Quarterback Jack Meyer is happy Calgary Stampeders After an emotionally draining week, there was finally something to cheer about. Campbell Fair's five field goals helped the Stampeders beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a CFL preseason game on Friday.
Running backs Peyton Logan and LeVante Bellamy scored touchdowns for Calgary in a game that was delayed a half-hour due to inclement weather in the area.
The Stampeders had two receivers seriously injured in practice last Tuesday.
Star receiver Malik Henry tore his patellar tendon and needed surgery to end his season. He had just recovered from a torn Achilles tendon at the beginning of last season.
Receiver Auden Tate tore his Achilles tendon in the same practice.
In the first quarter against the Bombers, when Meyer was throwing to opponents or watching from the sidelines, he saw the receivers playing hard.
“As far as being competitive, as far as playing a mission, I felt like we did that tonight,” Meyer said. “When you have those two things going for you, man, you can really take on anything that comes your way. They’re going to do whatever it takes, and we’re going to be ready for it this year.”
Winnipeg is trying out punt and kick returners this season because the team can't afford veteran Janarion Grant, who signed with the Toronto Argonauts.
When Blue Bombers running back Chris Smith returned a pass 109 yards for a touchdown, he caught the coaches’ attention.
Emails needed on the day
Top news from Canada and around the world.
Smith's score at 12:38 of the second quarter had 24,297 fans cheering on the Kansas player at the newly renamed Princess Motorsports Arena.
“All week, all training camp, I was waiting for my opportunity,” Smith said. “God finally gave me my opportunity. Once I got it in my hands and saw it with my own eyes, everything else fell into place. This opportunity is here.”
Winnipeg also scored on a 42-yard field goal by Sergio Castillo.
The Cowboys returned several starters on offense and defense, while the Bombers kept most of their regulars on the bench.
Meyer opened the game, and three other promising players also took turns at center. Experienced kicker Rene Paredes did not play.
Winnipeg was benched for offensive stars like quarterback Zach Collaros, all four starting receivers and running back Brady Oliveira, who missed training camp with an injury but is expected to play in next week's season opener.
Fair hit field goals from 30, 34, 27, 15 and 18 yards and had two field goals. Calgary also got a safety.
Chargers receiver Cam Echols led all receivers with eight catches for 160 yards.
Calgary head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson said Eccles is likely to come out on top.
“We were looking for one guy to take the lead. I think he did,” Dickinson said. “Overall, I thought we looked pretty fast.”
CFL teams must trim their rosters by 10 p.m. ET Saturday.
“Training camp is winding down pretty quickly,” Bombers coach Mike O'Shea said. “I mean, certainly, we've got a lot of answers that we're going to go through tonight and Saturday morning and make sure we give these guys the best we can in terms of evaluation. They deserve it.”
Meier led the Stampeders with a 30-yard pass to Fair at 9:30 in the first quarter. He completed four of five pass attempts for 92 yards.
Matt Hilts took over for Meyer in the second quarter and completed 5 of 13 passes for 101 yards.
Calgary led 3-0 at the end of the first period, 11-7 at halftime and 18-10 at the start of the fourth period.
The Bombers used quarterbacks Terry Wilson and Darren Grainger as the team searches for a third passer behind Collaros and Chris Streveler.
Five minutes into the second quarter, the Fairs led 6-0 before Smith’s touchdown gave the home team the lead.
Calgary added another point with 1:39 left in the quarter when linebacker Micah Teitz pulled down Grainger in the end zone. Fair then kicked a 27-yard field goal with a minute left to make it 11-7.
Lightning and rain poured into the area at halftime, delaying the second half.
Quarterback Logan Bonner organized the offense, and Logan ended the offense with a 16-yard touchdown run at 3:24 of the third quarter.
Castillo’s 42-yard field goal made it 18-10 at 7:29.
Fair scored his fourth goal 33 seconds into the fourth quarter from 15 yards out.
After Wilson was intercepted by Calgary defensive back Tyler Richardson, quarterback Kyle Van Trice took control, culminating in Fair kicking an 18-yard field goal 7:00 into the game to make the score 24-10.
Bellamy gained one yard and scored at 8:33.
Next step
The Bombers will host the Montreal Alouettes in their season opener on Thursday.
The Stampeders will face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats next Friday in their season opener.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
