Eskimos win round one in a classic Alberta shootout

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The recap from TSN.ca

The turning point: There were about six different turning points in what could easily end up being the CFL’s game of the year – it so far is just that – but the biggest turning point came on the kickoff after the Stampeders touchdown. Sandro DeAngelis pooched a short kickoff that went all of 43 yards.  Eskimos kick returner Tristan Jackson actually muffed the original fielding of the kick, but with the first wave of Stampeders tacklers changing their focus from tackling Jackson to recovering the loose ball.  The shift in focus actually became a huge break for Jackson as he quickly picked up the ball and and scampered quickly for a 35 yard return to the Calgary 43 yard line.  Three plays later Ray lobbed a 23 yard touchdown pass to Fred Stamps for the Eskimos win.

The game ball goes to: There were so many great offensive performances in this game and we’ll go over those in a moment, but we’ll give the game ball to Ricky Ray who walked away tonight as the winning QB.  28 out of 37 passing for 342 yards and three touchdowns!  He also five times for 52 yards, including a great 27 yard touchdown run where he looked like a carbon copy of Henry Burris.  Speaking of Burris, hard to believe his 30 of 45 passing for an eye popping 479 yards and three touchdowns wasn’t enough for a win.  Stamps wideouts Jeremaine Copeland and Nik Lewis had 182 and 132 yards receiving respectively.   Esks running back Arkee Whitlock had 106 yards on nine rushes.  All great performances, but it was Ray’s that stood out.

Random game thoughts: Henry Burris became the Stampeders all-time passing leader in the second quarter, passing Doug Flutie’s mark of 20,551 yards  …  The Eskimos had 2 turnovers in the game while only getting one fumble return putting their turnover ratio at -12 for the season.  They still don’t have a defensive interception this season  …  The Stampeders lead the league in points off of turnovers with 98.  They had 6 points in tonight’s game  …  Stamps had won four of their last seven visits to Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium before tonight’s game  …  Eskimos running back Jessie Lumsden underwent successful shoulder surgery this past Tuesday and will be out for the rest of the season  …  Both teams will play each other two more times this season three weeks from now for the Labour Day classic and rematch the following Friday.

Final grades
Stamps Offense: A
Stamps Defense: C-
Stamps Special Teams: C+

Eskimos Offense: A
Eskimos Defense: C
Eskimos Special Teams: A

Endzone to Endzone: Argos Andrus ok without Arland

Endzone to Endzone”  is a collection of local CFL news and views featuring a story from each CFL city and will run each Wednesday.

We start in Toronto where Argos head coach Bart Andrus sticks by his call to get rid of Arland Bruce despite the recent struggles on offense:

The Argos, who beat Winnipeg when Bruce was suspended, have lost two in a row and have looked completely lost on offense.  “We won one with Arland and lost a couple without Arland,” Andrus said. “I’m convinced we can win games without Arland. It’s not even a thought.”

- Toronto Sun:  Better off without Bruce? Andrus still thinks so

More links after the jump…