Calgary and Ottawa both hope for more fireworks on offense Thursday night when the Stampeders visit the Redblacks in the Canadian capital.
The Stampeders (0-1) lost 25-15 to the visiting BC Lions in last Thursday’s season opener, with a sparse home crowd of fewer than 18,000 fans witnessing an offensive effort of just 235 yards.
The Redblacks (0-1) fared even worse in Saturday’s 19-12 road setback to the Montreal Alouettes, finishing with 220 yards of offense and five turnovers.
“Obviously the performance wasn’t good enough,” Ottawa coach Bob Dyce told TSN 1200 on Monday. “I think each and every one of us, the coaches definitely included, feel we need to be better.”
Nick Arbuckle started at quarterback for the Redblacks in place of the injured Jeremiah Masoli and completed 19 of 35 passes for 176 yards with three interceptions. Arbuckle will be under center again Thursday.
“Obviously, one of our focuses is we got to win the turnover battle,” Dyce said. “As much as we want to be aggressive, we have to be aggressive at the right time and in the right reads.”
Devonte Williams led Ottawa with 36 rushing yards on 11 carries and Quan Bray caught three passes for a team-high 58 yards against Montreal.
Calgary also struggled to move the ball against BC. Jake Maier completed 20 of 36 passes for 154 yards with one touchdown and one pick, Ka’Deem Carey rushed for 39 yards on seven totes and Tre Odoms-Dukes caught seven passes for 75 yards and a score.
“No panic at all,” Stamps receiver Reggie Begelton said. “I promise you … don’t panic at all. We’ll show you guys within the next few games what we can do.”
Maier said Calgary was only a couple plays away from making it a game against the Lions.
“If (those plays) go another direction and you execute them, you feel a little bit different about yourself,” he said.
Carey left the Week 1 loss with a toe injury and was ruled out for Thursday along with three teammates: defensive backs Natrell Jamerson (knee) and Nick Statz (foot) and linebacker Silas Stewart (toe). Williams (hamstring) will sit out for Ottawa, as will defensive back Sherrod Baltimore (knee), offensive lineman Dontae Bull (leg), receiver Siaosi Mariner (hamstring) and running back Ante Milanovic-Litre (ankle).
–Field Level Media