Tommy Stevens knows his role with the Calgary Stampeders.
Tuck and run for a yard or two or three.
Tuck and run to move the chains.
Tuck and run for a touchdown.
“I just do what I’m coached to do,” said Stevens, with a big grin.
Pretty straightforward stuff, that is.
No passing involved for the once-star quarterback of the NCAA’s Penn State Nittany Lions and Mississippi State Bulldogs.
“I did against Montreal,” corrected Stevens, recalling his 1-for-1 CFL passing day back in early July — a 24-yard connection with veteran receiver Marken Michel.
“For sure, the passing plays don’t come often for me. If that comes down the line, I’ll be happy to embrace that. But what we are doing is working.”
Indeed, the get-the-ball-and-fall-forward play-call — oversimplified by that explanation — is working for the Stampeders’ short-yardage unit captained by Stevens.
Case in point, the titan-like QB took nine snaps Sunday and converted eight of them for first downs — a vital part of the Stamps’ 27-23 comeback win over the Toronto Argonauts at McMahon Stadium.
The only play the 6-foot-5, 241-pounder didn’t convert was on a second-quarter second-down-and-two-yard call. But he remedied that on the next take from centre, when he took the ball and leaned over for a three-yard gain at midfield.
As busy as ever was Stevens in the victory.
“Maybe the Saskatchewan game my first year in 2022?” said the third-year CFLer, when asked if he’s ever seen more field time for the Red and White. “Actually … there was a good one against Sask. here last year in ’23, but I don’t remember the exact numbers.
“But … yeah … (Sunday) was a healthy dose of calls for me.”
Whether he’ll see as much in Week 10 CFL action is a question for play-caller Dave Dickenson as the Stamps (4-4) rematch the Argos (4-4) in the back half of this home-and-home set Friday evening at Toronto’s BMO Field (5:30 p.m. MT, TSN, QR Calgary).
Most certainly, however, that all depends on how the game and each drive and series evolves.
“We needed a lot in the second half (Sunday),” Stevens said. “We didn’t play as well as we’d hoped early.
“But I’m really happy that I was called on and we were called on as a unit and we were able to execute.
“It does feel good,” continued the 27-year-old Indianapolis native. “They’ve always spoken pretty highly of the short-yardage unit. They put a lot of emphasis on the short-yardage unit — and it’s clear. I feel like we’re the best at it in the league.
“We spend a lot of time working on it. It’s a lot of our Day 3 (in a practice week). And we were able to show that (Sunday).”
Stevens racked up 23 yards on those nine Sunday hauls for a 2.6-yard average.
Season-long, he’s rolled up an average of 3.4 yards on 30 carries and 103 rushing yards — third most on the team — proving he’s truly more than just a fall-forward ball-carrier. He even drove his way for game-high six yards on one call against the Argos and has a 39-yarder to his credit on the campaign.
However, he’s mostly sent out on the field to get one or two yards — whatever it takes to move the chains.
“Third down is a huge play, especially in our league when you’ve got plays off the quarterback sneak,” Stevens said. “You look around the league … there’s teams that aren’t as good at it and you can see how it alters the game. So we take a lot of pride in it.
“And it’s not just me. It’s the guys up front and the receivers, running backs and tight ends … everybody that’s included. Even the coaches.”
Of course, even better for the unit is when it ends in a touchdown — something that Stevens has celebrated on four occasions this year.
Only fellow QB running threats Chris Streveler, of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Dakota Prukop, of the Edmonton Elks, have scored more rushing TDs — with six apiece.
But even after touching the ball nine times Sunday, a usual lean-in for a major wasn’t in the cards for the nice guy dubbed ‘Touchdown’ Tommy Stevens by the voice of the Stampeders, Mark Stephen.
“I did my role (Sunday),” Stevens said. “This is my job, and when touchdowns come, they do. But I would say these plays are just as important as scoring touchdowns.”
True that, Tommy.
And just as thrilling — at least for him.
“Honestly, I get excited whatever the play call is,” Stevens said. “Because I want to have a role and help and do whatever I can to help the team win.
“So any time we get in those situations, I kind of inch myself onto the field, so that maybe I can persuade Coach to run short-yardage. Especially if it’s like we did (Sunday), when it was second-and-three or second-and-two.
“Because I know we’re going to have opportunities because of how we are up front and how we block at the receiver and running back positions. So I’m going to have a chance to get those first downs.
“I’m glad that we’ve put a lot of emphasis on that, because it’s such an important play in the league.”
SHORT YARDAGE
The short week between games means the Stamps’ only full practice came Wednesday at McMahon … Both DL Kwadwo Boahen (back) and DL Elliot Graham (hamstring) look to be getting back to good health after both practised fully Tuesday … Two others on the injured list in DB Ben Labrosse (ankle) and DB Nick Statz (groin) also fully practised Wednesday after being limited in Tuesday’s session.