to support their team, sometimes splitting the stadium in half between red and green supporters.

With a playoff spot in hand and a chance to advance to the Final, the invasion will be on as the legions of Green Rider fans load up the cars and buses for the trek to Calgary. The ticket will be a hot one this weekend, with those looking to profit from their ducats thankful that the Riders are coming to town, brining with them their exciteable fans.

A crew that will make some noise on Sunday with or without their cheerleading gopher, Ralph the Dog had best watch out. Parts of his own dog house are going to be no go areas on Sunday!

Update Nov 1: Gainer the Gopher can pack his bags, the Stamps have relented and allowed him to travel to Calgary, for this weekends playoff game. But the Gopher is still under strict orders, he can't stand on a sideline, (we wonder if he can burrow underneath one though?). The game hasn't even started and already the Riders have the Stamps on the run!