Stampeders aim to rebound from rare loss with Bombers in town

For the first time this season, Bo Levi Mitchell and the Calgary Stampeders are dealing with defeat.

Calgary (7-1) fell from the ranks of the unbeaten Sunday night following a 40-27 road loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The good news for the Stampeders is they don’t have time to think about it as they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday afternoon.

Calgary is 4-0 this season at McMahon Stadium, having outscored their opponents 104-54 there. But as dominant as the Stampeders have been this year, they’re just two points ahead of the Edmonton Eskimos (6-3) heading into their traditional Labour Day home-and-home series.

Mitchell finished 22-of-36 passing for 275 yards with four TDs against the Roughriders. But he was sacked five times and threw a pick-six in suffering just the 11th loss in 76 career regular-season starts.

Winnipeg (5-4) is also coming off a loss, a 44-21 home decision to the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night. The lopsided loss was surprising as the Bombers’ defence came into the game leading the CFL in sacks and interceptions while being tied with Calgary for most turnovers forced. Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris was 29-of-39 passing for 361 yards and a TD. William Powell ran for 106 yards — his second straight 100-yard performance — and a touchdown.

The Redblacks’ defence did its part, registering four sacks and an interception.

Winnipeg starter Matt Nichols completed 25-of-35 passing for 291 yards with two TDs and an interception, but that did not stop the Bombers faithful from booing the veteran quarterback.