Time is running out on a 20-year tradition for the Red and White.
In mere hours, the Calgary Stampeders could be eliminated from the Canadian Football League playoff race, marking the first time in 19 seasons — plus one COVID-scratched campaign — that the team will miss out on the post-season.
A win by the Saskatchewan Roughriders over the host Edmonton Elks on Saturday afternoon (5 p.m., TSN) would officially remove the Stampeders from the 2024 CFL playoff picture.
The Stamps advanced their fate late Friday night with a 32-15 loss to the host BC Lions, with the decision leaving them winless in seven-straight contests, adding to a lousy 4-10-1 record.
Three turnovers by quarterback Jake Maier, including two returned for touchdowns, on consecutive fourth-quarter drives spelled the difference on the evening, as the Lions turned a four-point lead into a 21-point advantage in a span of just 5:02.
There were bright spots for the offence Friday: Running back Peyton Logan topped 100 yards, with 15 carries for 89 and three catches for 29 more; Wide receiver Ishmael Hyman hauled in a 10-yard TD strike from Maier for the only major of the first half; and veteran pass-catcher Reggie Begelton had a team-high 73 yards on four catches, including 53 on a TD connection with back-up QB Matt Shiltz late in the game, to move him six receiving yards shy of 1,000 on the season.
Here are three takeaways from Friday’s Week 18 loss at BC Place:
Timely turnovers … again
The game was in doubt through three quarters with the Stamps playing for their lives and playing pretty well.
But then came the fourth frame and two timely turnovers that broke the game the way of the BC squad.
With the Lions up 12-8 with just over 10 minutes remaining in a tight tilt, Maier threw a ball intended for crossing hands-man Hyman that was picked off by Lions defensive lineman Mathieu Betts, who took it the opposite way for the 70-yard pick-six.
Then just 82 seconds later, Maier’s ill-advised pass to the flat — a backwards one — was knocked down by Lions defensive back T.J. Lee III, who gathered the ball and ran 27 yards to paydirt for the scoop-six.
The two defensive scores by the Lions completely changed the complexion of the game, putting the Stamps suddenly behind the eight-ball by two-plus scores.
A third turnover not long after — an interception that went through the hands of veteran receiver Marken Michel — led to three more points for the Lions on a Sean Whyte 23-yard field-goal.
Late-game turnovers — including fumbles, interceptions and third-down failures — have been a big bugaboo, happening far too often for the Stamps on the season.
Dynamite defence
When the defence is on, the Stamps are in games, just as they were Friday.
Brent Monson’s unit allowed just 269 yards on the night, including only 73 by the Lions run game.
By comparison, the Stamps offence rolled up 371 yards.
Three sacks of highly regarded QB Nathan Rourke helped pave the way for the Stamps D, with defensive tackles Julian Howsare — with two — and Mike Rose recording those.
Unfortunately, Howsare, Rose & Co. couldn’t force a turnover, while the Lions’ crew did on four occasions — including a Hyman first-quarter fumble — turning Maier’s error-free game through three quarters into a nightmare in the final frame.
The Stamps defence was without a few key players, too, as veteran defensive back Branden Dozier (shoulder) and defensive tackle Josiah Coatney (knee) were sidelined by injury.
No matter, though because those who were on hand kept the team in the game throughout, further proving that when the defence is running strong, it can be élite.
Next step to avoid elimination out of Stampeders’ hands
Friday night’s loss likely seals the deal for the Stamps from reaching the playoffs for a 19th consecutive season.
With the victory, the Lions — at 8-8 — ensured themselves that they’ll finish ahead of the Stamps in the standings.
The only way the Red and White can now reach the post-season is by winning out while the Riders lose their remaining three games. And in doing that, the Stamps would also have to beat the Riders in the regular-schedule’s final-week match-up by more than nine points to win the season series between the West rivals to earn the tiebreaker.
That means if the Riders (7-7-1) win Saturday, the Stamps will be eliminated.
A Riders victory over the Elks (5-10), who are also hanging on to playoff hopes by a thread, would guarantee playoff spots for the both the Riders and the Lions and ensure the three West Division berths go to the Riders, Lions and first-place Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-6).
On X: @ToddSaelhofPM