The Canadian Press
REGINA–Charleston Hughes wanted to remind the Saskatchewan Roughriders who runs the show in the CFL’s West Division.
The outspoken Hughes didn’t mince words following his team’s 15-9 victory over the host ‘Riders yesterday.
“Not only do we have the most dominant front four in the league, our backup defensive linemen are making just as many plays as the starters–and we had our way with [Saskatchewan] today,” Hughes said after a dominant defensive showing.
The Calgary defensive unit, led by Hughes and Ja’Gared Davis, registered five sacks, an interception at the goal line, and a forced fumble that came late in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
Davis had three sacks and Hughes had two as the Stampeders improved to 11-1-1 and clinched a playoff berth.
They also set a CFL record for 16-consecutive wins against a divisional opponent.
Saskatchewan slipped to 6-6.
“Just to be clear, [Saskatchewan’s] offence didn’t struggle today,” Hughes stressed.
“We completely shut it down.”
Calgary’s offence wasn’t necessarily sparkling, but it consistently moved the ball thanks to running back Jerome Messam, who helped set up all five of Rene Paredes’ field goals.
Messam rushed for 127 yards on 23 carries.
He wasn’t a lock to play in this game after he suffered a vicious hit to his head the week previous.
“He has been fighting it all year–he really wanted to play today,” noted Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson.
“It was a game where a running back could have a decent game because they basically committed to taking away the pass,” he added.
“It was important for us to have that hammer inside and he played well.”
Saskatchewan quarterback Kevin Glenn, who sat out the previous week’s game with a sore right (throwing) hand, returned to the starting lineup and was under pressure much of the game.
He completed 12-of-19 pass attempts for 127 yards and was intercepted once.
Trailing 15-2 midway through the fourth quarter, Brandon Bridge replaced Glenn and rallied the ‘Riders.
He hooked up with Devon Bailey for a 14-yard touchdown to make it a six-point game with about five minutes to go.
The next time Bridge got his hands on the football, he marched the ‘Riders into Calgary territory.
That’s when the Stampeders’ defence made the game’s biggest play.
“They were driving pretty good later in the game when Bridge came into the game,” Hughes noted.
“We knew we had to step it up and do something about it, and we did and we shut them down.”
Davis again found his way to the quarterback and while he was taking Bridge to the turf, he stripped the ball and recovered it to secure the victory.
Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell conceded his team’s victory wasn’t a flashy one, but still counted for an important two points nonetheless.
“Saskatchewan plays very well at home and they play with momentum, their fans are into it all day,” he remarked.
“We did a heck of a job stopping that today,” Mitchell added. “We didn’t allow them to get rolling.
“It wasn’t our biggest and best game, but we played smart, manageable football and pulled it out.”
Mitchell completed 24-of-32 pass attempts for 222 yards.
The ‘Riders had won five of their previous seven games and a win yesterday could have moved them into a tie for third place in the division.
Nonetheless, Saskatchewan is very much in a position to challenge for a post-season berth.
“We’re a playoff team right now,” offered offensive lineman Derek Dennis.
“The direction this team is going, people are starting to respect us as a football team.
“We wanted another ‘W’ but we’ll get another crack at them in October,” he added.
