1979 was the last time unbeaten Stampeders faced the unbeaten Eskimos in their Battle of Alberta. Both teams were 2-0 at that time. Stampeders QB at that time was none other than
John Hufnagel and Ken Johnson. Edmonton QBs are Warren Moon and Tom Wilkinson. Stampeders lost that game 44-9.
Fast forward to 2014. Stampeders(3-0) and Eskimos(4-0) are the only two unbeaten teams in the CFL in this season. They will be playing on Thursday night 7pm at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
OFFENSE :
This is going to be a good test for QB Bo Levi Mitchell who is trying to tie former Stamps QB Jeff Garcia's most consecutive wins at the start of a career by a starting QB with 7 wins. Offensive Linemen will also have a good test against much improved Eskimos defense led by CFL Defensive Player of the Week Odell Willis, DT Marcus Howard, Almondo Sewell and Willie Jefferson. Our OLine whose been playing very well the first 3 games should step up even more.
Stamps will still be missing RB Jon Cornish in this game so the task of running the ball stays with RB Matt Walter (56 rushing yards and 2 for 15 receiving yards last game) and Jock Sanders.
Receiver Brad Sinopli scored the only TD last game vs the Ticats when BLM gave him the ball and I am sure every single person at the stadium and people watching the game on TV thought he was going to throw the ball. He ended up rushing the ball for 26 yards to score his first TD in his career.
Last game, our offense was not that good but I am sure they will have a better game on Thursday night.
DEFENSE :
Stamps defense pretty much won the game last week. They didn't give Massoli and Lefevour lots of chances to connect with their receivers. Stamps D also did not give up a single TD again. So far in this early season, Stamps D only gave up TD meaningless TD in their first 3 games. DT Micah Johnson(7 tackles and 1 sack), DT Corey Mace, DE Shawn Lemon(1 sack) and the Sackmaster Charleston Hughes(1 tackle, 1 special team tackle, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble) need to prevent QB Mike Reilly in gaining some yardages by running or throwing long ball. Last game against Winnipeg, Reilly escaped a lot of pressures from Winnipeg defense.
MLB Juwan Simpson(8 tackles) will be playing after getting hurt last game. LB Deron Mayo who missed the game last week due to injury will also be playing on Thursday. No word yet if LB Keon Raymond will be back in action. DB Josh Bell will be moving to the corner to replace the injured Buddy Jackson, while Adam Berger will take Josh Bell's spot in a safety position.
SPECIAL TEAM :
Our special team still hasn't reached their potential yet. Coverage and blocking seems to be doing well and returner Jock Sanders is ok and I am sure will start picking up the system soon. So far in the 3 games, he's been good but sometimes bad. Kicker Rene Paredes is struggling a bit. He already missed 2 field goals and 1 blocked FG this early season. I guess that tells us that he is human after all.
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I can't wait for this game.
GO STAMPS GO!!!!