It’s beginning to look a lot like … Calgary.
The Calgary Stampeders are next on the agenda for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who carry a 1-1 record into Saturday’s CFL collision at McMahon Stadium (5 p.m., TSN, CKRM).
Although it is technically a road game for the Roughriders, a visit to Calgary often has a home-field vibe.
“Our fans just travel so well,” Roughriders long snapper Jorgen Hus said. “We get them everywhere, obviously, from coast to coast.
“In Calgary, there’s all the red, and then when our green shows up, it’s like the Christmas Bowl every time we’re there, so it’s pretty awesome.”
It is also an excellent early-season barometer, considering that the Stampeders have enjoyed 14 consecutive winning seasons. Their regular-season record over that time: 175-70-3.
“It’s almost like you’re not playing a team over there. You’re playing a system and a culture,” Hus said.
“Winnipeg’s got that going right now, but Calgary has been like that for the longest time.”
For the longest time, Bo Levi Mitchell was the Stampeders’ starting quarterback.
However, Mitchell was supplanted by Jake Maier midway through last season. Mitchell joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats during the off-season.
Over two games this season, Maier has thrown for 497 yards — only 84 more than the Roughriders’ Trevor Harris put up last week against the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers — with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Although the Stampeders’ offensive output to date has been modest, Roughriders Head Coach Craig Dickenson expects to encounter a formidable foe on Saturday.
“They’re going to give you a lot of different looks,” he said. “They’re well-coached and they’ve got a lot of brain-power on that offence.
“I think Jake Maier is a good quarterback. They moved on from Bo for a reason — because they felt like (Maier) was the guy.
“You’re going to see a lot of underneath stuff. You’re going to see a lot of formational stuff. I think we’ve got to do a good job of identifying what they’re doing — communicating on the defensive side, and then playing fast and being physical.”
On the other side of the ball, the Calgary defence also presents a challenge, as evidenced by the fact that the Stampeders have allowed just 40 points over their first two games.
“They always do a good job of keeping you guessing on second-and-long,” Harris noted. “They’re going to bring you their flavour of stuff that they do on second-and-medium, second-and-long, and they do a great job of executing.”
Calgary struggled in its regular-season opener, losing 25-15 to the visiting B.C. Lions on June 8, before rebounding one week later with a 26-15 road win over the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
The Roughriders, for their part, posted a season-opening, 17-13 victory over the host Edmonton Elks on June 11 before losing 45-27 to Winnipeg five days henceforth at Mosaic Stadium.
“I see two teams both trying to get their footing,” Dickenson said.
“It’s hard to tell early in the season what a team’s going to be like, but I see a Calgary team that’s got good experience in key positions.
“I think they’re still trying to find the right mix and match of dudes. But it’s a good team — always well-coached and always well-prepared.
“It’ll be a tough challenge.”
ROSTER CHANGES
With injuries playing a major role, there are 10 alterations to the Roughriders’ roster compared to last week.
Cornerback Nic Marshall, who missed one game with a shoulder injury, is back. Marshall’s spot had been taken by Deontai Williams, who has retained a starting position in the secondary.
Linebacker Derrick Moncrief is poised to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.
With Jayden Dalke nursing a back injury, Nelson Lokombo is to start at safety versus Calgary.
The offensive tackle spots will be manned by Jerald Hawkins (left) and Colin Kelly (right), both of whom are to make their debuts with the Roughriders. Hawkins had missed the first two games while dealing with a family issue in Louisiana. Kelly, who has 90 regular-season games of CFL experience, is eligible to return after serving a two-game suspension.
A shoulder injury to Juwan Brescacin has opened the door for rookie receiver Kendall Watson to make his first start. He will play slotback.
A hamstring injury to Albert Awachie has resulted in Bruno LaBelle taking over at fullback.
Miles Brown, a healthy scratch last week, is listed as a front-line defensive tackle in place of DeMarcus Christmas (knee).
The Roughriders have also activated linebackers Lukas Ruoss, Matt Dean and Brian Harelimana, along with defensive back Kosi Onyeka. Ruoss and Dean are to make their CFL debuts. Harelimana and Onyeka were signed earlier this week.
As well, Peter Godber (illness) is a game-time decision. If he isn’t able to play, Calgary-born Logan Bandy will start at centre.
