Divisional clash of Lions, Stampeders features quarterback intrigue
Which quarterback will grab the spotlight is a prominent subplot of Saturday's divisional clash between the B.C. Lions and host Calgary Stampeders.
The season's first meeting of B.C. (6-1) and Calgary (5-2) tussling for second place in the West Division is a fascinating pairing of a decorated Stampeders quarterback closing in on a milestone and a young Canadian Lions quarterback taking the league by storm this season.
The division-leading Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-1) dropped their first game of the season Thursday in a loss to Montreal, but it's still a race for runner-up behind them at this point in the season between the Lions, Stampeders and more distant Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-4).
So there's meat on the bone in the first of three clashes this season between Calgary and B.C. — they finish with a home-and-home in September — with the temperature at kickoff Saturday projected to be 31 degrees C.
"We know where everyone is in the standings," said Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson, who returns to his team's sideline after sitting out last week's win in Ottawa in COVID-19 protocol.
"You've got to beat the teams ahead of you. The other thing is you've got to win at home."
Said Lions head coach Rick Campbell: "It's a big game. We also have 11 more games to go and we play these guys three times. I want to make sure we're sustainable in our approach.
"Yes, we absolutely want to win this game. If we win, it doesn't mean we're the champions and if we lose, it's doesn't mean our season (is) wrecked. That's just the coach in me making sure we keep our perspective and stay on task."
BO KNOWS QUARTERBACKING
Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell should set early in Saturday's game the franchise record for passing yards, only needing six to surpass Henry Burris (32,191).
"If it's a milestone that we reach and we don't win the game, I'm not going to be happy," Mitchell said.
The 32-year-old is coming off a 13-of-27 completion rate for 142 yards in last week's win 17-3 road win over the Redblacks.
The Stampeders relied on defence and Rene Paredes field goals for the victory as Mitchell and his receivers were not in sync.
They haven't connected for a touchdown pass in two straight games for the first time in Mitchell's 10-year career.
"We haven't been making the difficult catches, sometimes the routine catches," Dickenson said. "The coverage tells you where to go with the ball. You can't have favourites out there. Have faith that we're going to make plays.'
NATHAN'S FAMOUS FLING FEST AGAINST ELKS
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke passes during the first half of CFL football game against the Edmonton Elks in Vancouver, on Saturday, August 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Lions counterpart Nathan Rourke, by contrast, is coming off a monster game of 477 yards, five touchdown passes, a rushing TD and a 91.9 per cent completion rate in a 46-14 thrashing of Edmonton.
The 24-year-old from Victoria tops the CFL in touchdown throws with 21, and is on pace to break Doug Flutie's single season record (48).
"Calgary's a good team and it's always tough to win on the road in what I'm sure is a tough environment as well," Rourke said. "When you play against teams like this, sometimes it's a good measuring stick to where you are as a team.
"No doubt, Calgary will be one of the better teams in the West this year, so it'll be good for us and hopefully we can come out with a win."
Mitchell says people shouldn't doubt Rourke's ability to have long-term success just because Rourke is a Canadian quarterback and Americans have long dominated that position in the CFL.
"When people have amazing things happening, stop trying to find a reason to hate on it," the Texan said. "That kid's gone out and balled out in every single game he's been in."
Rourke smiled at that praise.
"He's a nice guy," the Lions quarterback said. "I remember I talked to him a couple of times last year, and tremendous respect for someone who's able to have as much success for a number of seasons.
"Would love to achieve some of the things that he's achieved in his career. Don't think he's tailing off any time soon, unfortunately, for us."
Both teams are without their top rushers Saturday. Calgary's Ka'Deem Carey (hamstring) will sit out a second straight game, while B.C.'s James Butler (ankle, rib) is also out. Carey's sub Dedrick Mill ran for 100 yards against Ottawa.
Calgary will also be minus Jameer Thurman (knee), offensive lineman Julian Good-Jones (shoulder), safety Brandon Dozier (hamstring) and receiver Malik Henry (quad).
Defensive backs Quincy Mauger (groin) and Delvin Breaux (hand, illness) and Canadian defensive lineman Joshua Archibald (head) are also out of B.C.'s lineup Saturday.
B.C. LIONS (6-1) at CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Saturday, McMahon Stadium
WALL WATCH: Stampeder rookie defensive back Titus Wall was a difference-maker in the win over Ottawa with two interceptions. He ran one back for Calgary's lone touchdown of the game.
SACK STINGY: B.C. and Calgary rank first and second in fewest sacks allowed at seven and eight, respectively. The Lions' average of one per game is the lowest in club history while the Stampeders' 1.14 per game pace is the team's best since 2016.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Lions defensive ends Mathieu Betts and Sione Teuhema will have something to say about Calgary's ability to protect Mitchell. They're tied for third in the CFL with five sacks apiece.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Nine suspects arrested in $24M gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport: Peel police
Nine people have been arrested in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year, Peel Regional Police said Wednesday.
Some of the winners and losers in the 2024 federal budget
With a variety of fiscal and policy measures announced in the federal budget, winners include small businesses and fintech companies while losers include the tobacco industry and Canadian pension funds.
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
O.J. Simpson was chilling with a beer on a couch before Easter, lawyer says. 2 weeks later he was dead
O.J. Simpson's last robust discussion with his longtime lawyer was just before Easter, at the country club home Simpson leased southwest of the Las Vegas Strip. About a week later, on April 5, a doctor said Simpson was 'transitioning.'
Father of boy accused of stabbing 2 Australian clerics saw no signs of extremism, Muslim leader says
The father of a boy accused of stabbing two Christian clerics in Australia saw no signs of his son’s extremism, a Muslim community leader said on Wednesday as police began arresting suspected rioters who besieged a Sydney church demanding revenge.
500 Newfoundlanders wound up on the same cruise and it turned into a rocking kitchen party
A Celebrity Apex cruise to the Caribbean this month turned into a rocking Newfoundland kitchen party when hundreds of people from Canada's easternmost province happened to be booked on the same ship.
Liberals must now sell a budget they say will help younger Canadians catch up
It's now up to the federal Liberal government to sell a spending plan it says will help younger Canadians catch up to their elders.
Ontario woman out $30K after investing in mortgage company accused of being unlicensed
An Ontario nurse is fighting to recover tens of thousands of dollars in savings she invested in a mortgage company that has since been accused of operating without a licence.
Canada is expected to win 22 medals at the Paris Olympics
Canada is expected to win a total of 22 medals, including six gold, at the Paris Summer Olympics, which open on July 26.