Mitchell to McDaniel worked in the past
The Calgary Stampeders’ dominance over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is no secret.
As a team, the Stamps are 14-1 against the Bombers since the 2009 season and have never lost at Investors Group Field in four outings.
Individually, the combination of quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and slotback Marquay McDaniel likely start drooling when they see the Bombers on the schedule. Let’s start with the quarterback. In seven career starts against the Bombers, Mitchell has thrown 12 touchdown passes and piled up four 300-yard games, including the very first start of his career way back in 2013 where he sliced and diced his way to 376 yards and three touchdowns.
McDaniel’s profile against the Bombers is similar.
Three weeks ago, the savvy receiver was the offensive catalyst, producing seven receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in the 36-22 win at McMahon Stadium.
Last September at Investors Group Field, McDaniel went off 159 yards on nine catches.
In two meetings in 2013, McDaniel posted 10 receptions for 170 yards and a pair of scores.
Most of those instances have been a case of McDaniel eating up man-to-man coverage.
Other than that, the Stampeders’ leader in receptions this season can’t really explain it.
“It’s kind of just worked out that way,” McDaniel said. “They have been a man team and I don’t think any SAM (linebacker) in this league can check me. When we see man-to-man, I know Bo is definitely confident in me going against somebody. That could be it.”
Mitchell doesn’t have an explanation for their individual success, either. Or maybe he just doesn’t want to give away the secrets.
“I think just probably coincidence that it’s worked out that
When we see man-to-man, I know Bo is definitely confident in me going against somebody. That could be it.
way,” Mitchell said. “I’m a guy who never wants to lock into a receiver and I want to spread the ball out as much as I can. If it’s worked out that way, I think it’s just Quay matches up well against them.”
While Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson is, obviously, hoping for more of the same Thursday at IGF (6:30 p.m., TSN, News Talk 770), he says the coverage will dictate how much history repeats itself.
“I do think they have a good connection. Some games they get 25-30 yards and other games they pop for 100-plus. We’ll have to see how this one plays out.”