MATCHUPS AT A GLANCE
BY THE NUMBERS
Henry Burris is 3-9-1 in his life against the Stampeders, with whom he won his one and only Grey Cup as a starting quarterback. That gives him a .231 winning percentage against the Stamps, and that is by far and away his worst mark against any CFL squad. Stampeders pivot Bo Levi Mitchell is 4-1-1 against the Redblacks.
GREY CUP HISTORY
The teams have only met twice in the Grey Cup, with a win apiece:
On Nov. 27, 1948 in Toronto, Calgary won 12-7.
On Nov. 30, 1968 in Toronto, Ottawa prevailed 24-21.
INSIDERS SAY
CFL coaches and managers give their anonymous thoughts on the match:
Calgary will win IF they beat man coverage, but Ottawa’s DBs just played a heck of a game versus the best receiver duo in history …
The Redblacks will play press man and blitz the daylights out of Bo Levi (Mitchell), getting the ball out of his hands quickly. If they play a similar game (like against the Eskimos), they’ll be in it …
Ottawa’s defence must, must, must limit the running back runs. No need to worry about the quarterback runs. Bo pulls to throw, not run. Easier said than done, but make it a pass game and challenge those receivers. Yes, there will be some flags, but in the big scheme don’t let Bo sit there and pick you apart …
If I’m betting money, the Stampeders win a close one. I wouldn’t be surprised, though, if Ottawa won with the underdog role. You can’t keep telling a group of men how they’re gonna get killed, beat by 20 points. It’s pro sports. They’ll respond and play above their talent level …
Calgary will try and run the ball, which historically they’ve had trouble doing in championship games …
Ottawa’s defensive backs are aggressive. Unafraid. They have the best ball skills
In order for the Stampeders to beat man coverage, they need to do deep shots and do rub/pick routes, especially on first-and-10 and second-and-medium …
The Calgary defence needs to continue to stop the run. The difference is (Henry) Burris can be trouble with his legs, which adds to the run total — an element Bo rarely brings to his game …
Calgary will have to defend the quarterback draw, zone read and Henry’s big arm.
SEASON SERIES
Here’s how the teams fared against each other this season: July 8 at Ottawa, 26-26 Sept. 17 at Calgary, 48-23 Calgary For Calgary, defensive end Charleston Hughes was a force, registering four sacks and a forced fumble over the two contests. Offensively, slotback Marquay McDaniel caught 11 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. For Ottawa, Chris Williams had three touchdown catches in the first meeting, but he suffered an ACL tear late in the season and won’t play. Slotback Greg Ellingson was his usual solid self, hauling in 13 footballs for 183 yards and a touchdown.
INJURY REPORT
Calgary: LB Deron Mayo, C Pierre Lavertu Ottawa: LT SirVincent Rogers, WR Chris Williams, RB William Powell