Stampeders set up for another statement game against perfect-so-far Roughriders

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Vernon Adams Jr. was asked after last week’s Stampede Bowl win if beating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was a measuring stick of sorts for the Calgary Stampeders.

Let’s see … a five-win team in 2024 upending a Grey Cup finalist of last year?

A roster that’s undergone a major overhaul surprising a Canadian Football League perennial powerhouse?

Seems like a no-doubter the victory last Thursday night at McMahon Stadium was a statement game — one with shock value for some onlookers — in favour of the upstart Stampeders.

“That’s up to you guys to decide,” said Adams, matter of factly to media members, following the decisive 37-16 decision. “You know … we just take one game at a time. We’ve got a good opponent next week, and we got the Winnipeg again the week after that.

“So … you know … we’r just gonna enjoy this and watch the film and just get better from it.”

In other words, Adams and the Stamps are choosing to take the triumph in stride, although their vibrant celebration with the inaugural Stampede Bowl trophy and oh-so joyous positivity post-game spoke volumes about what the result meant to the turned-over team.

They were feeling like world-beaters, it seemed.

And that’s fair given the Stamps — now 3-1 — took down the unbeaten Blue Bombers — also 3-1.

“We know what we’ve got to do,” said Stampeders defensive back Derrick Moncrief, whose pick-six in the fourth quarter sealed the victory. “It’s just another football game, though. Each and every week, we’ve got to show up and show out — and that’s what we’re doing.”

WHO’S NEXT? RIDER PRIDE

That brings on another unbeaten for the Stamps in the Saskatchewan Roughriders — at 4-0 — Friday night at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field (7 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge).

Another litmus test, perhaps?

The Red and White boss isn’t as coy as his QB about what it would mean to measure up against another strong CFL West Division foe with a win.

“We know if you can try to, you’ve got to beat teams ahead of you, and both (Winnipeg and Saskatchewan) were ahead of us at the time,” said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “And I’m a big believer in take care of your business at home.

“I’m sure the Riders are getting that message, as well.

“But if you can win at home and then steal some games on the road, obviously that can help.”

A road victory this Friday would certainly do wonders for the Red and White, rocketing them up to the top of the West standings.

Shock and awe would likely follow among the Stamps faithful.

After all, the Roughriders — albeit having been a bit of surprise themselves — boast a perfect record so far and head into Friday fresh from a week off the CFL schedule.

“I do know they’re a good team that’s coming off a bye-week,” cautioned Dickenson. “And the bye was pivotal for us (ahead of beating the Blue Bombers). I thought we had good energy. And not only we were able to really come up with some new stuff, but we were able to break our tendencies.

“So … yeah … we know we’re going to be in tough, but we’re looking forward to it.”

HOW DO THE STAMPS GET IT DONE AGAIN?

Continued dominance by the defence is the best way to ensure the win.

It’s been impressive the way that unit has come together so quickly.

That and the continued connection of QB Adams with the Stamps offence seem to be the building blocks to victory.

And … really … Adams’ play might have been overlooked — and overshadowed by the pick-sixes rocked by the Stamps — in the Stampede Bowl.

The lasting impression surrounding Adams off the night was him finally finding paydirt through the air with his first touchdown pass of the season.

But that was who-cares compared to how he marched the Stamps to a eye-popping 29-6 halftime lead.

“I know his teammates made light of (his first passing TD) in the (post-game) award ceremony,” Dickenson said. “I’m sure as a quarterback … yeah … you want to get that touchdown.

“But he’s been playing well. He’s getting better. So he did a good job handing the blitz and made some huge throws with pressure on him. He found the open guys when he had to. And offensively, I thought we kept Winnipeg off-balance. (Offensive coordinator) Pat (DelMonaco) called a really good game.”

Indeed, the veteran quarterback was mint when he needed to be, keeping a couple of lengthy scoring drives going early in the game by hitting receivers while on the move.

The kind of mobility and execution is not something seen at McMahon from the home-team QBs in the last few years, and it is certainly welcome.

WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THE RIDERS?

That said, former Stampeders QB Jake Maier was the winner as the Roughriders starting QB in a 37-18 victory over the BC Lions during the CFL’s Week 4.

Maier managed his way to the positive result by going 13-of-23 for 170 passing yards and one touchdown.

However, it appears as if starter Trevor Harris is back under centre for Gang Green come Friday.

The aging QB was sidelined with a head injury during after taking a big hit in Week 3 and sat out the win versus the Lions. Concussion protocol kept him out.

“I’m happy we did (sit Harris),” Riders head coach Corey Mace told Postmedia earlier this week. “We’ve got a lot of faith in that quarterback room, and we felt confident that we’d be able to go out and still execute at a high level. And now that he’s been completely cleared … I think it was just the right decision.

“You don’t want to play with that one. Every team has a protocol to follow, and we just made sure we did it the right way.”

SHORT YARDAGE

Stampeders WR Clark Barnes (ankle) left the game after last Thursday’s first-drive touchdown reception and is sidelined for now … Others who didn’t practise Tuesday for the Red and White were RB Jesrun Antwi (ankle) and DB Ben Labrosse (hamstring) … P Fraser Masin was limited in the practice at McMahon … The Stampeders have released DL Cedric Wilcots II. The American lineman appeared in two games this season for the Stamps and did not record any stats.

tsaelhof@postmedia.com

http://www.x.com/ToddSaelhofPM