The Blitz is on as the Lions prepare for the Riders
Canadian quarterback Buckley shines for Stamps in rare opportunity to play
It was basically a full quarter and then some. Aside the exhibition game, it was the most I’ve played … it felt good … it was the perfect opportunity for me to get into the game and put a few scoring drives together. Stampeders’ Andrew Buckley
CALGARY — Make no mistake, Andrew Buckley knows his position on the Calgary Stampeders depth chart at quarterback.
Directly behind Bo Levi Mitchell, of course.
But, the fact that the University of Dinos product was able to play as much as he did against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday — a perfect 10-for-10 passes for 106 yards, the most in his young Canadian Football League career — is just the type of experience he needs.
And, no disrespect meant to their struggling opponents who eventually lost 60-1, the fact the Stampeders had a solid handle on the game at halftime (39-1) made the situation ideal for Buckley to test out his arm in live action.
“Going in with a 38-point lead, the pressure is off a little bit so you can just go there and relax and play your game and just rely on what you’ve been working on in practice,” the 24-year-old was saying as the Stampeders’ packed their bags to catch the charter plane to Toronto on Wednesday morning. “It was basically a full quarter and then some. Aside the exhibition game, it was the most I’ve played … it felt good … it was the perfect opportunity for me to get into the game and put a few scoring drives together.”
One of which was Buckley’s first-ever CFL touchdown toss to, who else, former Dinos teammate Anthony Parker which was the first Dino-toDino pass for a major score in Stampeders history.
“That made it special,” said the Calgarian with a grin. “My first touchdown pass is special, regardless, but to go Dino-to-Dino … I don’t think it’s ever been done so it’s pretty cool.”
Since turning professional in 2016, Buckley, a seventh round selection of the Stampeders in the 2015 CFL draft, has been used in short-yardage situations and played all 18 games last season.
The former Rundle College graduate played in the West Final and in the Grey Cup and became the first Canadian quarterback to score a touchdown in a Grey Cup since Russ Jackson did it in 1968.
And, of course, it’s never long before a Canadian quarterback is asked the age-old question … why are there never any Canadian quarterbacks in the CFL?
Buckley intends to make it his mission to end the stigma.
“Yeah, that’s the goal — just to be another quarterback out there,” he said. “Whether you’re from Canada or the States, it really shouldn’t matter who is slinging the ball. There’s obviously a lot of talk right now because there’s only two of us in the league.
“But I’m trying to slowly make it more normal.”
Playing live on TSN will do that, especially after all the airtime Buckley received during Saturday’s game.
“Lots of family support and my friends were watching, obviously,” Buckley said with a chuckle. “It was pretty cool to get into the lockerroom and see a bunch of text messages from them. It was nice to know people are watching and supporting.”