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WINNIPEG — Quarterback Jake Maier was glad the Calgary Stampeders had something to cheer about after an emotionally tough week.
Campbell Fair’s five field goals helped lift the Stampeders to a 31-10 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in CFL pre-season action Friday.
Running backs Peyton Logan and LeVante Bellamy recorded touchdowns for Calgary in a match that was delayed a half hour because of severe weather in the area.
The Stampeders had two receivers go down with serious injuries in practice last Tuesday.
Star receiver Malik Henry requires season-ending surgery after tearing his patellar tendon in his knee. He had been making a comeback from an Achilles tendon tear early last season.
Receiver Auden Tate suffered a torn Achilles during the same practice.
Maier saw the receiving corps play hard when he was slinging them balls in the first quarter against the Bombers or watching from the sidelines.
“In terms of the competitiveness, in terms of an assignment-sound type game, I felt like we were there tonight,” Maier said.
“And when you have those two things going for you, man, you can really live with anything that happens. They’re going to do everything they can and we’re going to be ready to go this year.”
Winnipeg is auditioning punt and kick returners this season as the team couldn’t afford to keep veteran Janarion Grant, who signed with the Toronto Argonauts.
Chris Smith made coaches take notice when the Blue Bombers running back took a punt return 109 yards for a touchdown.
Smith’s score at 12:38 of the second quarter had 24,297 fans cheering for the Kansas product at the newly renamed Princess Auto Stadium.
“All week, all camp, I’ve just been waiting on the opportunity,” Smith said. “And the Lord finally blessed me with it. Once I get hands on it and got eyes on it, it was all air and opportunity.”
Winnipeg also got points from a Sergio Castillo 42-yard field goal.
The Stampeders dressed a number of offensive and defensive starters, while…
Source link : https://ca.news.yahoo.com/fair-paces-stamps-31-10-040738066.html
Author : The Canadian Press
Publish date : 2024-06-01 05:23:22
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