The Calgary Stampeders (4-5) will aim to protect their perfect home record when they host the Ottawa Redblacks (5-2-1) on Thursday night to kick off Week 11 CFL action. McMahon Stadium has been a fortress for the Stamps this season, as they’ve gone 4-0 in front of their home crowd. However, they’ll face a stiff test from an Ottawa team riding a four-game unbeaten streak.
Game Details: – Date/Location: Thursday, August 15 / McMahon Stadium, Calgary, Alberta – Kickoff Time: 9:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM MT – TV: TSN (Canada), CFL+ (USA)
The Stampeders enter Week 11 looking to bounce back from a 39-25 road loss to the Toronto Argonauts. At 4-5, Calgary sits third in the West Division and will be hungry to climb back to .500. While their overall record is middling, the Stamps have been unbeatable at home, going 4-0 at McMahon Stadium this season.
Key Players:
1. Jake Maier (QB) – 2,355 passing yards, 14 TDs, 7 INTs – Coming off a 373-yard performance vs Toronto – Leads all QBs with 11 red zone touchdowns
2. Reggie Begelton (WR) – 46 catches, 477 yards, 3 TDs – Needs 78 yards to reach 5,000 career receiving yards – Had a season-high 104 yards last week
3. Marken Michel (WR) – 40 receptions, 434 yards, 4 TDs – Team leader in receiving touchdowns
4. Demerio Houston (DB) – 4 interceptions this season (13 career) – 2 INTs in last two games
Keys to the Game:
1. Protect Home Turf – Calgary is 4-0 at McMahon Stadium this season – Must maintain home field advantage
2. Establish the Run – Hill and Peyton Logan provide a solid 1-2 punch – Open up play-action opportunities for Maier
3. Contain Jeremiah Masoli – Ottawa QB making first start of the season – Pressure and confuse the veteran signal-caller
4. Win the Turnover Battle – Calgary’s defense has been opportunistic – Avoid costly mistakes on offense
The Stampeders’ perfect home record will be put to the test against a surging Ottawa squad. While the Redblacks have been impressive lately, Calgary’s home field advantage and offensive firepower should be enough to secure a narrow victory. Expect a closely contested battle that could come down to the wire, with the Stamps making just enough plays to emerge victorious.
Mark Perry is the founder and editor of CFL News Hub. A dedicated and experienced football analyst, he has been providing comprehensive coverage of the sport since 2018.