CFL Preview - Calgary (2-7) at Winnipeg (6-3)
From The Sports Network
By Ted Michael, CFL Editor
DATE & TIME: Friday, August 22, 7:30 p.m. (et).
GAME NOTES: The Calgary Stampeders better hope Marcus Crandell is back and soon. While the Stamps starting quarterback this season remains on the sideline with a hamstring injury, his replacements continue to struggle.
The latest effort for Calgary resulted in a 30-7 loss to the BC Lions last Friday night. The McMahon Stadium fans weren?t in too good a mood, as they watched Kevin Feterik put up decent numbers, but failed to score when the offense had the chance.
Feterik completed 18-of-24 passes for 253 yards, one touchdown and one interception. While the BYU grad continues to draw admiration for his toughness, his inability to throw the long ball meant an easy night for the BC defense. In perhaps the best indication of how the evening went, the longest drive for Calgary was six plays. At the end of the first half, Calgary had just six first downs, and up until that point, had gone nine quarters without scoring a touchdown.
The furthest penetration into BC territory by Calgary was the 37-yard line, and the lone TD came on a 47-yard pass to Darnell McDonald, just the first TD in six quarters that Feterik has played. In fact, this makes things looks even uglier for Feterik. In fifteen quarters leading the offense this season, Calgary has scored just 55 points, or an average of 14.7 points per game.
The Blue Bombers on the other hand, are well rested, having last played Tuesday, August 12 when they beat Ottawa 34-29. The Winnipeg crowd saw Khari Jones complete 21-of-32 passes for 257 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
The Bombers grabbed a 21-10 halftime lead, helped by Dave Donaldson?s 63-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Jones scored on a nine-yard run, and the rest of the first-half points came from kicker Troy Westwood.
After a safety and a Jones TD pass to Charles Roberts, the Blue Bombers saw their 30-13 lead slowly evaporate. Ottawa failed to convert a two-point conversion that would have tied the game at 31, then, Winnipeg regained their composure, marched down the field, where Westwood booted a 29-yard field goal with 24 seconds left. Ottawa, on their last attempt to win the game, saw a pass intercepted by Winnipeg linebacker Brian Clark, and that was the game.
The Stampeders may be getting some help for the Blue Bombers tilt. Wideout Kamau Peterson, who played in Calgary during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, then went to the Green Bay Packers camp, was released by the Packers last week. In 36 games, Peterson had 99 receptions for 1,396 yards and seven TD?s. He could take the spot of McDonald, who injured his left knee in the loss to BC. Lawrence Phillips, who broke his hand July 1, may also return to the line-up.
The numbers: in the last 10 regular season games, Calgary holds a 7-3 edge. In Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers are 1-4 in the last five. Calgary has lost five in a row.
Keys to the game: Calgary hasn?t rushed for 100 yards since they beat Hamilton back in week four. They ran for just 37 yards in the loss to BC, with the longest run being just four yards. They have to run the ball to keep the Winnipeg defense off balance. But, with the Blue Bomber run defense the second best in the league (72 yards allowed per game) can Calgary do it? Phillips may help, but, until they get a better, more consistent quarterback, it?ll be a long night for Calgary.
Sports Network predicted outcome: Winnipeg 31, Calgary 16.
