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Calgary Stampeders aim to make hay at home against B.C. Lions
🇨🇦 Canada /Sports

Calgary Stampeders aim to make hay at home against B.C. Lions

From Global News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The Calgary Stampeders and B.C. Lions are set to play a crucial CFL game Thursday to gain traction in the West Division.
  • Calgary aims to improve its home record, having won only once at McMahon Stadium this season, while B.C. seeks to move out of the division cellar.
  • Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke is nearing a career milestone of 100 touchdowns, aiming for consistency after returning from injury.

The Calgary Stampeders and B.C. Lions are both looking to improve their standing in the CFL's West Division as they face off Thursday at McMahon Stadium. The Stampeders, currently 4-5, are aiming to gain ground on the third-place Winnipeg Blue Bombers, while the Lions, at 3-5, are trying to escape the division cellar.

We’ve been inconsistent throughout the first half of the season and haven’t really played three-phase football yet. Those are the things we need to improve on, but I think each phase has taken steps.

— Buck PierceLions head coach Buck Pierce on his team's performance.

Calgary is playing the first of three consecutive home games after a 2-1 road trip. Head coach Dave Dickenson emphasized the importance of winning at home, stating, "We need to beat the B.C. Lions in order to get to where we need to get to and start protecting our house." He added, "We only have one win here at McMahon. We need to start winning at home and making sure that teams that come in here leave with a loss."

We need to beat the B.C. Lions in order to get to where we need to get to and start protecting our house.

— Dave DickensonStampeders head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson on the importance of the upcoming game.

The Lions are coming off a 33-30 loss to the Toronto Argonauts but recently secured a 27-24 victory against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. This win marked the return of quarterback Nathan Rourke, who had missed three games due to injury. Rourke threw for 370 yards and two touchdowns in his return. He acknowledged the team's inconsistency, saying, "I just didn’t feel like I was consistent enough, so hoping it’s a different story tomorrow." Rourke is also on the verge of a significant career milestone, with 98 touchdowns, nearing the 100-touchdown mark held by only one other Canadian quarterback in CFL history, Russ Jackson.

We only have one win here at McMahon. We need to start winning at home and making sure that teams that come in here leave with a loss.

— Dave DickensonStampeders head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson on the team's home record.

Adding to the roster news, the Stampeders activated Canadian receiver Ajou Ajou for Thursday's game. Ajou, previously released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, served a CFL suspension for violating the league's gender-based violence and harassment policy. He was signed by Calgary in July upon his reinstatement.

I just didn’t feel like I was consistent enough, so hoping it’s a different story tomorrow.

— Nathan RourkeLions quarterback Nathan Rourke on his performance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Global News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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