QB Bonner, Calgary Stampeders lit up by host Elks in Labour Day Replay

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The Labour Day Replay was simply that for the Calgary Stampeders …

A replay of Labour Day — domination by their arch-rival — however with one wrinkle within the conventional CFL tilt.

The Stampeders turned to Logan Bonner to start out at quarterback in looking for a spark towards the host Edmonton Elks.

Nevertheless, there was solely a flicker seen on the scene.

“Properly … we’re looking for solutions, and there’s none proper now,” Stamps GM/head coach Dave Dickenson admitted to reporters following the 37-16 loss at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.

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“There’s loads of issues that dropping groups do, and we did loads of them.”

Certainly, for Dickenson & Co., Saturday was identical to Labour Day, with the Elks having fun with all the enjoyment within the contest.

The hosts began out gradual however quickly discovered their new-found operating recreation to tear off large chunks of actual property, resulting in a whopping 213 game-long.

Then QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson discovered his rhythm within the pocket and chipped in with a pleasant passing effort to supply fairly the balanced assault — once more simply as they did six days earlier in Calgary.

“We’re not bettering, so we’ve acquired to discover a manner,” continued Dickenson. “Whether or not that’s totally different schemes or no matter that’s, we’ve acquired to seek out an opportunity. And we tried some various things. Some guys stepped up and had some good video games. However others actually weren’t at their greatest, and similar with coaches.”

MBT completed with 215 passing yards and two touchdowns — towards one interception — on a 15-of-25 effort.

In the meantime, counterpart Bonner went 21-of-36 for 284 yards and no TDs.

Sadly, Bonner’s 5 interceptions — particularly his first three — caught out as a serious distinction within the affair.

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“He’s competing arduous,” mentioned Dickenson of his younger QB. “However he gave the ball away an excessive amount of. It’s very tough when you’re behind loads. However guess what? That’s sports activities.

“So … yeah … I’d say you could possibly by no means win a recreation with that many turnovers — and it actually got here true (Saturday).”

A powerful early drive manufactured by Bonner resulted in an end-zone interception, with Loucheiz Purifoy choosing off the QB’s hurried cross with ease.

After that, it was a tricky day for the second-year Stamps pivot, who was named the starter after Jake Maier threw 4 INTs within the 35-20 Labour Day loss to the Elks.

That mentioned, Bonner did present promise — of types — in his debut begin, and the American pivot remains to be studying the three-down recreation. And he actually discovered a reference to veteran pass-catcher Reggie Begelton, who hauled in 12 balls for 123 yards.

Bonner was higher underneath much less strain within the fourth quarter, as effectively, however the Stamps want quarterback energy when the sport is on the road.

Nevertheless, QB points aren’t the one causes they’ve sunk in a hunch.

“Proper now, we’re not soccer crew — we’re not doing loads of issues effectively,” Dickenson mentioned. “We’re doing little or no effectively. And so the important thing for me is simply level it out and take a look at to verify we’re at the very least working in direction of one thing. Small victories, sadly, is all we will take a look at proper now.”

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The night time additionally noticed Dedrick Mills return to his Crimson and White beginning position for 65 speeding yards, and he was robust early on with 51 on 10 first-half carries.

However simply because it was six days earlier within the Labour Day Traditional, the one first-half factors for the Stampeders got here off the foot of dependable kicker René Paredes — field-goals of 32 and 42 yards.

Parades additionally knocked residence the one factors for the Stamps within the third quarter, on a 46-yarder.

And the one guests’ scoring within the fourth got here on a Mike Rose interception return for a TD that lined 84 yards.

The loss is the fourth straight for the Stamps — now 4-8 — and their fifth in six video games and knocks them into final place within the CFL’s West Division. That’s the place the surging Elks — now 5-8 — used to reside till profitable this two-game set over their rivals as a part of their very own five-in-six streak to the optimistic.

And so the Stampeders’ playoff hopes are fading except they’ll discover a technique to flip the season round.

“We’re coming to work tomorrow,” added Dickenson. “That’s all I can ask of the blokes. However there’s no solutions proper now, and we’ve acquired to seek out some solutions. That’s the place I’m at.

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“I must step again and determine what’s going to doubtlessly resonate and who’s going to hear and who’s prepared to place within the arduous work.

“But it surely’s not going to vary in a single day, although.”

SHORT YARDAGE

Paredes performed in his 223rd consecutive CFL recreation Saturday and surpassed Edmonton legend Dave Cutler to maneuver into eighth place on the league’s all-time point-scoring record. The Stamps veteran has 2,243 and counting … It didn’t assist the Stamps that neither OL Bryce Bell (calf) and WR Ishmael Hyman (hamstring) — each game-time choices — dressed for the competition … The Stamps return residence to play the CFL powerhouse Montreal Alouettes (10-2) subsequent Saturday at McMahon Stadium (5 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary).

tsaelhof@postmedia.com

http://www.x.com/ToddSaelhofPM

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