Inside the CFL: Saskatchewan smoke couldn’t smother Stamps’ fire

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on July 17, 2025.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

t’s an ill wind that blows no good,”

wrote John Heywood in 1546. He also observed,

“There is no fire without some smoke”.

Both were true in Saskatchewan last weekend.

With air quality seriously compromised, the league postponed the Rider/Stampeder game from Friday night until Saturday afternoon. By that time the smoke had largely cleared.

Considering the visitors won 24-10, head coach Corey Mace might have wished the contest was put off indefinitely.

“First of all, I want to show love for the fans who stuck it out last night,” he said. “That was unbelievable although kind of expected around here.”

And the ill wind that blows no good? Concession sales were through the roof. They needed that. The Riders gave out $50 vouchers to season ticket holders costing a million dollars.

The delay was a real challenge for the Stampeders also, but less expensive. Hotels are heavily booked for football games and in addition, the annual Craven Country Thunder Music Fest was on.

Accommodation was found in some hotels as well as the University of Regina dorms.

“It was tough,” said Calgary coach Dave Dickenson.” We were talking about our pre-game meal, were we going to play, what are we going to do. The Roughriders brought sandwiches for us, they had pizzas ready for us. Considering all the troubles we went through, it’s great to get the win.”

But the game’s the thing.

“We got whumped,” Mace admitted, “That’s what it is. That’s a good football team that we played today. We didn’t really look like ourselves defensively outside of the turnovers.

“This might have been the first game of the year where I thought the physicality and the trench battle was not in our favour…”

Indeed, the visitors dominated the line of scrimmage to the extent that running back A. J. Ouellette was held to nine yards, and the rushing total to 16.

It is important to keep in mind, the Roughriders have been hard hit by the injury bug. Gone from the offensive line are veteran Canadians Sean McEwan and Phillipe Gagnon as well as import Trevon Tate. Home brew receivers Kian Schaffer-Baker and Samuel Emilus and American Shawn Bane Jr. Were out.

Defensively, Regina native cornerback Tevaughn Campbell was in sick bay with D-lineman Caleb Sanders. If all that wasn’t bad enough, the league’s leading returner Mario Alfred had to leave the game with an injury.

One man’s mishap is another’s good fortune.

The Riders finally got a thorough look at their promising young receiver Joe Robustelli who arrived in Regina last October.

The son of New York Giant Hall of Famer the late Andy Robustelli (6-foot-2, 220 lbs.) had his first start last Saturday, leading his team with 11 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown.

“It’s bittersweet,” he said, “but it feels great to go out there and do my job.”

Calgary’s No. 1 choice in this year’s draft, Damien Alford, wouldn’t be overshadowed with six catches for 156 yards and two majors in his first CFL start.

His first TD reception was simply spectacular. He has speed, size (6-foot-6, 226 lbs.) and strength. If they stay healthy, Robustelli and Alford should star in the league for years to come.

The previous week Calgary knocked off the undefeated Blue Bombers, last Saturday, the undefeated Roughriders.

Complemented Rider QB Trevor Harris, “They came out with their hair on fire and they did a great job.”

The no longer under-rated Stampeders are now tied for first place with the Riders as they prepare for their rematch in Winnipeg tomorrow night. The forecast is for rain.

Mace looks on the bright side.

“We’re not going to go undefeated this year, we’ve got a lot of football ahead of us. Do we have a glass jaw or not? I’m sure we’ve got the right people. Continuity is important. I think we figured out a lot of things last year about bouncing back.”

Up next, Saturday, the B.C. Lions. There are seven former Stampeders in the Rider starting lineup.

Mace cut his coaching teeth on Dave Dickenson’s staff as did his offensive coordinator Marc Mueller.

And, of course, Calgary’s special teams coordinator is former Saskatchewan head coach Craig Dickenson.

It’s a great rivalry, something I love about the CFL.

The teams meet at McMahon August 23 and possibly in the Western Final on Nov. 8.

Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 53 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.

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