Calgary Stampeders look to win 2 straight for the first time this CFL season
The Calgary Stampeders want to build momentum and start climbing out of the CFL's West Division basement in Hamilton on Friday.
The Stampeders (2-4) are coming off a 32-16 win over the Edmonton Elks in the CFL's Battle of Alberta.
Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who returned to the lineup after missing three weeks with a broken leg, went 23-for-42 in passing for 276 yards and a touchdown throw to Kamar Jorden. Mitchell threw one interception.
Stringing together back-to-back wins for the first time this season would give the Stampeders confidence heading into a bye week.
"I'd like to play with a lead. That would be nice," head coach Dave Dickenson said.
"We're still in a situation where we have to keep climbing. We know where we're at. We know where this team is and we know we are getting better, but we also know there is a big challenge in front of us."
Calgary will be minus linebacker Cory Greenwood, who is out with a neck injury.
The Stampeder defence will line up against an inexperienced Tiger-Cats quarterback in Hamilton (2-3).
David Watford will start for the first time in his CFL career.
Dane Evans is on the six-game injured list with an abdominal-muscle injury sustained in the fourth quarter of a 17-16 loss to the Toronto Argonauts last week.
Watford took the majority of first-team reps during Wednesday's practice.
Jeremiah Masoli, who injured his ribs in Week 2, practised this week and returns as backup to Watford on Friday.
"After all the information that we got and talking with the therapy staff, seeing how Jeremiah was feeling, this is the way that we've decided to start," Hamilton head coach Orlondo Steinauer said.
"David will go out there for us. Jeremiah is definitely available to play and we'll go from there."
Watford has completed just six passes for 78 yards this season. Drawing in as starter is yet another change at a position plagued by injuries and sub-par performance in Hamilton.
Masoli opened the season as the No. 1 pivot, but he was replaced by Evans following the team's 19-6 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the opener.
Masoli, 33, threw four interceptions in limited action this season. He's 41-for-66 in passing for 371 yards and a touchdown.
Watford, 28, has thrown 50 passes for 320 yards in three CFL seasons. He scored six rushing touchdowns for the Tiger-Cats in short-yardage situations in 2019.
"We don't put anybody out there that we don't think we can win with," Steinauer said.
Hamilton receiver Brandon Banks will sit out a second straight game, the coach said. The CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2019 is out with a rib injury.
"We have a short turnaround this week. It's best for Brandon and for our football team right now," Steinauer said. "No long-term concerns with Brandon."
The Ticats are in Ottawa next Wednesday to face the host Redblacks.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.